A Mechanism for Activating the Role of Municipal Councils for the Success of Efforts to Preserve the Saudi Cities’ Environment: the Case of the Municipal Council of the Eastern Province Amanah, A Descriptive Documentative Study

(Monthly winner Ben Saad)

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Abstract

A Mechanism for Activating the Role of Municipal Councils for the Success of Efforts to Preserve the Saudi Cities Environment: the Case of the Municipal Council of the Eastern Province Amanah, A Descriptive Documentative Study Faez Saad Al-Shihri College of Architecture and Planning, King Faisal University Dammam, Saudi Arabia Abstract : Urban Development Planning (UDP) in Saudi Arabia during the last four decades has escaped problems and shortcoming causing negative impacts on the natural, physical, social and economic environment. Lack of public participation along the various stages of the development and decisions-making process could be considered one major reason beyond these negative impacts. Recently, the establishment of Municipal Councils (MC) has become a remarkable form of mechanisms to strengthen public participation in directing decision-making toward more successful development processes and improved quality of environment. Therefore; the research aims to explore the role of Municipal Councils and in affecting and implementing planning and environmental conservation policies. The paper reviews and analyzes the experience of the Municipal Council of The Eastern Province Amanah (MCEPA). It measures role of MCEPA in achieving better planning and environmental conservation. In gathering data, the paper uses both secondary and primary sources. The paper conducted an intensive literature review of previous research papers, reports dealt with environmental conservation planning policies and the role of municipal councils in this regard. It reviewed the recorded of the Municipal Council of The Eastern Province Amanah (MCEPA); both the official sessions and its meetings with the public. The paper collected data from official announcements of MCEPA members in local news papers. The paper followed an analytical approach to observe, record and assess the level of accomplishment of MCEPA in dealing with environment conservation issues (as a case study). It recorded the main obstacles facing the council and hindering its capability to become an effective tool to improve the existing practices which endangers quality of urban environment. The paper reached a general conclusions that Municipal Councils have a significant role in conserving urban environment; and as such, this role has to be encouraged, sustained and supported form government and society. In regard to the MCEPA, it was concluded that during the two years (1426-1428), the Council has a varying role according to the nature of each environmental issue. In terms of the power in dealing with environmental issues, the role varies from simple care, to medium, and to high, depending on the priority of the issue and situation. The paper has also recorded some obstacles that face the council, e.g. limitation of authority, the sensitivity and miss communication with city officials, the slow process and lack of financial data, and the lack of information. The paper suggested a mechanism to enforce and maintain the role of Municipal Councils in protecting the environment. The mechanism includes: the improving membership selection process, strengthening the mental image of city officials and citizens of the role of Municipal Councils, deepening the importance of strategic and tactical environmental planning in the minds of its members, establishing an urban environmental development consulting committee serving the Councils, and strengthening the Councils relationships with academic and research institutions. Recommendations are reached to improve the role of municipal councils in dealing with environmental planning issues that contribute to urban development sustainability and environmental conservation and protection. Keywords : Urban Development Planning, Decisions-Making Process, Sustainable Development, Environmental Conservation, Public Participation, Municipal Councils, Saudi Arabia.
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