Saudi Arabia's Dammam Metropolitan Area joins UN global quality of life initiative
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Saudi Arabia's Dammam Metropolitan Area has joined the UN-Habitat's Global Quality of Life Initiative, aiming to enhance urban planning and resident well-being.
- The initiative uses a framework of nine pillars and 43 sub-indicators to measure quality of life, providing data for decision-making and benchmarking against global cities.
- This move aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and reflects the Sharqia Development Authority's commitment to global best practices in sustainable urban development.
The Dammam Metropolitan Area in Saudi Arabia, encompassing the cities of Dammam, Al-Khobar, Al-Bayda, and Dhahran Center, has officially joined the United Nations Human Settlements Program's (UN-Habitat) Global Quality of Life Initiative. This integration positions the region among global cities committed to adopting and measuring best practices in urban living standards.
The Sharqia Development Authority announced that the metropolitan area's participation as a single urban agglomeration will enable a unified approach to assessing quality of life. This integrated strategy will utilize global indicators to support urban planning and improve services, directly contributing to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The initiative is structured around a comprehensive framework comprising nine main pillars and 43 sub-indicators. These metrics cover critical aspects of urban life, including the environment, mobility, housing, health, and governance. The data generated will serve as a reliable resource for guiding decision-making processes and benchmarking the Dammam Metropolitan Area's performance against other major cities worldwide.
This commitment to the Global Quality of Life Initiative underscores the Sharqia Development Authority's dedication to adopting international standards in urban planning and sustainable development. The ultimate aim is to boost the region's competitiveness and significantly improve the quality of life for its residents.
Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.