The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing announced that the total area of vacant land under development and in circulation in the Eastern Province amounted to approximately 146 million square meters, a figure that reflects the growing impact of the white land and vacant property fee system in stimulating urban development and improving land-use efficiency within urban areas.
The Ministry indicated that the registered areas included 49 million square meters of land for which development has been completed, and 61 million square meters of vacant land that has entered the market, in addition to 36 million square meters of land still under development, thereby promoting the utilization of unused land and supporting an increase in the urban supply in the region.
Supporting Development and Urban Projects
It noted that revenues from white land fees have contributed to supporting 16 development and urban projects in the Eastern Province, thereby enhancing the efficiency of infrastructure and municipal services and supporting the sustainability of urban development in the region’s cities and governorates.
The Ministry emphasized that these results are an extension of ongoing efforts aimed at achieving the objectives of regulating the real estate market and stimulating development within cities, thereby contributing to enhancing the balance between supply and demand, improve the efficiency of land investment, and increase the supply of urban and residential properties.
It noted that the program for fees on vacant land and vacant properties continues to play a role in stimulating development by imposing fees on land located within geographically defined areas as stipulated by the regulations, while also granting statutory grace periods to those seriously committed to developing their land in accordance with specific technical regulations, thereby helping to accelerate the pace of development and transform vacant land into effective urban projects and products that support economic and urban growth.
Providing Support to Owners of Vacant Land
She noted that the Real Estate Developers Services Center “Etmam” continues to provide support to owners of undeveloped land through an integrated digital system comprising more than 35 services covering various stages of development, and provides clear and streamlined pathways for obtaining licenses and approvals and coordinating with relevant authorities, thereby helping to accelerate project implementation and enhance the efficiency of land development within urban areas.
The Ministry emphasized that the integration of fee collection with enabling owners to benefit from development services contributes to promoting sustainable urban development, improving the efficiency of land investment, and achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aimed at building more organized and sustainable cities.
