Muneerah Alrabe | SMarchs 2015 THE CRAVING DESERT: STORY OF A REMEDIATED DUMP

Image altered by Author. Image courtesy of Google Earth, Image Source:Google Earth Pro 7.1.2.2041. (October 7, 2013). Wadi Hanifa, Saudi Arabia. 24°38’30.36”N, 46°40’3.22”E, Eye alt 24.47 mi. Image landsat, DigitalGlobe 2014. (Accessed October 3, 2014). Muneerah Alrabe

2 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

Abstract Wadi Hanifa, the most significant natural resource in the Arabian Peninsula, is a wadi stretching 120 km through Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. This paper looks into the origins and foundations of the Wadi Hanifa Project. This study traces the transformation of the wadi from a dumping ground into an ecological restoration project developed by Moriyama & Teshima, in partnership with Buro Happold. This case study examines the social and environmental approach that is integrated into the design of the project. The paper investigates the benefits of the Wadi Hanifa project by studying the most influential factors that lead to the successes of the project. This study also looks at what was not successful and anticipates potential disadvantages and future challenges for the Wadi Hanifa project. I pursue the research in two folds. First, I develop an understanding of the project through published reports, analysis, and interviews with users and planners of Wadi Hanifa. Second, I spatialize the project at different scales through an analysis of the different applied systems. Overall, the Wadi Hanifa project proves to be a successful one, as it responds to social and environmental needs. Wadi Hanifa is a restoration project that aims to remediate and clean the water of the river by rehabilitating the once existing eco-system. This is done by implementing a large bioremediation plant that cleans the water of the wadi. Furthermore, the project transforms a neglected area of the city into a thriving social space by providing public amenities along the river. In addition, the design integrates culture-sensitive design elements, such as the semi-enclosed private family compartments that cater to the specific cultural needs of the Saudi Muslim culture. However, the project is criticized as a greenwashing scheme put forth by the government to gain international recognition. The success of the project resulted in an increasing value of surrounding real-estate. This phenomenon would potentially drive local farmers away. All in all, the project demon- strates that it has the potential to facilitate new forms of social collectivity and environmental literacy. Alrabe | 3 Muneerah Alrabe

environmental RECAPTURING URBAN “A LIVING WADI” WASTE WATER + NATIONAL PRIDE RESTORE ECOSYSTEM

BIOREMEDIATION NATURALIZATION FLOODCONTROL political GOV. RESPONSIBILITY OVER STRATEGY + PLAN CLEANER WATER RESUSE WASTEWATER BIRDS, ECOSYSTEM

MORIYAMA&TESHIMA social SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT +BURO HAPPOLD+ADA RECREATION AREA

PICNIC GROUNDS PUBLIC SPACE

CREATING 9 PUBLIC PUBLIC INFRASTRUC- TURE

H U M A N E G LE C T M A N A G ER AI NL EG LE C T W A T ER P O L U TOI N D U M PN I G R O U N D S F N I A N CA I SL U P P O R T E C O S Y S T E M E X TN I C TO I N

RESULTS TRANSFORMING. . THE RELATIONSHIP B/T CITY+ WADI

All Images by author, unless noted otherwise 4 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

Introduction Ibn Battuta described the city of Riyadh as “a beautiful, fertile city, with abundant water.”[01] 01 Matthew Teller, “Seeds of High The name Riyadh, which means gardens or meadows in Arabic, was given to this fertile city. Wadi Asia.” Saudi Aramco World 63 (1 January/February 2012), 13. Hanifa is one of the most significant natural resources in the Arabian Peninsula. Wadi, is a term 02 “Wadi.” Merriam-Webster. used to describe a valley that is mostly dry throughout the year, except during the rainy season.[02] Accessed October 17, 2014. http://www.merriam-webster. Situated on the Najd plateau in Central Saudi, Wadi Hanifa, stretches 120 km southeast from the Al com/dictionary/wadi.

