Comprehensive Plan for Makkah Al_Mukarama

(Environmental Approach)

Dr. Sami Yasin Barhamain Dr. Hussein Mohamed Aboubakr

dr.sami.b@gmail.com Hmbakr2@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT:
Importance of the working paper
The Holy City of Makkah faces growing pressure to welcome and safely accommodate the increasing
number of pilgrims and permanent residents for Hajj and Umrah. The basis of comprehensive Plan -
Environmental approach- to deal with this pressure is to develop strategies that act within a traditional
Islamic environmental ethic to preserve the sanctity of the Holy Sites and to maintain a spiritual
environment of peace and balance for residents and visitors
The Environment Plan, a key element of the Comprehensive Plan for Makkah, points to a new
direction, reconnecting the City with the ethics and traditions that have sustained it for generations.
The Plan gains inspiration from the City‘s natural features, while illustrating how constituent sites can
be brought into Makkah‘s emerging urban fabric for residents and pilgrims.
Objectives of the working paper

 Sustain the sacred Zamzam Well for the City of Makkah, its residents and pilgrims for generations
The core objectives of the Environment Plan are:

 Plan and design in harmony with the natural and biological processes to restore the natural
to come;

 Work with the physical and biological specifics of individual wadis and watershed sites;
framework of the City and Region;

 Create many opportunities for the future; and

 Observe the principle that ―Every drop of water must be used more than once.
The natural framework can be restored as a living system of naturalized environments that would
protect the wadis and mountains and bring them into the urban fabric for public benefit today and for
future generations. Benefits include increasing urban open spaces, protecting the mountains,
recharging wadi aquifers, reducing demands on the provision of expensive potable water, reducing
flood hazards through total watershed management, developing a new agricultural district, increasing
agricultural output and productivity, and developing major urban and naturalized regional park
systems.The net result would be an enhanced quality of life for residents and pilgrims alike as well as
the opening of significant new development opportunities for the intensification and redevelopment of
Makkah. Most importantly, restoration of the natural framework would reduce the immediate and
destructive pressures on Wadi Ibrahim and the Haram and offer key opportunities throughout the City.
The paper concludes with a list of opportunities provided by the Natural Framework for Makkah and
Empower and Endow an Agency to Manage, Operate and Maintain Environmental plan of Makkah
Keywords: Comprehensive Plan, Environment, Sustainable Development. Makkah natural
framework, Hima Watershed, Natural Landscape, Zamzam Well.
1: INTRODUCTION
The Holy City of Makkah faces growing pressure to welcome and safely accommodate the
increasing number of pilgrims and permanent residents for Hajj and Umrah. The basis of our
comprehensive approach to deal with this pressure is to develop strategies that act within a
traditional Islamic environmental ethic to preserve the sanctity of the Holy Sites and to
maintain a spiritual environment of peace and balance for residents and visitors.
The Environment Plan, a key element of the Comprehensive Plan for Makkah, points to a new
direction, reconnecting the City with the ethics and traditions that have sustained it for
generations. The Plan gains inspiration from the City‘s natural features, while illustrating how
constituent sites can be brought into Makkah‘s emerging urban fabric for residents and
pilgrims.
Comprehensive planning and design respect the natural framework of mountain landforms,
and wadi watersheds which hold immense potential for Makkah‘s urban, economic and
cultural futures. This natural framework can be restored as a living system of naturalized
environments to protect key features and sustainably integrate them with the urban fabric.
Benefits to increasing urban open spaces, protecting mountains, recharging wadi aquifers,
developing a new agricultural district and creating naturalized regional park systems include
reducing demand for expensive potable water, reducing flood hazards through total watershed
management, increasing agricultural output and productivity.
2: VISION FOR THE ENVIROBMENT PLAN

 Sustain the sacred Zamzam Well for the City of Makkah, its residents and pilgrims for
The core of the Environment Plan vision is to:

 Plan and design in harmony with the natural and biological processes to restore the natural
generations to come;

 Work with the physical and biological specifics of individual wadis and watershed sites;
framework of the City and Region;

