الاثنينية ::المكتبة

مكتبة الاثنينية

HOW DID RIYADH RESOLVE THIS CRITICAL PROBLEM?

It was decided that any solution leading to the eradication of squatter settlements in Riyadh should based on a humanitarian approach. The squatters were Saudis with limited means and culture and they lived in conditions in their settlements maybe better than the conditions in the village they had left, so they accepted living in such circumstances.

With the beautiful landscape of Riyadh after development, with wide streets, extensive parks, and high standard of living, the squatter settlements became unacceptable. And with a new young generation of squatters looking for better living conditions and aspiring to share in he new welfare, where the government facilitated loans to citizens, as well as free planned plots to build news houses. Some squatters in different locations, particularly around princes and wealthy peoples' houses, were given land grants and loans to build new houses. For example, in the Oreijah 30,000 households received free plots each with a minimum of 400 sq. Meters. Oreijah covers an area of 40 million square meters, and has been leveled, planned and provided with all urban utilities. It has also several main streets, some 70 meters wide.

The problem, however, is now confined to those people in the squatter settlements who refused to move out despite not having titles to the land they occupy.