Hissiya valley, terminating into the “empty quarters” of Riyadh, known as, al Rub’ al Khali. [03] 03 Teller, “Seeds of High Asia.” With the rapid growth of the city of Riyadh in the 1970s, the wadi was transformed from a main 13. source of life into a dumping ground. After the Wadi reached a critical stage of degradation, the 04 Drew Wensley and George Stockton, “The Living Wadi.” Wa- Wadi Hanifah Comprehensive Development Plan (WHCDP) was developed by the Canadian archi- ter Canada (May/June 2001), 38. tecture and planning firm Moriyama & Teshima, in partnership with Buro Happold and commissioned by the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) on July 28, 2001. The comprehensive design put forth by Moriyama & Teshima and Buro Happold aimed to “transform the relationship of the city with its most significant natural feature,” winning the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2010.[04] The Wadi Hanifa project is a thriving one that enhances sustainable growth on a city scale. The project sets up a framework for social engagement in an environmentally sensitive manner in order to improve the future health of the city. It is not an end product, but rather, an open-ended process that encom- Alrabe | 5 Muneerah Alrabe

passes 120 km of parks, lakes, bioremediation plants and water facilities incorporated within recrea- tional areas. [05] This case study looks into the origins and foundations of the Wadi Hanifa Project by tracing the transformation of the wadi from a dumping ground into an ecological restoration project devel- oped by Moriyama & Teshima, in partnership with Buro Happold. This paper examines the social and environmental approach that is integrated into the design of the project. This study investigates the benefits of the Wadi Hanifa project by examining the most influential factors that lead to the successes of the project and anticipates potential disadvantages and future challenges of the Wadi Hanifa project. I pursue the research in a two fold study. First, this study will present a detailed inves- tigation on the design interventions through published reports, analysis, and interviews with users and planners of Wadi Hanifa. Second, this work spatializes the project at different scales through an analysis of the different systems applied. Altogether, the Wadi Hanifa project proves to be a successful project as it responds to social and environmental needs. This success is dependent on its strong top-down planning approach, strong political and financial support, and long-term vision. However, the projects needs to address the behavioral nature of the society using it, in order for it to sustain itself as the city 6 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

continues to rapidly grow. Overall, the wadi revives the natural environment of the city of Riyadh by 05 Wael Samhouri, 2010 On restoring the eco-system, providing cleaner water, and constructing public amenities along the wadi Site Review Report- Wadi Hanifa Wetlands, (2010), 3. beds. The project was possible only because it was backed up by a strong organization and a well- 06 Anne Spirn, “The Nature of Mill planned long term vision that catered to its social, political, and environmental context. Creek: Landscape Literacy and Design for Ecological Democra- On the one hand, the project’s all-inclusive design process allows for the enhancement of cy.” 2014, 1. sustainable environmental growth whilst providing for future economic benefits and opportunities. Its success stems from the technological and creative interventions in environmental planning. The pro- ject seems to be an example of Anne Spirn’s definition of nature as consisting of “the creative and life- sustaining processes that connect everything in the biological world and the physical universe, including humans” where the “chemical, physical, and biological processes interact with social, economic, political, and cultural processes, over time, to produce landscapes”.[06] Indeed, the design process of Wadi Hanifa allowed for biological and physical processes to communicate with its social, economic, political and cultural processes. On the other hand, the success of the project does have some consequences that might constrain the future growth of the wadi. Nonetheless, the project proves to have the potential to promote new forms of social collectivity and environmental literacy in the city of Riyadh. Alrabe | 7 S T 2020 L SU

E 2011 +

Fecal coliform bacteria by 97%; Total coliform by 87%, + R Emonia by 92%, Biological oxygen demand (BOD) by 60%; 2011 S Phosphorous by 48% Suspended solids by 97%. + Awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2010 Zone 3 + Zone 4 + Zone 5 2009 Zone 1 + Zone 2 + Zone 3 2008

S 2007 2005 Start of Construction 2004 Joint venture Team : 2003

Moriyama & teshima + Buro happold +

project team was chosen +

E 2001 2000 C

Wadi Hanifa Development Strategy Approved 1994 + + Boat Explorations by Jens + Uli 1993

1990

Excursions and photographic exploration of site 1984 + Formation of river and lake system from treated systems 1983 - + O PR investigation in wastewater dumping began in wadi hanifa +