 Create many opportunities for the future; and

 Observe the principle that ―Every drop of water must be used more than once.
Recent development has been carried out on both a local and regional scale at the expense of
the natural environment. The Environment Plan builds on the Vision to restore and integrate
the natural environment with a rapidly developing City and Region.
3: MAKKAH’s NATURAL FRAMEWORK
Makkah‘s natural framework illustrates the relationship between urban Makkah and the
surrounding topography while defining the large wadi systems and the sensitive alluvium
areas between mountains. as shown in Figure 1.
The geophysical forces that formed, faulted and fractured the crystalline rock foundation of
Makkah‘s regional landscape have also defined the overall structure of the Makkah
watersheds. Makkah‘s watersheds are organized around wadis , flowing from one to the next
as they increase in scale and size.
 Alluvium deposits of variable
depths have been left in the
wadis over time. The wadi
systems in Makkah eventually
convey water to the Red Sea,
through surface flows and
groundwater flows. Converging
wadis are related to deep rock
basins where large quantities of
groundwater collect. Areas
where alluvium deposits collect
and where groundwater is close
to the surface are identifiable by
the presence of vegetation.
Figure 1. Makkah’s Natural Framework
3.1 Active Flow Channels
The water resources within the Makkah Hima are primarily composed of wadis, which act as
active flood flow channels to convey seasonal runoff into fast rushing seasonal streams. These
areas can become torrents of rushing water through the desert landscapes. The locations and
widths of these active flood flow channels are highly dynamic and can change with every
reoccurring flood flow. The active flow channels have strong potential and represent an
opportunity to become spines for a system of naturalized parklands. These areas should be
protected from encroachment and development. Building setbacks should be created for these
areas to mitigate flooding risks. Some adjacent agricultural uses may be acceptable depending
on the extent of use. (Attia, F.A.R., & Salih, A. - 2002).
Six large watersheds have been mapped using satellite imagery and topographic studies.
Figure 2. Each watershed has unique natural features, varying degrees of existing
development, and potential for urban expansion. It is interesting to note that the Sacred
Boundary is a remarkably precise demarcation of the watersheds that once sustained the Holy
City.
 Wadi Ibrahim : the most important watershed in Makkah. The Kabbah, Holy Mosque,
Sacred Mountains and the Zamzam Well are all located within its boundaries. It is largely a
self-contained watershed although it may receive water from neighboring wadis through
rock fractures. Urbanization of the Wadi Ibrahim catchment has a profound effect on
groundwater recharge, water quality and ultimately on the continuing flow of the Zamzam

 Wadi Ash Sharai: it's an immense watershed encompassing a huge expanse of terrain that
Well.

varies from complete urbanization in the north to wind-blown sand dunes in the south. As
in the upper reaches of Wadi Ibrahim, Wadi Al_Shemasy has flooding problems due to the
scale of development including areas where whole mountains have been built over.
 Wadi Namaan: it's an extraordinarily valuable cultural watershed - closely related to the
Hajj and the growth of Makkah. It has a long and innovative history of sustainable water
use and of providing for the well-being of the Pilgrims. Wadi Namaan is one of the most
productive watersheds with a very large catchment reaching the Hijaz Escarpment.
 Wadi Uranah : The Arafat to Wadi Uranah watershed reaches up the mountain slopes to
the Hijaz Escarpment and table. Its sheer scale is impressive as it collects water from
remarkably diverse environments.

Figure 2. Makkah Hima & Six Main Watersheds

 Wadi Fatima South: Wadi Fatima South watershed is located almost completely within the
Sacred Boundary, running along its northern extents. This highly linear watershed, flowing
from east to west, makes its way along sandy dry flow channels. Wadi Fatima South has
considerable potential for underground water storage and extraction. (Al-Garni, M.A.-2009)
 Wadi Fatima North : Wadi Fatima North complex of watersheds lies entirely to the north
of the Sacred Boundary. It is the largest and most dynamic of Makkah‘s watersheds,
receiving enormous quantities of seasonal run-off from the Hijaz Escarpment and
mountain ranges to the north. it has long been recognized as a source of water. Several
villages are located along the western edge of Wadi Fatima along active flow channels.
3.2 Land Capability Analysis
The need to accommodate significant future urban growth places great pressure on the limited
developable space within the City of Makkah. A Land Capability Analysis was carried out to
assess the opportunities for developing lands within and around the City of Makkah. The
following categories were identified based on site visits to the Makkah Region and analysis of

 Footprint of mountains at the alluvium/wadi soil line;

high-resolution satellite photography:

 Flat areas and Mountain slopes from 10% up to 40% slope (developable); and
 Mountain slopes above 40% (undevelopable).
 The locations, extent, slopes and
potential watershed recharges from
mountain landforms have been
identified and mapped for land
capability analysis, as shown in
Figure.3. Mountain slopes up to 40%
were considered for
development/redevelopment in the
Land Use Plan under the guidance of
stringent site-specific environmental
regulations and controls that maintain
mountain landforms and ensure no
permanent damage to the mountain
landforms.

