Madinah records 82% satisfaction rate in quality of life, survey says

RIYADH: As part of its push to enhance livability under Vision 2030, Madinah has recorded an 82 percent satisfaction rate in the quality of life, marking a 16 percent rise over the previous finding, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.
The new findings, released by the Madinah municipality, reflect significant public approval of recent improvements to parks, public services and infrastructure.
More than 75,220 citizens and residents participated in the survey, according to the SPA.
Driven by smart lighting, safe pedestrian pathways and improved public facades, satisfaction with the urban landscape rose to 78 percent — an 18 percent increase.
Road quality satisfaction jumped to 62 percent, up 27 percent, following enhancements in road design and lighting systems.
General cleanliness ranked among top-performing areas, with satisfaction reaching 81 percent.
Neighborhood cleanliness stood at 71 percent, while satisfaction with environmental sanitation rose to 61 percent, a 28 percent increase, fueled by improved pest control, rainwater drainage, and faster municipal response times.
The survey also showed 69 percent satisfaction with waste management, specifically the handling of construction and demolition debris.
Some 71 percent of residents expressed satisfaction with direct municipal services, and 64 percent with indirect services, supported by the region's smart service portal and digital assistant.
Public amenities recorded a satisfaction rate of 68 percent after the municipality added more than 14 new parks and expanded green space per capita to 2.1 sq. meters.
Community engagement also featured in the survey, with 68 percent of residents satisfied with their role in shaping local decisions through open forums and channels of direct communication.
The municipality said the results underscored its commitment to transparency and resident-focused development, and will be used as a reference point for future initiatives aimed at raising the quality of life across the region.
The municipality has undertaken efforts to improve the city's infrastructure and tourism appeal.
Madinah ranked 88th globally on Euromonitor International's 2024 index of the world's top 100 city destinations, and was seventh globally on the Tourism Performance Index.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Asharq Al-Awsat

an hour ago

• Asharq Al-Awsat

Shipping Company Maersk Temporarily Pauses Haifa Port Calls

Container shipping company Maersk said on Friday it had temporarily paused vessel calls at Israel's Haifa port amid regional tensions. The Danish company said it did not experience any further disruptions to its scheduled operations in the region. Israel has been hitting Iran from the air since last Friday in what it describes as an effort to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran has denied plans to develop such weapons and has retaliated by launching counterstrikes on Israel. On Thursday, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said it had launched combined missile and drone attacks at military and industrial sites linked to Israel's defense industry in Haifa and Tel Aviv.

