Okaz

WE lived through a long predicament in our country when our cities, small and big, transformed into cement blocks and streets with dusty sidewalks.

What we call a public place has become absent. We are talking here about the simplest concept that is needed by people, which is the green space.

People need gardens so they can breathe clean air and they can look at something pleasant and beautiful. A garden is not a luxury nor is it a secondary need, but we made it to disappear from our cities.

Even if there are gardens, they exist in a pathetic way. They cannot be called a garden. We suffocated enough. It looks like we are going to have a new relationship with the missing garden.

Everyone should be proud that the capital city of Riyadh will have the biggest green space in the world, with all its cultural, sports and entertainment facilities targeting all age groups. Our park is going to be four times bigger than Central Park in New York and five times bigger than Hyde Park in London. King Salman Park will completely transform Riyadh.

The dream will come true in Riyadh. A bigger dream is to implement similar park projects in other cities, based on the size and the density of population in each city.

We hope that those responsible for this project will transform the concept «gardens» in our municipalities.

These gardens often granted to people as pieces of land or are left neglected to become a playing ground for stray animals. We should not count on municipalities, but we hope from the people implementing the Riyadh garden project to transfer this experience to other cities so they will transform into green areas for art and entertainment.