The Hail region is preparing to inaugurate the “Central Area” development project next Wednesday, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad bin Abdulaziz, the region’s governor, and in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, the region’s deputy governor, in a development project that extends over an area of more than 750,000 square meters, at a cost of approximately 268 million riyals.
The project is reshaping the features of downtown Hail , by transforming the city squares, Afnan Street, and informal market areas from designated parking spaces into open urban destinations that include more than 30,000 square meters of green spaces, about 3,000 trees, and pedestrian walkways, thus enhancing the city’s attractiveness for tourism, entertainment, and investment, and it is connected to six main roads.
Pedestrian and bicycle paths
The project offers a comprehensive model for developing public spaces, including 12 kilometers of pedestrian walkways and 6 kilometers of bicycle paths, a 13,000-square-meter open-air theater, and 12,000 square meters of interactive fountains, in addition to providing 1,500 parking spaces. It also includes the development of the Samah and Barzan markets and the preparation of sites designated for markets and hotels.
Shops and entertainment areas
On the economic and social front, the area includes 17 retail outlets, restaurants and cafes, and up to 250,000 square meters of space for community events. The project also features modern operating and management systems, public transportation services, internet and public Wi-Fi, as well as lighting, surveillance, and AI-powered solutions.
These facilities aim to stimulate commercial activity and attract investments by holding various events that link the historical heritage of Hail, represented by the “Qishla” Palace and the “A’irif” Castle, with the opportunities of the modern economy, thus opening new horizons for entrepreneurs and enhancing the community’s benefit from the region’s tourism and heritage assets.
Creating an integrated infrastructure
The Secretary of the Hail Region, Engineer Sultan bin Hamed Al-Zaidi, confirmed that the project represents a developmental achievement that reflects the support that the region enjoys from the leadership, and the continuous follow-up from the Emir of Hail and the Deputy Emir of the region, in addition to the follow-up of the Minister of Municipalities and Housing, noting that the development works contributed to the establishment of an integrated infrastructure and the reshaping of the urban landscape of the city center.
Al-Zaidi explained that the project aims to provide a sustainable urban environment that promotes humanizing cities and improves the quality of life for families and youth, as well as stimulating commercial activities and creating new investment opportunities for investors and craftsmen, thus enhancing Hail’s position as a competitive tourist destination that combines the authenticity of its history with its future development aspirations.
The Hail region is one of the administrative regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with its capital city being Hail. Located in northern Najd in the northwest of the Kingdom, it ranks seventh in area, covering 120,000 km², and ninth in population, with 746,406 inhabitants according to the 2022 Saudi census. Administratively, it is divided into eight governorates in addition to the Hail Emirate. The Hail region is famous for the two mountains of Aja and Salma, and for the historical figure of Hatim al-Tai, known for his generosity and hospitality.
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