Construction of city's first wastewater treatment plant at Manfuha1983 - 400,000 cubic meters of effluent being discharged into the wadi every day S LEM Formation of ADA 1974 + B - O

Exploitation of Wadi 1970 - - R P

Wadi at its worst 1970

Rise of modernity1960

Discovery of Oil 1936 establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 1932

St. John Philby photograph of Dir'iyyah1917

Abd al-'Aziz ibn Sa'ud recaptured Riyadh 1902

military defeat 1818

First Saudi State established in Dir’iyyah1744 next to Wadi Hanifa. used as a sources of life All Images by author, unless noted otherwise All Images by author, 8 Arabia. on Hanifa Wadi significance of the history of Riyadh and Saudi Historical Timeline depicting the Historical Timeline Figure 1 Figure Muneerah Alrabe Muneerah P R O B LEMS Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

PRO C E S S

R E SUL T S investigation in wastewater dumping began wadi hanifa Construction of city's first wastewater treatment plant at Manfuha Formation of river and lake system from treated systems 400,000 cubic meters of effluent being discharged into the wadi every day Awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture Excursions and photographic exploration of site Phosphorous by 48% Suspended solids 97%. Emonia by 92%, Biological oxygen demand (BOD) 60%; Fecal coliform bacteria by 97%; Total 87%, Wadi Hanifa Development Strategy Approved Moriyama & teshima + Buro happold Joint venture Team : project team was chosen Boat Explorations by Jens + Uli Zone 1 + 2 3 Zone 3 + 4 5 Exploitation of Wadi Formation of ADA Start of Construction 2010 2000 1970 1990 2020 1974 1983 1984 1994 2007 2008 2009 2011 2011 1983 1993 2003 2004 2005 2001

- - - + - + + - + + + + + + + + Alrabe | 9 Muneerah Alrabe

Historical Background 07 Teller, “Seeds of High Asia,” 13. Up until modernity, Riyadh’s growth has always depended on this living wadi. In the pre-Is-

08 Yavuz, Yildirim, Wadi Hanifa lamic times, the Bani Hanifa tribe settled along this significant natural resource, called Wadi Hanifa, Wetlands The Aga Khan Award for Architecture Report. The Aga meaning pure. Early settlements in 1744 used this wadi as a source for life, in fact the first Saudi Khan Award for Architecture: 1994, 3. state was established in Dir’iyah located right next to the wadi. [07] Their mud walled ruins still remain

09 Wael Samhouri, 2010 On visible today among the other 580 recognized heritage sites that are part of the preservation of the Site Review Report- Wadi Hanifa cultural heritage of the wadi. [08] This civilization depended on the wadi as a source for life, there- Wetlands, 2010, 4. fore, there was a healthy balance between the land, the wadi, and its people. [09] 10 Teller, “Seeds of High Asia,” 13. Following the creation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1936, the Al-Saud ruling family es- tablished Riyadh as the capital city. With the discovery of oil, a wave of modernity took over the city and lead to the expansion of the city, population, and industry. As Riyadh grew westward to sustain its rapid growth, Wadi Hanifa was not able to cope with the increasing water demands. As a result, desalinated water was pumped from the Eastern Province of Saudi, causing rising groundwater levels and water contamination. Eventually the wadi witnessed increasing neglect by the city, leading to evacuation of local farmers. “There came a point when it was impossible for us to stay any longer. We left the valley,” reports Matthew Teller from a local farmer Ibrahim al-Salim. [10] [Figure 1] 10 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