Figure 3. Slope analysis of Makkah

Watershed drainage pathways across the mountain landforms will be protected to maintain
flow channels for seasonal rainfall and infiltration into the alluvium wadi beds. The
relationship between watersheds, Hima, and infrastructure is shown in Figure 4. Maintaining
both the footprint of the mountains and the alluvium wadi beds is key to capturing runoff and
recharge in the wadi basins.
Development will not be allowed on mountain slopes greater than 40%. Instead, these slopes
and mountain tops will be developed as open space and parkland. A thorough hydrogeological
analysis of the less-than-40%
mountain slopes should be required of
any development proposal to identify
problems and conflicts with the
Zamzam Well hydrology.
Developments on these low-slope
areas that are confirmed to be in
conflict with water quality and
quantity of the Zamzam Well should
be prohibited. Special attention should
be given to hydrological flow linkages
along geological fault lines that would
connect water flow patterns across the
mountains and wadis to the Zamzam
Well. No blasting or cutting of
mountains should be allowed for the
development of buildings or
infrastructure.
Figure 4. Land Capability Analysis showing constraints
In Conclusions, the Land Capability Analysis helps to better understand the site specific
implications of development in certain high risk areas across Makkah. The analysis revealed
that land available for redevelopment in Makkah is very limited. The risks associated with
investing and building in specific areas are high, both to human health and property.
Specifically, windblown sand dunes, flooding hazards, contaminated sites, desert rangelands
and steep mountain slopes in specific areas of the City are significant deterrents to developers
and buyers.
4 : ISLAM AND ECOLOGY
As a model of sustainability for the world, the guiding overall vision and plan for Makkah
must center on the protection and enhancement of Makkah‘s unique natural framework to
sustain future generations of residents and pilgrims. Makkah must focus on its spiritual
importance as the basis upon which all decisions will be made for the benefit of generations to
come. Figure. 5 shows the relationship
between natural, urban and spiritual
Makkah. The Environment Plan gains
inspiration from the City‘s natural functions
and points to a new direction, reconnecting
the City with the ethics and traditions that
have sustained it for generations.
Environmental rehabilitation of damaged
habitats, bioremediation of water, and
restructuring of damaged landforms will
lead to a safer healthier environment for all
life forms within the natural framework.
(Bagader, A., El-Sabbagh, A., Al-Glayand, M., Samarrai,
M., & Llewellyn, O. -1994).

