HOW COULD RIYADH MUNCIPALITY RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM BY UPGRADING THE SQUATTER SETTLEMNTS?
The first initiative was to from a committee representing Riyadh Municipality, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the National Guard, the Armed Forces and the Central Statistical Office, The committee undertook a census to enumerates the shack type shelters. A plan of action was subsequently adopted. Some examples may be warranted:
1 - When the Military College was founded, the guards and laborers working there occupied the adjacent land on the west erected their shelters. They were asked to announce to the courts and in the newspapers their claim to the land, and the Municipality did not object to their action. Rather, the municipality prepared an urban plan that would integrate the site with the adjacent built-up areas. The Government gave to the squatters titles to the land plots they occupied, and expropriated, with full compensation to the new owners, the space it required for streets, schools, parks and other public service utilities. The rest of owners were given permission to build permanent houses provided without all amenities.
2 - Harat (neighborhood) Al-Jibs was a squatter settlement occupied by laborers who worked for the Gypsum Company and their relatives coming from the rural or desert areas. This squatter settlement was treated exactly like the aforementioned settlement.
3 - Behind the Military Hospital and other military complexes, squatter settlements were erected by the guards and people who worked there. Te settlement was small and its occupants were given titles to the land, which was expropriated with full compensation. Then the area was utilized as a garden.
4 - Al-Ghallah was the largest squatter settlement in Riyadh with 8,000 inhabitants, They came mainly from Jizan, in the south west of the Kingdom. Because of their socio-cultural status, it was not easy to deal with them. By the wisdom and influence of their leaders, the squatters were convinced to agree to an alternative proposal. They were shown a plan for their new district after re-development. According to the plan, the area was enough to accommodate one-fourth of the existing population because some shelters were only 50 square meters each. The new homes were at least 300 square meters each, on wide streets and benefiting from public service facilities. Riyadh Municipality added a large tract to the existing squatter settlement area. Because the original squatters came from one region, and the community remained closed to outside entry, The Riyadh Municipality decided to introduce a large number of people of different backgrounds. They were in the employ of Riyadh Municipality as drivers and laborers. Deeds were withheld by Riyadh Municipality until evidences were shown that the squatter shelters were erased. The new owners went to the Real Estate Development Fund and obtained loans to build modern homes provided with all public services.
5 - Thousands of shacks were erected within and outside the perimeters of the National Guard's land. The squatters were in the employ of the National Guard. The squatter settlements were becoming dangerous because the occupants, being national guardsmen, were usually armed. Te National Guard completed a huge housing project for its officers and privates. Many privates refused to evacuate to their newly assigned homes, because non-guardsmen occupants of the squatter settlement will be exposed, and be asked to evacuate the area, which was legally owned by other citizens. The a major campaign was organized involving officers of the National Guard. The site was eventually evacuated and the shelters erased. The land was returned to their lawful owners.
The are examples of squatter settlements in Riyadh. Their original emergence was recognized as an imperative need and Riyadh Municipality's approach to eliminate them was based on humanitarian considerations. So, the solution was satisfactory to all parties involved.
أول جمعية سجلت بوزارة الشئون الاجتماعية، ظلت تعمل لأكثر من نصف قرن في العمل الخيري التطوعي،في مجالات رعاية الطفولة والأمومة، والرعاية الصحية، وتأهيل المرأة وغيرها من أوجه الخير.
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