Wadi in Context: 11 Yildirim Yavuz and Mohammad The rise of the oil-economies in the Gulf region lead to an exponential growth of each of Al-Asad, On Site Reviews Re- ports, Wadi Hanifa Development their cityscapes. The increase of population and economic boom lead the Saudi government to Plan, 2001-2004, 2. seek help and reach out to foreign expertise to plan future developments. The rapid urban growth 12 Vall Ross, “A River Back from the Dead,” The Global and Mail, has altered the city fabric with various out-of-place architectural interventions and large-scale urban 2007. developments. However, the Wadi Hanifa project situates itself as a culture-sensitive approach to the reserved conservative society and the harsh environment of Saudi Arabia. Wadi Hanifa is located in a dry and arid climate with extremely hot and dry summers averaging over 120℉ degrees in July and winters averaging under 40℉ degrees in January. The Wadi Hanifa wa- tershed’s basin descends from the Tuwaiq escarpments in the Northwestern region of Riyadh along with 40 tributaries that drain into the wadi. Riyadh is known to receive an average of 100 millimeters of rain per year, which all occur during the heavy rainfall seasons between March and April, [11] causing water from these tributaries to flow through the wadi resulting in instant flash floods traveling at 60 km per hour through Wadi Hanifa. [12] Wadi Hanifa extends 120 km from the periphery of the city of Riyadh ranging from 100 me- ters in width in certain areas and extending up to 1000 meters in its most extreme areas. The wadi’s Alrabe | 11 Muneerah Alrabe

ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 3 ZONE 4 ZONE 5 Al-Elb Ad-Diriyah Irgah Alriyadh Al-Masane Al-Mansouriyah

Strategy 40 km A collaborative project facilitating50 km 60 km 70 km 80 km 90 km many players: the ADA, Al Turath, Moriyama & Teshima and Buro Happold, and Bodeker partners

+ + + The Wadi Hanifa Restoration Project

+ The Wadi Hanifa Development Programme

AIMS: Restore+ Develop Wadi as an: Environmental Recreational Tourism resources OBJECTIVES: Conservation of natural environment P er se vroa int s+oa i nt l u i t R es ota reinot cfo sy set m W adn sia udtarn l i a ge Remove disorderly activities and uses hoa tefg i rae s e st P er se vroa ni ot afu tar l c o u sre e n orv ni m e n t Prepare wadi as a drainage course for Riyadh Use of the wadi as a recreational area Enhancing and upgrading agricultural use Preservation and utilization of heritage assets STRATEGY OBJECTIVES.. + VISION. RESTORATION PLAN

12 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

depth ranges from 10 meters to an utmost of 100 meters at its deepest. [13] The valley of the wadi is known to have 40℉ cooler temperatures due to numerous vegetative plant species shading the 13 Yildirim Yavuz and Mohammad Al-Asad, On Site Reviews Re- wadi. [14] ports, Wadi Hanifa Development Plan, 2.

14 Yavuz, Yildirim, Wadi Hanifa Initiation and Development Wetlands The Aga Khan Award One of the main players for the initiation of the project would be Jens Bodeker, of Bodeker for Architecture Report, 2. Partners. His early photographic excursions of the wadi in 1984 exposed the dense vegetative and 15 Ibid, 8. extreme degradation of the wadi. Simultaneously, the wadi was recognized as a health hazard by 16 Wael Samhouri, 2010 On Site Review Report- Wadi Hanifa the SCET International consultants, who were working on Riyadh’s Master Plan, and proposed for Wetlands, 5. the wadi to act as a green belt for the city. However these plans were neglected and not realized. In addition, there were numerous reports from local architects, engineers, and academics by local members of the ADA since the beginning of the 1980s. [15] These reports include technical stud- ies, water resource and flood studies, along with historical and archaeological reports conducted by the ADA within the area.[16] According to reports from Richard Bodeker, Jen Bodeker’s father, “Jens suggested to the president of the ADA and the heads of the departments in charge to explore the wetlands by boat Alrabe | 13 Muneerah Alrabe

17 The Aga Khan Award Com- because the dense riverside vegetation made it nearly impossible to reach the open water.” Thus, mittee, Wadi Hanifa Wetlands The Aga Khan Award for Architecture he was given the opportunity by Abdullatif al Sheikh, the president of the ADA, to train himself and Report. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture: 1994, 5. his partner Uli Riederer for a boat excursion. This resulted in a three month boat expedition that 18 Jens Bodeker and Ulrich allowed them to explore the wadi in 1993. [17] These excursions produced published reports, pho- Reiderer, “Wadi Hanifa Wetlands, Design Proposal”, 1983. tographic archives, and design proposals for the development of the future of Wadi Hanifa wetlands.