Figure 5. Balance between Makkah various aspects

By protecting fragile or struggling environments, these areas can recover, regenerate and
thrive for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. If properly planned for, future
development will offer gains in environmental quality and quality of life.
5 : OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE
The natural framework can be restored as a living system of naturalized environments that
would protect the wadis and mountains and bring them into the urban fabric for public benefit
today and for future generations. Benefits include increasing urban open spaces, protecting
the mountains, recharging wadi aquifers, reducing demands on the provision of expensive
potable water, reducing flood hazards through total watershed management, and developing
major urban and naturalized regional park systems.
The net result would be an enhanced quality of life for residents and pilgrims alike as well as
the opening of significant new development opportunities for the intensification and
redevelopment of Makkah. Most importantly, restoration of the natural framework would
reduce the immediate and destructive pressures on Wadi Ibrahim and the Haram and offer key
opportunities throughout the City. In summary, opportunities provided by the natural
framework for Makkah include:
a. Creating an Oasis for Islam : The Environmental Plan seeks to place the importance of
Makkah‘s Natural Framework as a central consideration for the future stewardship of the
City and, to provide site-specific guidance for its development and capturing of related
opportunities. (Foltz, R.C., Denny, F.M., & Baharuddin, A. -2003).
 This Environmental Plan reconnects the City with the ethics and traditions that have
sustained Makkah for generations. It gains inspiration from the natural functioning of the
place, itself, while also illustrating how the specifics of the constituent sites themselves can
be brought forward into Makkah‘s emerging urban fabric for residents and pilgrims.
b. Establishing a model of Sustainability for the Muslim World: As urbanized portions of
Makkah are redeveloped it will be possible to achieve a high level of environmental
sustainability with innovative "green" development, and design and construction carried
out in harmony with natural processes. As a model of sustainability for the Muslim world,
every aspect of Makkah infrastructure and urban development that interfaces with the
natural framework should be comprehensively considered, from urban drainage, sewer
systems and treatment facilities, preservation of mountains, aquifer recharge, as well as the
repurposing of urban water to productive recycled uses in agriculture, irrigation and other
non-potable uses, to setting aside hazard and flood lands for water management and
recycling uses, and the development of naturalized open space corridors.
c. Using the Natural Setting as a framework for the Urban Form of the City: The natural
framework of mountains and alluvium wadis that define the landscape throughout Makkah
holds great potential for establishing the future urban form of the City.
The proposed Makkah Hima will surround the City, encompassing existing mountains and
wadi systems that form a natural zone around Makkah. Designating these environmental
zones as - Hima Stewardship Preserves - will protect these natural and cultural assets, and
constrain urban development to areas surrounded (but not inside) the Hima boundary. In
addition, upgrading the existing storm water drainage system and developing further
opportunities for groundwater drainage, particularly at the base of mountains, and by
developing open space and park areas, uses the natural setting as a framework for the
City‘s urban form. The current urban drainage system requires remediation to clean the
water so it can be safely used for parklands and irrigation practices.
d. Providing Upgrades to Existing Urban Areas : The physical structure of Makkah is
based on six major wadi systems with each flowing into large regional wadi watersheds
that surround Makkah. Each system has its own specific character and form, framed by the
surrounding mountains. Understanding the individual characteristics of the Natural
Framework is an important consideration when establishing areas for a future open space
system.
e. Developing a Future Open Space System : Many factors combine to give Makkah the
opportunity to develop one of the most important open space systems in the world.
Seasonal runoff from the mountains and wadis can be captured and stored to allow for
aquifer recharge and the creation of naturalized and urban parks at the base of the
mountains. The alluvium wadis are also fertile ground for the development of green
infrastructure techniques that can begin to develop an interconnected network of park
systems and wildlife corridors that preserve and enhance the ecological function of
Makkah and create a balance between the built and natural environments.
f. Landscape Gradient : In order to accommodate the City‘s legitimate need to expand, the
Open Space system incorporates a ‗Landscape Gradient‘ between the urbanized core of the
City and the naturalized Hima system. The Landscape Gradient is a spectrum that ranges
from dense development in the Central Area to the Hima Preserve which is highly
regulated and controlled. By applying the Landscape Gradient concept to future
 development in the City, the City gradually incorporates more open space and stricter
development controls moving away from the Central Area.

6 : PROPOSED COMPONENT OF THE MAKKAH OPEN SPACE SYSTEM

6 :1 Makkah Hima Stewardship Area
The Open Space Framework for Makkah is predicated on the notion that much of these vital
ecologies must be either restored or preserved. The best way to accomplish this is through the
establishment of a Naturalized Hima Stewardship system that surrounds the City and
considers regional topography, aquifer recharge and hydrology at the regional scale by
protecting sensitive aquifer recharge areas around the City.
The proposed preserves will function to provide and define a natural City boundary, to limit
urban sprawl and direct growth to more appropriate areas. Specific regulations with regard to
development apply to the Hima Lands re-enforcing and implementing sustainable
development strategies. This will preserve the natural landscape and hydrological functions of
these areas. A comprehensive Hima Management Plan is urgently needed to provide for the
long-term future of the Makkah Hima.
The existing wadi system, which forms a natural boundary for the City of Makkah, will be
protected as a Hima Stewardship Area and will function as a natural boundary to the City

 Encourage sustainable management of Makkah‘s natural framework;

limits. The Makkah Hima is created to:

 Preserve and maintain environmentally sensitive areas;

 Retain and improve open space resources that provide significant ecological and

 Promote urban development that is environmentally sound and compatible with the natural
environmental benefits;

 Encourage open space-parks and natural areas to be designed as development projects.

framework of Makkah; and

The Hima will function as a collective natural resource, maintained by a dedicated public
agency for its citizens, visitors and future generations. It will also serve as a Gateway into the
City of Makkah and a natural control for urban sprawl.
Development within the Makkah Hima will be highly regulated to preserve the natural
landscape and encourage sustainable design in harmony with the surrounding environment.
Balancing human needs with environmental opportunities and liabilities requires detailed

