Green Riyadh Program Unveils the Opening of Ghudhwana: A Transformed Tributary of Wadi Hanifa Following Environmental Rehabilitation
Green Riyadh Program has proudly announced the successful completion of the environmental rehabilitation of Ghudhwana, one of the tributaries of Wadi Hanifa, which has been in progress for the past 34 months. This transformative initiative has seen the planting of over 15,000 trees and shrubs, turning the area into a stunning natural haven. Spanning an area of 5.2 kilometers, the park now offers a tranquil green space that meanders through the neighborhoods of Dhahrat Al Badi’ah, Al-Suwaidi, and Al-Zahra in southwest Riyadh. The rehabilitation effort aims to enrich the lives and livelihoods of the surrounding communities, providing them with expansive recreational and entertainment spaces.
The rehabilitation and afforestation efforts in Ghudhwana were conducted in alignment with sustainable environmental practices. This involved addressing the environmental issues surrounding both the Wadi and its periphery, where extensive cleaning operations were carried out, waste was removed, and flood control channels were refined to restore their natural state, thereby mitigating the risk of flooding. Additionally, channels for permanent water flow were established to prevent the formation of swamps within the Wadi.
Green Riyadh Program has planted locally sourced trees and shrubs that were carefully selected to thrive in the Wadi environment, ensuring their sustainability. The rehabilitation efforts in Ghudhwana focus on the efficient use of recycled irrigation water, applied in quantities tailored to the needs of the trees planted in Wadi Hanifa. This approach aims to enhance the rate of afforestation in the city and achieve natural environmental benchmarks in the valleys, ultimately contributing to lower temperatures and providing a natural refuge for visitors and residents alike.
Pushing towards the development of social areas, benches and seated zones have been developed covering over 65,000 square meters of the Wadi with 13 children’s play areas and various sports facilities, alongside more than 700 parking lots. Additionally, shaded pathways spanning 22 kilometers have been constructed along the valley, aimed at encouraging individuals to achieve an average of over 6,000 steps per day, promoting a healthy walking experience for all age groups. Water channels have been designed to ensure a continuous flow and natural drainage within the valley, complemented by the construction of nine bridges over these water bodies to facilitate movement and walking between neighborhoods. This initiative positively impacts the residents of surrounding areas while utilizing local materials in the construction processes to enhance sustainability.
Green Riyadh Program is on a mission to rehabilitate and afforest valleys covering an area of 148 square kilometers, adhering to the highest standards of urban design and sustainability. This initiative is focused on increasing green spaces to accommodate the social needs of the growing population. Furthermore, Green Riyadh Program is dedicated to implementing projects that enhance residential neighborhoods through afforestation, the creation of parks, the greening of main roads and public squares, and the allocation of green areas in government and public buildings, including ministries, agencies, and universities. In addition to the planting of trees and shrubs, the development work further includes the irrigation networks spanning 1,350 kilometers throughout the city to efficiently support these modern green spaces.
Green Riyadh Program is one of Riyadh’s megaprojects, launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud under the initiative of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister on 19 March 2019. This initiative plays a significant role in achieving the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to plant 10 billion trees across the Kingdom. Specifically, Green Riyadh Program aims to plant 7.5 million trees in the city, increase vegetation cover to 9% of the city’s area, raise the per capita share of green space from 1.7 square meters to 28 square meters, and contribute to lowering temperatures and improving air quality by reducing pollution and dust.