19 Yavuz, Yildirim, Wadi Hanifa [18] Wetlands The Aga Khan Award for Architecture Report, 5. As a response, the Arriyadh Development Authority took charge of this project and Saleh Al Fay- zi was the newly appointed director. In 1994, A Development Strategy Plan for Wadi Hanifa was approved and enforced by the High Commission for the Development in Riyadh, yet a failure in the overall planning process pushed for a more comprehensive development, design and implementa- tion plan. As a result, the Wadi Hanifah Comprehensive 10-year Development Plan was contract- ed to the Canadian architecture and planning firm Moriyama & Teshima in partnership with Buro Happold by the ADA in 2001 from a limited competition between invited consultants.[19] However, some sources claim that the architects were chosen during a discussion in which foreign firms were invited to discuss major challenges of Riyadh, “Mr.Stockton outlined the benefits of cleaning up the

14 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

river, and was given the green light. No competition, no fuss”. [20] This decision was a result of the trust earned by Moriyama & Teshima’s previous award winning work in Saudi Arabia’s National Mu- 20 Vall Ross, “A River Back from the Dead,” The Global and Mail, seum.[21] Moriyama & Teshima in partnership with Buro Happold, completed the plan in 2003 and 2007. construction works started in 2004. [22] 21 Vall Ross, “A River Back from the Dead,” The Global and Mail, 2007.

Project Description 22 Buro Happold and Moriyama & With such a large task at hand, the ADA agreed to fund the $580 million project, known as the Teshima, and Arriyadh Devel- opment Authority. 2010. Wadi biggest water reclamation project in Saudi Arabia, in order to remediate their most prominent natural Hanifah Restoration Project, 11. resource. The development, design and implementation plan was developed by the design team 23 “Wadi Hanifa, The Riyadh Waterfront, a Potential for Invest- as the Wadi Hanifa Comprehensive Development Plan (WHCDP). The WHCDP was strategically ment.” Archaeology Magazine (2010), accessed November 16, developed into five components as a 10-year program of works aimed to rehabilitate Wadi Hanifa as 2014. http://www.archaeologic. net/cmds.php?action=new- per the ADA’s long term vision to transform the wadi into an environmental, recreational, and touristic sopen&id=2316 resource. [23] The five components developed were established to: identify ecological characteris- 24 Samhouri, 2010 On Site tics, tackle problems of water management, develop land use plans, rehabilitate the valley, and to Review Report, 4-5. develop a system of checks and balances to control and monitor the wadi. [24]

Alrabe | 15 Muneerah Alrabe

ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 3 ZONE 4 ZONE 5 Al-Elb Ad-Diriyah Irgah Alriyadh Al-Masane Al-Mansouriyah

40 km 50 km 60 km 70 km 80 km 90 km

ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 3 ZONE 4 ZONE 5 Al-Elb Ad-Diriyah Irgah Alriyadh Al-Masane Al-Mansouriyah

N + + + The Wadi Hanifa Restoration Project

40 km 50 km 60 km 70 km 80 km 90 km + The Wadi Hanifa Development Programme

AIMS: Restore+ Develop Wadi as an: Environmental Recreational Tourism resources OBJECTIVES: Al Elb Dam Park Al Nassariyah Park Wadi Hanifa Dam Park Sultana Park Utaigah ParkStone Dam Al-Masane Lake ParkJiz’ah Lake Park Conservation of natural environment P er se vroa int s+oa i nt l u i t R es ota reinot cfo sy set m W adn sia udtarn l i a ge + BalconiesPark Remove disorderly activities and uses hoa tefg i rae s e st P er se vroa ni ot afu tar l c o u sre e n orv ni m e n t Prepare wadi as a drainage course for Riyadh Use of the wadi as a recreational area AL TUWAIQ MOUNTAIN RANGE URBANIZED Enhancing and upgradingWEAK agricultural GEOLOGICAL use Figure 2 Preservation and utilizationFORMATIONS of heritage assets Implementation: HARD GEOLOGICAL FORMATION FLAT AND FERTILE Environmental Classification of the undistirbued residential areas urban area constant dischargeSTRATEGY of water Green belt & Lake Area five zones that make up the Wadi undeveloped land treated sewage +OBJECTIVES excess .. + VISION. Hanifa Project high water table +swamps underground waterRESTORATION discharged PLAN Used for agricultural use underdeveloped plots Agricultural use