Arab News

11 hours ago

• Arab News

How Saudi Arabia's native wildflowers play a vital role in sustainability

JEDDAH: In the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia, a humble, yet remarkable, wildflower makes its mark each spring — Rumex vesicarius, known locally as hummayd. Native to the Arabian Peninsula, this fast-growing plant thrives in sandy soils and plays a significant role in both the natural ecosystem and local culinary traditions. 'Hummayd is an annual herbaceous plant native to Saudi Arabia and widely distributed across its regions,' Arwa Alotaibi, a native plant researcher, told Arab News. 'Scientifically known as Rumex vesicarius, it belongs to the Polygonaceae family, commonly referred to as the dock or sorrel family.' Hummayd is well adapted to desert conditions and is often found flourishing in arid environments. Its triangular green leaves and red or green flowers distinguish it from other wild plants. It typically grows to around half a meter in height and remains evergreen throughout its life cycle. Due to its drought tolerance and minimal water requirements, hummayd is suited to Saudi Arabia's harsh urban and desert climates, said Alotaibi. 'It is particularly abundant in the southern regions of the Kingdom, where rainfall is more consistent, followed by the Hijaz region, Najd, and the northern areas.' For generations, hummayd has held a special place in Saudi culinary traditions. The plant can be eaten raw, with bread, or incorporated into tangy stews, Alotaibi said. In the Jazan region, it is especially prized for its unique acidic flavor. 'Rich in vitamin C, the plant aids digestion and helps reduce water retention, making it both flavorful and nutritious.' Its cultural relevance is captured in a well-known Saudi proverb: 'Spring has arrived with the coming of hummayd,' signifying the plant's role as a seasonal marker of renewal and abundance. Beyond its culinary and cultural value, hummayd is also ecologically beneficial, serving as vegetative ground cover, helping to stabilize hillsides, rehabilitate degraded land, and enrich green open spaces. 'Its presence supports biodiversity in desert ecosystems, providing a food source for animals such as camels, sheep, and rabbits,' Alotaibi said. As such, with its resilience, versatility, and deep cultural roots, hummayd is more than just a wildflower — it is a symbol of spring, sustainability, and Saudi heritage. During spring, the Kingdom bursts with a bouquet of delicately fragranced wildflowers, blanketing the normally sandy landscape with a beautiful color palette. The typical blooming period starts from February to April, with slight variations depending on plant type and geographic elevation. Some flowers may bloom as early as January, especially in the warmer southern regions, while others in elevated areas flower later. 'Wildflowers bloom across Saudi Arabia each year, with blooming seasons varying by region depending on plant type and climate,' Alstine Van Joshua, co-founder of the Saudi Botanical Society, told Arab News. 'In general, wildflowers bloom during spring, especially after winter rains when temperatures become moderate and there is sufficient soil moisture.' In the northern regions, areas such as Jouf experience a burst of wildflowers following winter rainfall, while in the southern highlands, areas such as Asir and Al-Baha, known for their cooler climate and high elevations, support a wide range of wildflower species. Najran and Jazan also boast rich plant diversity, especially among the region's deep valleys and high mountain areas. Even in the Kingdom's eastern and central deserts, wild desert flowers grow in sandy and wadi environments, typically after prolonged rainfall. These plants are highly adapted to the harsh climate and require minimal water, making them an effective tool in combating desertification and restoring ecological balance. 'Native plants contribute to biodiversity by providing natural habitats for various creatures, such as birds and bees,' said Van Joshua. 'Their value extends beyond the environment to include cultural and heritage dimensions, as they are traditionally used in folk medicine and decoration during social occasions, especially in regions such as Najran, Asir, and Jazan. 'Reviving this vegetation reflects a deep commitment to protecting nature, improving quality of life, reducing carbon emissions, and achieving net-zero goals. 'It also supports the creation of a more resilient and sustainable environment that secures natural resources and green spaces for future generations.' • Hummayd has triangular evergreen leaves and blooms in red or green flowers. • It grows mostly in southern Saudi Arabia, but is found throughout the Kingdom. • The plant is rich in vitamin C and aids digestion. • It can be eaten raw, with bread, or cooked as a sour stew. The preservation of local vegetation is closely linked to environmental sustainability, and is considered one of the main pillars of reforestation projects and the rehabilitation of degraded lands. Indeed, these plants play a vital role in stabilizing soil, preventing erosion, enhancing rainwater absorption, and restoring soil fertility. In doing so, they support biodiversity by providing natural habitats for wildlife and contribute to ecosystem recovery and stability. 'In the face of relentless drought, blazing sun, and cold desert nights, they stand with quiet grace, unyielding, patient, and strong beyond measure,' Munira Alhazani, CEO of the Saudi Botanical Society, told Arab News. 'These resilient plants reflect our own journey, the emotions we carry, the challenges we face, and the courage that blossoms in our darkest moments. 'It is our passion, a steadfast love for life, that fuels our onward journey. Yet beneath this strength lies a fragile hope, a whisper of fear that in a fleeting moment of weakness, they might tire, fade, and quietly disappear.' Efforts to protect the Kingdom's wildflowers align closely with the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. The Saudi Green Initiative aims to plant 10 billion trees within the Kingdom and rehabilitate 40 million hectares of degraded land, while also improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions. On a regional scale, the Middle East Green Initiative seeks to plant 50 billion trees, including 40 billion outside the Kingdom, in what is considered the largest reforestation project of its kind. The initiative aims to combat desertification, reduce emissions, and enhance the quality of life throughout the region. 'Local vegetation plays a direct and foundational role in achieving the objectives of these national and regional initiatives, as well as in supporting Saudi Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals,' said Van Joshua. 'Through these efforts, the Kingdom affirms its pioneering role in environmental protection — locally and regionally — while striving to build a more sustainable future and ensure a better quality of life for future generations.'

Arab News

12 hours ago

• Arab News

Pesticides workshop held in AlUla

ALULA: A workshop, titled Safe Handling of Palm and Date Pest Pesticides, was held on Friday in the AlUla Governorate. The event, which was organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates, in collaboration with the Royal Commission for AlUla, took place in the agricultural sector of the commission's headquarters. The workshop targeted farm owners, agricultural workers, and those interested in the sector. It aimed to raise awareness about safe pesticide use while enhancing efficiency in agricultural pest control in a way that improves production quality while ensuring environmental safety. The workshop was part of a series of different guidance programs and workshops implemented by the National Center for Palms and Dates throughout the year in many regions of the Kingdom. They bid to support the agricultural sector's development and enhance sustainability practices.