‏On May 09, 2017 HRH Prince Faisal Bin Bandar, Chairman of High Commission for the ‎‎Development of Arriyadh (HCDR), chaired HCDR’s second meeting of 1438H‎ in the ‎presence of HRH Prince Muhammad bin Abdulrahman bin Abdul Aziz, Vice-Chairman of ‎HCDR. ‎‏ ‏

In a statement to press, HRH, Chairman of HCDR, said that the meeting approved ‎important metropolitan plans and projects and was briefed on the progress of Riyadh Metro ‎works, which advance as planned, with 54% of work is now complete. ‎‏

HRH, Chairman of HCDR, also referred that some metro vehicles have been shipped to ‎Riyadh, commending the world-class standards adopted in this project, which became ‎possible thanks to the generous support provided by the Custodian of the Two Holy ‎Mosques, may Allah support him, HRH Crown Prince and HRH deputy Crown Prince, may ‎Allah protect them. ‎‏ ‏

HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar added that the meeting reviewed the results of a “life ‎satisfaction survey”, conducted by HCDR, which revealed that the residents of Riyadh city ‎are significantly satisfied with their life quality. The gathering, according to HRH Prince ‎Faisal, also approved a number of groundwater level reduction projects across the city to ‎improve life quality in a number of metropolitan neighborhoods (Laban, Tuwaiq, Ad-Dar Al-‎Baida, and vicinity of Al-Mansoriyah Cemetery) affected by this problem. ‎‏ ‏

A life satisfaction survey to assess life quality in Riyadh city

According to HE Engr. Ibrahim bin Muhammad Al-Sultan, member of the High Commission for Development of Arriyadh and President of ‎Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA), the meeting was briefed on the results of a life satisfaction survey to assess life quality in Riyadh city. The key results of the study included:

• 76% of the surveyed sample said that life quality in Riyadh city today is better than it was five years ago.
• 88% of the surveyed sample ‎have better expectations about the next five years, especially after the launch of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
• 84% of the surveyed sample ‎are satisfied with public safety, 77% are satisfied with the electricity services, and 75% are satisfied with parks and recreational facilities
• Availability of affordable housing solutions represented a key issue that negatively affected the satisfaction with metropolitan life quality, followed by availability of employment opportunities, health care services and metropolitan traffic (48%, 36%, 31% and 26% of the surveyed sample ‎are satisfied with these factors respectively)
• 98% of the surveyed sample ‎feel safe on the roads and in the public spaces

A Comprehensive plan to transform Riyadh into a “Smart City”

The meeting approved the outcomes of the comprehensive plan to transform Riyadh into a “Smart City”. The plan seeks to expand the use of the systems and solutions based on information and communication technologies in various aspects of life in the city. The plan includes inauguration of a “Smart City Platform “ to achieve integration among the existing smart services, and launch new initiatives and applications that meet the needs of Riyadh’s residents and visitors. ‏

The plan developed an action plan that comprises over 100 initiatives and services, including:

• Metropolitan interactive map
• Smart parking app
• Service smart meters app
• Digital signage service
•  Smart shopping service 

‏The meeting was also briefed on the progress achieved thus far in the implementation of the “Traffic Signal Management and Control Project in Riyadh”, carried out by HCDR in coordination with the Riyadh Municipality and the General Directorate of Traffic in Riyadh Region. The project relies on “Transsuite” solution to empower the city with the latest smart transport systems and traffic signal management capabilities. ‏

To date, 185 of the project’s 420 intersections across the city have been completed and operated. ‏

Furthermore, the meeting reviewed the results of the earlier meeting of the Executive Committee for Transport in Riyadh City, which discussed a number of topics, including the proposed solutions for the frequent traffic congestion on the Wadi Laban Bridge (a cable-stayed bridge). ‏

The meeting received an update on the progress achieved so far in the implementation of King Abdul Aziz Project for Public ‎Transport in Riyadh (Metro and Buses). The works of Riyadh Metro project are carried out in over 225 locations along the six-line network that extends for 176 kilometers across the city, with 54% of work is now complete. ‏

The project’s achievements include completion of 60 kilometers of bridges, 44 kilometers of tunnels and 20 kilometers of tracks. ‏

Bus production commences

As part of “Riyadh Bus Project”, MAN and Mercedes have started manufacturing buses, while Trapeze continues supplying and installing the communication and traveler information systems. ‏

Similarly, works of the project’s first phase continues including infrastructure of the bus rapid transit (BRT) lines, and the project’s 7600 bus stops. ‏