IMPLEMENTATION All Images by author, unless PROCESS OF RESTORATION noted otherwise 16 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

25 Teller, “Seeds of High Asia,” 12.

26 Samhouri, 2010 On Site The 120 km (75 miles) project consists of: an area of 10 million square meters of cleaned wadi Review Report, 4. beds, 9 parks, 5 lakes with a total surface area of 25 hectares, 43 kilometers of reengineered and 27 Ibid, 3. resurfaced road structures, 7.4 kilometers of pedestrian promenades, 47 kilometers of recreational trails, and a substantial 500,000 cubic meters of removed trash and rubble. [25] The valley was divided into 5 ecological zones and developed according to their ecological charac- teristics. A framework that guarantees ecological sustainability was established to provide solutions that respond to each of these zones. The first and second zones are undisturbed and are made up of strong rock geological formations inhabited by farmland of wealthy owners. The third and fourth zones consists of flat and fertile lands that run through the city of Riyadh. Due to its close proximity to the city, this zone suffers mostly from heavy effluent discharge from the industrial sector. [26] Finally, the last zone consists of soft rock geological formations allowing for the wadi to widen into a green belt and lake area. This section of the wadi is known to have constant flows of filtered wadi from nearby water treatment plants. [27][Figure 2]. Alrabe | 17 Muneerah Alrabe

constant discharge of water residential areas treated sewage + excess undeveloped land underground water discharged high water table +swamps underdeveloped plots Green belt & ZONE 1 undistirbued ZONE 2 Used for agricultural use ZONE 3 urban area ZONE 4 Agricultural use ZONE 5 Lake Area Ad-Diriyah Irgah Alriyadh Al-Masane Al-Mansouriyah

constant discharge of water residential areas treated sewage + excess undeveloped land underground water discharged N high water table +swamps underdeveloped plots Green belt & undistirbued Lake Area ZONE 1 ZONE 2 Used for agricultural use ZONE 3 urban area ZONE 4 Agricultural use ZONE 5 Al-Mansouriyah 40 km Ad-Diriyah50 km Irgah 60 km 70 km Alriyadh 80 km Al-Masane 90 km

N Al Elb Dam Park Al Nassariyah Park Wadi Hanifa Dam Park Sultana Park Utaigah ParkStone Dam Al-Masane Lake ParkJiz’ah Lake Park 40 km 50 km 60 km 70 km + BalconiesPark80 km 90 km

1. Clear 120 km of dumbing 2. Regrade and flood-profiling + BIO-REMEDIATION +debris from wadi beds. relocation utilities and Road system

NATURALIZATION

Reprofiling cut and fill Al Elb Dam 10Park million m2 cleanedAl Nassariyah wadi beds Park Wadi Hanifa Dam Park Sultana Park Utaigah ParkStone Dam Al-Masane Lake ParkJiz’ah Lake Park 500,000 m3 dumping removed + BalconiesPark PUBLIC SPACE Implementation 1. Clear 120 km of dumbing 2. Regrade and flood-profiling + BIO-REMEDIATION Steps taken by the ADA and 3.+debris Re-vegetation from wadi of beds. indigenous 4.relocation Water Treatment utilities plantand Road + system Remove disorderly activities and uses Prepare wadi as a drainage course for Riyadh Moriyama & Teshima and Buro species of plants recycle water back to the city Use of the wadi as a recreational area Enhancing and upgrading agricultural use Happold during the process of PreservationNATURALIZATION and utilization of heritage assets restoration. Reprofiling cut and fill 10 million m2 cleaned wadi beds 500,000 m3 dumping removed IMPLEMENTATIONPUBLIC SPACE PROCESS OF RESTORATION

