All unplanned districts close to the Grand Mosque in Makkah will be removed to bring about a facelift for the holy city, according to Dr. Hisham Al-Faleh, secretary-general of the Makkah & Holy Sites Development Authority (MHSDA). "The government has given top priority to the development of unplanned districts in Makkah," he said while speaking to reporters after inspecting the Kudwa development project, which covers Kankariya, Kudai and Abushidadain districts. Spreading over an area of more than a million square meters, Kudwa is located just 600 meters away from the Grand Mosque. Al-Faleh said Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is chairman of the authority, wanted to speed up the development of unplanned districts in the Makkah region. "I am optimistic that Kudwa will attract a large number of citizens as well as pilgrims once the project is complete," he told Makkah Arabic daily. "We are seeking qualitative development of disorganized districts in the holy city," he added. During his visit Al-Faleh inspected the development plan for Kudwa. Committees have been set up to evaluate and demarcate real estate properties and establish schools and government facilities. "We have to expedite the development program making use of government support." He said the unplanned districts near the Grand Mosque offer good investment opportunities for Saudi businessmen and businesswomen. "Nowhere in the world one can find such an attractive investment opportunity," he pointed out. He said those who invest in Makkah would receive not only good profit but also special reward from Allah as they participate in the endeavor to provide low-cost housing for pilgrims. The authority will meet with owners of real estate properties in the unplanned districts to discuss ways and means to develop them. The project demands construction of housing units to accommodate families living in these districts. Al-Faleh said real estate owners in the district can also join the development project as shareholders. "We have set up a partnership center in association with the private sector to remove all obstacles facing the project and attract potential investors," he said. Meanwhile, Ali Dawood, chairman of the real estate owners' council, said Al-Faleh's visit was aimed at inspecting unplanned districts in Makkah, which the authority wanted to develop with the support of the private sector. He said the government should provide all incentives to attract investors.
