The Medina Region Municipality has launched the “Green City” initiative, which aims to increase green spaces, improve the quality of life in Medina, and achieve a sustainable environmental future. The initiative targets planting 2,100,000 trees in Medina, supporting efforts to create a greener and more sustainable environment. This will contribute to increasing vegetation cover, reducing carbon emissions, lowering high temperatures, enhancing the use of natural resources, improving the urban landscape, and enhancing the quality of life and well-being of residents. The initiative, which is an extension of the goals of the “Saudi Green Initiative” and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, includes the use of digital technologies such as smart tree numbering to track their growth and health. It also aims to strengthen Medina’s leadership in afforestation, increase green spaces in roads, public squares, parks, and within neighborhoods, while promoting voluntary community participation in the initiative’s activities. This will enhance environmental awareness, enrich the tourism experience, make Medina a model for green cities, and achieve a balance between preserving Islamic heritage landmarks and sites and modern sustainability.

Medina

The Medina refers to the historic old city found in many North African towns, most famously in Fez, Morocco, and Tunis, Tunisia. These ancient quarters are typically enclosed by walls and feature a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets, bustling souks (markets), mosques, and traditional houses. They originated as the core of these cities, often dating back to the medieval period, and are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their preserved urban fabric and cultural significance.

Saudi Green Initiative

The Saudi Green Initiative is a nationwide sustainability program launched in 2021 as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Its goal is to combat climate change by planting 10 billion trees across the country and reducing carbon emissions. The initiative aims to rehabilitate vast areas of land and transition the nation towards a greener future.

Kingdom’s Vision 2030

“Kingdom’s Vision 2030” is not a physical place or cultural site, but a strategic framework and blueprint for Saudi Arabia’s future development. Launched in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, its history is rooted in the need to diversify the kingdom’s economy away from oil dependency. The vision outlines ambitious goals across economic, social, and cultural sectors to transform Saudi Arabia by the year 2030.

Islamic heritage landmarks

Islamic heritage landmarks encompass a diverse range of architectural and cultural sites spanning over 1,400 years of history, from the 7th century to the present day. These include mosques, madrasas, palaces, and tombs, renowned for features like domes, minarets, and intricate geometric and calligraphic ornamentation. Notable examples, such as the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and the Alhambra in Spain, reflect the vast geographical and cultural reach of Islamic civilizations.