3. Re-vegetation of indigenous 4. Water Treatment plant + Remove disorderly activities and uses Prepare wadi as a drainage course for Riyadh species of plants recycle water back to the city Use of the wadi as a recreational area Enhancing and upgrading agricultural use Preservation and utilization of heritage assets IMPLEMENTATION All Images by author, unless PROCESS OF RESTORATION noted otherwise 18 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

constant discharge of water residential areas treated sewage + excess undeveloped land underground water discharged high water table +swamps underdeveloped plots Green belt & ZONE 1 undistirbued ZONE 2 Used for agricultural use ZONE 3 urban area ZONE 4 Agricultural use ZONE 5 Lake Area Ad-Diriyah Irgah Alriyadh Al-Masane Al-Mansouriyah

N

40 km 50 km 60 km 70 km 80 km 90 km

Figure 3 WATER TREATMENT Bioremediation Designed to treat existing problem

ECOSYSTEM that existed prior to the WHCDP.

PUBLIC SPACE 2001 2014

Problems: Solution:

Performed as a sewer system :poor water quality contained Designed an unprecedented cutting-edge bioremediation large quantities of harmful bacteria from sewage facility for cleaning water biologically (non-mechanic)

Health Hazard: limits public use of wadi Reduction of bacteria by aeration + developing a natural biological foodchain to prevent negative impact Pungent Odor permeating the area Remove odor : de-nitrfy the water using a food chain BIO-REMEDIATION PROCESS OF RESTORATION All Images by author, unless noted otherwise Alrabe | 19 Muneerah Alrabe

2014 FO UN TAI N O 2014 FO UN TAI N UT LE T HE A G O A B I OCELL UT LE T T HE A G E D A BG IROCELO U P L1 G R O U P 2 G R O U P 3 T E D G R O U P 1 G R O U P 2 G R O U P 3

Figure 4 Bioremediation I N L E T POOLS BIOCELL S P HYSI C A L Components OUTL I N L E T POOLS BIOCELL S P HYSI C A L A pioneering system, consists of OUTLE T POOLS A E RAT I ON S Y STE M a series of inlet and outlet pools, F O UNT A I N SYST E M MECHA N I CAL A E RAT I ON S Y STE M biocells, fountain and aeration F O UNT A I N SYST E M MECHA N I CAL system. This bioremediation plant WATE R MIXING H A BIT A T F O R ORGANIS M S H A B I TAT FOR F OOD WEB FIS H H A B ITA T FIS H E S WATE R MIXING DEH A -BINETT A RT IFF OI CRA ORTIOGAN NIS M S H A B I TAT FOR F OOD WEB FIA I SRH P HUMA BPITA T M I CROBE S B I O L O GICAL uses a hybrid of natural systems, FIBIRS H DE S DE- NETR IFI C A TIO N A I R P UMP M I CROBE S B I O L O GICAL without the use of any industrial BIRD S RIFF L E ZO N E CENTRA L MARSH LAND B I O CELL H EAD POO L I N L ET CH ANNEL system. RIFF L E ZO N E CENTRA L MARSH LAND B I O CELL H EAD POO L I N L ET CH ANNEL

C O M P ONENT S C O M P ONENT S

All Images by author, unless noted otherwise 20 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

: Water Management 28 “Wadi.” Dictionary.com. The term Wadi is defined both as the Arabic term for valley and as the channel of watercourse that Accessed November 18, 2014. http://dictionary.reference.com/ is usually dry except during periods of rainfall, [28] this describes part of Wadi Hanifa. Wadi Hanifa browse/wadi?s=t. experiences seasonal flows in the first three zones from the northern region, but starting from the 29 Vall Ross, “A River Back from the Dead,” The Global and Mail, north division channel, the water is fed by the city’s treated waste water which continuously flows 2007. throughout the year. [29] Moriyama & Teshima in partnership with Buro Happold sought to resolve 30 Al Hamadi, “Search for the Missing Body of the Young Girl in the seasonal flash floods by widening the wadi beds, reducing the slope of its bank bodies, and Wadi Hanifa,” Al-Isda’ Blog. 2014, accessed November 16, 2014. building catchment areas on both sides. A series of weirs and riffles were also integrated throughout http://www.a9d2.com/13209. the project to help oxygenate the water in order to eliminate bacteria and pollutants. Still, local blogs html. recently reported on several missing bodies due to flash floods. In one case, the body of a six year old was reported to have disappeared in the wadi. [30] Due to the general degradation of water quality, large amounts of bacteria in the water became a health hazard to the city. As a response, one of the largest human-built interventions of the Wadi Hanifa plan was a “state of the art” bioremediation plant [Figure 3]. The large-scale bioremediation plant is located at the crossing of two main highways of Riyadh’s entry point. This plant naturally re-