 Public Open Spaces (Recreational)

analysis of each specific site. Land uses within the Hima should be limited to:

 Naturalized Protected Landscapes (Non-Developable)

 Private Open Space (Economic / Pastoral)
6 : 2 Linkages
A major element of the Open Space Strategy is to safeguard the ecological wealth of Makkah,
through a series of - Parkland Linkages - that connect the Hima to the Central Area.
These connections will be developed as parklands because of their significant environmental
sensitivity to development-related risks, including flooding and degradation of alluvium that
contributes to aquifer recharge. These parkland linkages provide undeveloped buffers between
the City and the desert, providing open spaces for pilgrims, wildlife habitat, and ecosystem
biodiversity. Each of these parks functions ecologically and each is distinguished by the
programming it offers. In proximity to the Central Area, these parks will be developed for
recreation, tourism, prayer and commemoration. As one moves towards the Hima, these
parklands will be developed as urban wilds and naturalization areas.
6 : 3 Mountain Base Recharge
A key mechanism developed to protect Makkah‘s environment is a continuous framework of
mountain base recharge rings consisting of planted linear parks that link the entire Open
Space Network. These links create an interconnected network of landscape infrastructural
loops that capture storm water runoff to allow for greater aquifer recharge and provide a series
of open spaces for residents and pilgrims. Further connections are made with the use of
planted Green Boulevards, which link the parks to the City. In this way, all streets can be seen
and used as public open space, not just traffic routes for cars. Planted streets further serve as a
natural storm water management system and create a comprehensively planted public realm.
Mountain bases can also serve flood management purposes, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6. Flood Management and Aquifer Recharge Areas at mountains base (Diagram)
6 : 3 Park Nodes
The use of park nodes is a major strategy of the Open Space plan to safeguard the ecological wealth of
Makkah and to ensure a distributed network of urban, recreational and naturalized park nodes that will
function ecologically in terms of storm water management and naturalized habitat. The network of
park nodes embeds local green space within the structure of the City. Urban nodes consist of a series
of landscaped squares, plazas, gardens and contemplative spaces, while the recreational nodes allow
for play, camping, tourism and open space. Naturalized nodes will be developed for flood
stabilization, active flow areas, rainwater catchments and harvesting and sustainable landscape
initiatives.
6 : 4 Comprehensive Watershed Management
Watershed management is fundamental to implementing policies that are focused on flood
control, water recycling and reuse as well as providing adequate water resources for a
growing population. Watershed management for Makkah begins at the regional scale where
most of the drainage is charged from the immense regional drainage system that flows from
the Hijaz Escarpment toward the Red Sea. Most of the flow passes around Makkah flowing
through Wadis Fatima, Uranah and Namaan. (Dar Al Handasah. - 2011) .
The entire natural hydrogeological system is characterized by a very broad pattern of fractures
and faults in the bedrock, which are contained in all of the watershed basins and allow
groundwater to flow from wadi basin to wadi basin. A Municipal sewer and stormwater
drainage system discharges into Wadis Fatima and Uranah, at the urban limits of Makkah.
Makkah has wide ranging issues associated with its urban water flows that must be addressed
through comprehensive solutions. These issues include significant cross contamination of
potable water delivery systems from septic groundwater and contaminated flood waters, as
well as water-flows downstream of contamination hot spots. The paving over of alluvium
wadis also reduces water recharge and creates intense flooding shock within urban districts.
Urban runoff has increased to the point where flooding becomes life threatening and causes
disruption of urban life and property damage. These threats to water quality and to human
health must be addressed comprehensively, and improvement of flood performance and flood
