Details of the first phase of the AlUla South urban development programme are being released by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), with applications for building permits and commercial activities in AlUla South to begin on March 15.
AlUla South will be the first step on a journey to drive sustainable urban development in the area in line with the vision for AlUla.
The project highlights RCU’s commitment to serving the local communities of AlUla through a series of community-based programmes and initiatives, all of which will prioritise and drive human development.
The first phase is being rolled out in line with the 12 strategic principles announced in the AlUla Charter, which place citizens and residents of AlUla at the centre of RCU’s urban development plans:
A new design studio has also been established - under the supervision of the planning team at the Commission - to help residents’ architects adopt these new guidelines, while providing expert advice on sustainable urban development.
The first phase of building permits will include parts of Alazizia and Alsalam neighbourhoods in the south of AlUla. Landowners in that area will be allowed to build residential or commercial properties.
The CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla, Amr AlMadani, said: “Opening permits for residential and commercial building in AlUla South is a first step towards unlocking growth while enhancing quality of life and the overall aesthetic of AlUla for the community.
“This is delivering on the vision of our leadership, RCU’s Chairman His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al-Saud, and RCU’s Governor, His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah Al-Saud.
The people of AlUla have been at the heart of RCU’s development plans since it was established. We have launched a series of programmes and initiatives aimed at enhancing quality of life for local communities, including training programmes for 3,500 AlUla community members and more than 900 jobs created, and we are now building a high-quality urban landscape to match.”
The move follows a number of development projects aimed at improving AlUla’s tourism infrastructure, including the expansion of Prince Abdulmajid Airport to welcome 400,000 visitors annually and elevate its status as a logistics hub.
AlMadani added: "We are working on elevating AlUla as a model city for tourism, economic growth and human development, making AlUla an example to follow.”
The masterplan and development program will include multiple streams focusing on infrastructure, telecommunications and transportation systems, in addition to improving the quality of life and level of services provided to citizens and tourists alike.
This will be accompanied by the provision of new training and career opportunities in sectors that serve the strategic direction of the governorate.
