This super rich city wants to transform part of its desert into a green space.
Saudi Arabia launched the Green Riyadh project in 2019 with the aim of turning its capital into a green oasis.
The ambitious plan will enhance air quality and lower temperatures by planting 7.5 million trees across the capital, as well as aiming to make the city one of the top 100 most liveable in the world.
As part of Prince Salman’s Vision 2030, the enhancement aims to revitalise urban spaces while improving quality of life.
But the project doesn’t come at a cheap cost – with all the other major projects included in the plan, it totals around £18 billion.
“By creating green public spaces, improving air quality, decreasing power consumption, reducing temperatures, and enhancing the urban landscape of Riyadh, the project is helping residents live happier, healthier, and more sustainable lives,” according to the Vision 2030 website.
However despite the expensive costs, there will be an economic gain to the city as the project is estimated to generate around £15 billion.
The project will also aims to reduce the overall average temperature by two degrees celsius through a total of four environmental ‘megaprojects’.
By 2030, the project aims to plant trees in gardens, parks, mosques, schools and along streets, using recycled water from a new irrigation system.
With millions of people suffering from extreme heat in cities around the world, the project could be vital to averting the worst impacts of climate change over the next few decades.
Currently, temperatures in Riyadh are too high to be comfortable to live in and there isn’t much you can do to escape the heat.
In the future, the projects could mean people can enjoy the city and live there more comfortably if the improvements are successful.
If all goes to plan, by the end of the decade there will be almost one tree for every person living in the city.
The plan is one of the most ambitious in the world and will be an important part of creating habitable environments for humans amid climate change.
