The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing revealed that the total area of unused land subject to development and currently on the market in the Medina region amounted to approximately 19 million square meters, an indicator reflecting the growing impact of the implementation of the on vacant land and vacant properties in stimulating urban development and improving land-use efficiency within urban areas, in line with the urban growth the region is experiencing.
The Ministry clarified that the registered areas included 12 million square meters of land whose development has been completed, 2 million square meters of undeveloped land that has entered the market, and 5 million square meters of land still under development, thereby enhancing the utilization of underutilized land and supporting an increase in urban and residential supply in the Madinah region.
Revenue from Vacant Land Fees
It noted that revenue from vacant land fees have helped fund nine development and housing projects in the Madinah region, thereby enhancing the efficiency of infrastructure and municipal services and supporting the implementation of high-quality projects that improve quality of life and meet the region’s population and urban growth needs.
The Ministry affirmed 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 helping to strengthen the balance between supply and demand, enhance 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 specified by regulation, while also granting statutory grace periods to owners seriously committed to developing their land in accordance with specific technical regulations, thereby accelerating the pace of development and transforming vacant land into functional urban projects and products that support economic and urban growth.
Providing Support to Landowners
She added 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, providing 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 results for the Madinah region build on the program’s achievements in a number of regions across the Kingdom. The Ministry had previously announced that approximately 71 million square meters of undeveloped land in the Riyadh region had entered development or the market, including 29 million square meters that had been developed, 20 million square meters that have entered the market, and 21 million square meters currently under development, in addition to supporting 27 projects through fee revenues.
The total in the Eastern Province reached approximately 146 million square meters, including 49 million square meters that have been developed, 61 million square meters that entered the market, and 36 million square meters under development, with support for 16 development and urban projects.
The total in the Makkah Region reached approximately 28 million square meters, including 13 million square meters that have been developed, 9 million square meters that have entered the market, and 5 million square meters under development, in addition to support for 14 development and housing projects, as part of efforts aimed at improving land-use efficiency, stimulating urban development, and increasing the supply of real estate and housing in various regions.
The Ministry emphasized that the integration of fee collection with enabling landowners to benefit from development services contributes to promoting sustainable urban development, improving the efficiency of land investment, and achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 aimed at building more organized and sustainable cities.