management is dependent on considering the watershed system as a whole.
- Makkah Hima Watershed
Wadi Fatima ultimately receives all of the surface flow from all of the regional wadi watersheds.
Reducing the surface flow volume throughout the regional watershed will be key to reducing the
flood shock on Jeddah due to the large scale regional surface flows that make their way directly to
the east of Jeddah. The best way to control destructive surface flows is to reduce their volume and
velocity by working with indigenous natural processes, increasing the naturalized surface vegetation,
and developing simple belowgrade dams that actively recharge the wadi basins rather than keeping
the flow on the surface.
- Urban Infrastructure
Makkah‘s urban infrastructure is part of the comprehensive system required to address
watershed management. Two components need to be connected more functionally to the
natural framework of watersheds. These are the sewage treatment plants that discharge water
used once into the desert and the numerous urban drainage systems that pour precious
rainwater into the desert. The urban drainage systems are inadequate as demonstrated by
recent flooding. If the urban drainage infrastructure can be augmented by storm water
recharge as close to the sites of occurrence as possible, the combined approaches would
come closer to solving the problem.
- The Comprehensive System
For Makkah to become a more sustainable, and healthier place to live and visit, the entire
watershed and all of its interconnected parts, natural and municipal, must be
comprehensively considered as one system. Improvement of flood performance and flood
management depends on it.
Figure 7. Comprehensive Watershed Management (Diagram)
Due to significant cross contamination of the potable water delivery system with the septic
groundwater and contaminated flood waters, as well as water-flows downstream of
contamination hot spots, these threats to water quality, and therefore human health, must also
be addressed in comprehensive watershed measures. The benefits of a comprehensively
managed system include increasing urban open spaces, protecting the mountains, recharging
wadi aquifers, reducing the demands on the provision of expensive potable water, reducing
the flood hazard through total watershed management, developing new agricultural districts,
increasing agricultural output and productivity, and developing major urban and naturalized
regional park systems. The net result would be an enhanced quality of life for residents and
pilgrims alike as well as the opening of significant new development opportunities for the
redevelopment of the City.
Wadi Hanifah(Ryadah) has been used to pioneer an implementation, management and
jurisdictional process that can be used to protect and enhance remarkable environments for the
benefit of future generations. The existing conditions and the proposed bio-remediation
strategy of Wadi Uranah are shown in Figure 8.
Figure 8. Wadi Uranah - Existing conditions and Proposed Bio-Remediation Strategy
6:5 Restore the Natural Framework
Environmental rehabilitation is a general practice that must be implemented to nurture the
natural framework of the Hima. It focuses on working with the ecological processes occurring
naturally throughout the wadis and builds on the natural resilience and succession of the
desert and wadi ecosystems.
The basis of ecological stability and ultimately ecological sustainability is a viable native or
naturalized plant base. Environmental rehabilitation strives to create the conditions for the
natural regeneration of existing, although damaged environments. The rehabilitation of
natural environments helps stem desertification by rebuilding soil ecology, and by restoring
vegetative, microbial and animal communities.
Increases the stability of ecosystems and makes them more resilient to disturbances. As
vegetation re-establishes itself, it stabilizes the ecosystem, creating habitat for increasing
numbers of wildlife species. Restoring the natural framework will enhance the value of
surrounding lands.
The Wadi Hanifah restoration project in Riyadh,- as Example - provides a highly successful
Saudi Arabian example for comprehensive restoration, which is applicable to Makkah‘s
natural framework. The steps related to Riyadh‘s wadi restoration are similar to those that
would be required for similar projects in Makkah. These steps include: (Yavuz, Y., & Al-Asad, M.

