RCU, UN-Habitat Engage AlUla Residents to Enhance Neighborhood Walkability and Quality of Life

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), in partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA), organized an exploratory assessment walk in AlUla Governorate as part of "Urban October" to integrate community perspectives into urban development and enhance pedestrian accessibility.

 The initiative brought together 15 local women in the Al-Sukhayrat district near Villa Hegra. Participants evaluated the urban terrain across key criteria—including safety, pedestrian comfort, accessibility, and shade provision—mapping priority areas for municipal intervention to support the goals of the Quality of Life Program and Saudi Vision 2030.

 The event is part of the year-long AlUla Walkable Neighborhood Programme, running from November 2025 to October 2026. The program has delivered a walkability and livability indicators framework encompassing 40 benchmarks across five dimensions, an operational roadmap featuring 35 implementation steps, a specialized street design manual, and the launch of the AlUla Urban Lab to pilot urban projects in real-world settings before wider deployment.

 Participant feedback will guide forthcoming pilot interventions under the Urban Lab, including the urban upgrading of the Villa Hegra area, shaded corridors to mitigate heat stress, and safe, landscaped pathways connecting schools and mosques.

 RCU reaffirmed its commitment to developing sustainable, human-centric urban landscapes in collaboration with international partners, balancing community needs with the preservation of AlUla's cultural and natural heritage.