Here’s what you need to know about Jeddah Development Authority

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The Saudi Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, approved, in Sept. 2023, regulatory arrangements for the Jeddah Development Authority.

Umm Al-Qura newspaper published the details of the regulatory arrangements for the Jeddah Development Authority. The Authority aims to comprehensively plan and develop the geographical area and cover all aspects of the city's development, including urban planning, population, economy, development, society, culture, environment, transportation, infrastructure, and digital infrastructure, without prejudice to the competencies of other relevant agencies. In addition, the Authority aims to provide the necessary public services and facilities in the geographical area.

The Jeddah Development Authority tasks and powers are designed to achieve its objective. These tasks and powers include drawing up general policies for development; preparing and approving plans, studies, comprehensive strategic schemes and executive programs, and updating them when necessary; and directly supervising the planning, design, and implementation of strategic programs and projects assigned to the Authority, including operation and maintenance work. 

The Authority is also concerned with reviewing and approving development plans and relevant programs and projects, developed by government agencies, public entities and institutions, to ensure the achievement of balanced development, and concerned with following up on the planning of infrastructure projects in coordination with the relevant agencies.

The Authority also prioritizes and monitors the implementation of programs and projects in the geographical area to ensure that they align with development plans. The Authority takes the necessary measures to ensure their implementation and applies indicators to improve and measure the efficiency of urban performance, considering the objectives of the approved development plans and coordinating with the implementing agencies when preparing their budgets.

Other powers of the Authority include proposing the expropriation of certain real estate according to development needs, in coordination with the relevant agencies, and in preparation for completing the legal procedures. This is in addition to supervising the rehabilitation and improvement of existing urban neighborhoods; addressing, developing and improving slums, in terms of urban planning, social, economic, security, and environmental aspects; and taking the necessary measures to ensure this is implemented in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The Authority also has the power to prepare and approve building and land use regulations that contribute to the implementation of development plans; review and approve land division schemes; and establish and manage an urban database and information systems, which will serve as a unified platform and a basic reference for information on which development-related agencies rely.

 Coordinating and organizing the efforts of agencies involved in developing the geographical area, in accordance with the studies and plans approved by the Authority, and establishing the necessary programs, foundations, procedures, and incentives to encourage private sector participation in achieving development goals and implementing and supervising projects and services, are also among the Authority’s powers and tasks.

The Authority is also responsible for encouraging and facilitating investment in the geographical area, by creating partnership or direct investment opportunities with public and private sector investors, investment funds, and local and international institutions, in accordance with the relevant regulatory provisions.

The Authority may seek the assistance of specialized research centers, institutions, and houses of expertise at the local and international levels to achieve the goals for which it was established.

The resources of the Authority include the financial appropriations allocated to it in the state’s general budget; donations, grants, gifts, and bequests; revenues from its endowments in accordance with the rules established by the Council; and income it obtains from the proceeds of its investments.

The revenues of the Authority will be deposited in the current account of the Ministry of Finance at the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). The Authority may open an account for itself at SAMA, and it may open other accounts at any of the banks licensed to operate in the Kingdom. Expenditures will be made from these accounts in accordance with the Authority’s budget and the approved regulations.

The Authority will have an independent annual budget, prepared and issued in accordance with the arrangements for issuing the state’s general budget. The fiscal year of the Authority is the fiscal year of the state.

These arrangements will come into force from the date of their approval.