 Flood re-profiling and flood design;

(2001, 2004))

 Adjustments to infrastructure;
 Cleaning of dumped material in the wadis (remediation);
 Planting of indigenous plants-drawn from the local gene pool-to vegetate and naturalize

 Development of parks and recreational trails.

the wadis; and

 Increased flood control;

Other benefits of restoring the natural framework include:

 Creation of urban and rural open spaces for recreation and leisure uses;
 Improvements in water management and water retention;
 Long-term stewardship of Makkah‘s natural framework of wadisn and mountains;
 Increased land-value.
6:6 Stewardship of the natural framework for Future Generations
Makkah‘s natural framework of mountains and alluvium wadis is a trust, a public and
environmental commission from earlier generations, to be carried forward healthy and whole
for future generations. It has important symbolic value, representing the community‘s
stewardship of its natural and cultural heritage, its pride and selfimage – the beginning and
continuation of Makkah.
The fulfillment of the vision for Makkah, as a clean, green, healthy, safe and sustainable
oasis, requires protection measures, thoughtful development strategies, design guidelines,
marketing as well as educational programs to raise public awareness, and a pragmatic and
informed implementation program.
The concept of stewardship is central to public awareness and education, and most
importantly, getting things done. It involves the public in programs dealing with education,
conservation, and resource management, and realizes environmental health through
participation. Stewardship encourages self-regulation among landowners, who are ultimately
in control of the wadis and their resources. Landowner contact is an essential process capable
of helping community members identify with the goals of ecological sustainability and
responsible resource management. The development of an educational plan to inform
stewardship is absolutely critical for the successful management of Makkah‘s Hima, and for
the fulfillment of the vision of Makkah as a sustainable oasis City.
6:7 Develop Natural Open Space Systems through City and Region
The Makkah Hima contains regionally significant open spaces extending from the northern
reaches of Wadi Fatima and Uranah to Wadis Namaan and Shemasy in the south. All consist
of extensive areas of flow washes, tablelands and dry side wadi valleys that must be restored
to ecological health to increase their ecological and flood protection value as well as to
support the historical flora and fauna of the region. The Hima will protect ecologically
sensitive lands and help to manage urban growth. (Nikolopoulou, M. - 2004) .
Regional open spaces should be planned with designated conservation zones to preserve the
natural geological and biological heritage of the natural framework of the Makkah Region.
The designated conservation zones would provide public access to significant environmental
features without destroying local ecology. Active recreation areas are appropriate in areas that
are environmentally less sensitive than designated conservation areas, or areas with little
ecological value due to encroachments by development, including roads and utilities,
overgrazing, and intrusive human activities. Active recreation areas, as shown in function to
divert intensive use of parks from sensitive biological communities, and serve as buffers
between encroaching development and conservation zones.
Regional open spaces, including conservation zones with restricted access, should also
contain areas for active recreational uses that are physically separated from conservation areas
to minimize inappropriate uses and reduce intrusions into sensitive habitat areas. The location
of conservation zones should be based on their ecological value or potential.
6:8 Empower and Endow an Agency to Manage, Operate and Maintain
It is proposed that the areas defined by the natural framework, including the Makkah Hima,
be designated as the Makkah Hima Preserve. This designation implies that all the land within
the Makkah Hima Reserve will be subject to special environmental and development controls.
The Makkah Comprehensive Plan requires that an Urban Management System be established
for the Makkah Hima Stewardship Area due to the complex nature of current ownership,
jurisdiction and administration. The management system will need to address: (Yavuz, Y., & Al-

 Institutional co-ordination;
Asad, M. (2001, 2004))

 Policy development;
 Land management;
 Watershed management;
 Structure and responsibilities; and
 Financing principles and funding sources.
From the outset, it was considered appropriate to create an agency with a specific mandate for
the Makkah Hima as opposed to placing the Makkah Hima under the jurisdiction of an
existing department. This Implementation Agency would be responsible for managing,
operating and maintaining Makkah‘s natural framework. Within that framework, the

 Follow the vision to guide all decisions;

Implementation Agency responsible for the Makkah Hima will:

 Undertake planning, management and monitoring;

 Collaborate with other agencies and jurisdictions;
 Carry out the implementation including design, construction, operation and management;
 Be a cultural catalyst for education and stewardship.
References
 Al-Garni, M.A. (2009). Geophysical Investigations for Groundwater in a Complex Subsurface
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Dr. Sami Yasin Barhamain is a General Secretary of Development Commission of Makka
and Mashaaer "DECOMM",.
He holds a PhD from The Strathclyde University, and Master, bachelor Degrees from the King
Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, KSA.
Dr. Sami has 30 years of distinguished experience in both the academic and professional field,
Throughout his career, he was a board member in many committees and organizations.
his expertise comprises:
- Urban Planning, Urban Design, and Architecture
- Urban Development and strategic Planning
- Urban Management, Community Development, and Urban Revitalization
- Project Management Abilities; Provide expertise as a Project Coordinator and Team Leader
- Research abilities, Evaluation & Technical Reports and Projects Presentations.

Dr. Hussein M. Aboubakr is a City Planner Expert – Project Manager in the Zuhair Fayes
Partnership Consultants.
He holds a PhD, Master, and Bachelor Degrees from The Cairo University, Egypt in 2001 and
1990 and 1983 consecutively.
He has been awarded the UNDP Award to the Ohio State University, USA in 1990 and JIKA ,Japan
Academic Exchange in 2001.
Dr. Hussein has 30 years of distinguished experience in both the academic and professional
field, He worked closely with numerous clients from the public and private sector.
Throughout his career, his expertise comprises:
- Urban Planning, Urban Design, and Architecture
- Urban Development and strategic Planning
- Urban Management, Community Development, and Urban Revitalization
- Project Management Abilities; Provide expertise as a Project Coordinator and Team Leader
- Research abilities, Evaluation & Technical Reports and Projects Presentations.