Alrabe | 21 Muneerah Alrabe

constant discharge of water residential areas treated sewage + excess undeveloped land underground water discharged high water table +swamps underdeveloped plots Green belt & ZONE 1 undistirbued ZONE 2 Used for agricultural use ZONE 3 urban area ZONE 4 Agricultural use ZONE 5 Lake Area Ad-Diriyah Irgah Alriyadh Al-Masane Al-Mansouriyah

constant discharge of water residential areas treated sewage + excess undeveloped land underground water discharged high water table +swamps underdeveloped plots Green belt & ZONE 1 undistirbued ZONE 2 Used for agricultural use ZONE 3 urban area ZONE 4 Agricultural use ZONE 5 Lake Area Ad-Diriyah Irgah Alriyadh Al-Masane Al-Mansouriyah N

40 km 50 km 60 km 70 km 80 km 90 km

CalatropisN Procera + Accacia + Tamarix + mollusks + carp + tilapia + molinesia + frogs + dragon flies + butterflies + spiders + Phagmites australis

40 km 50 km 60 km 70 km 80 km 90 km

Al Elb Dam Park Al Nassariyah Park Wadi Hanifa Dam Park Sultana Park Utaigah ParkStone Dam Al-Masane Lake ParkJiz’ah Lake Park + BalconiesPark

RECYCLED WATER

Al Elb Dam Park Al Nassariyah Park Wadi Hanifa Dam Park Sultana Park Utaigah Stone Dam Al-MasaneECOSYSTEM Lake Jiz’ah Lake Park Park Park Park + Balconies

Figure 5 REUSE WATER Naturalization PUBLIC SPACE A process to reestablish the GREENING THE DESERT: natural vegetation of indigenous ECOSYSTEM COLLECTED CUTTINGS AND SEEDS FROM GREENHOUSE 35,500 SHADE TREES PLANTED 150 PLANTING CELLS DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WADI 6,000 DATE PALM TREES PLANTED ALONG 70 KM OF WADI species of plants and wild animals 50,000 SHRUBS PLANTED of Wadi Hanifa. This process was 2,000 ACACIA TRANSPLANTED PUBLIC SPACE 2001 2014 implemented in hopes to attract NATURALIZATION some of the lost animal species PROCESS OF RESTORATION such as desert foxes, and herons back to the area. NATURALIZATION All Images by author, unless PROCESS OF RESTORATION noted otherwise 22 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

mediates water by incorporating a hybrid of ecological principles. It functions within three large pools 31 Buro Happold and Moriyama & that include multiple denitrification and aeration systems that kill bacteria and allow for an ecological Teshima, and Arriyadh Develop- ment Authority. 2010. Wadi Hani- food system to emerge.[31] [Figure 4] fah Restoration Project, 20-25. This aspect of the project is highly praised for pioneering its simple and natural system. As Matthew 32 Matthew Teller, “An Oasis Where Saudi Citizens Can Teller indicates in his recent BBC report, “Indeed, now that bioremediation has been proved to work Really Relax.” BBC News. May 26, 2012, accessed October in Riyadh, scientists are studying how to transfer the technology to other cities”. [32] However, I 1, 2014. http://www.bbc.com/ news/magazine-18181361. question this ecological infrastructure system as it is located right under the main highway into the 33 “Air Pollution and Water city. This approach seems to tackle water pollution, yet, I wonder how it responds to resolve con- Quality.” EPA United States En- vironmental Protection Authority. cerns of air pollution due to the heavy vehicular flow of traffic coming from above. The air pollutants September 11, 2013. Accessed from the highway deposit directly into the surface of the water, referred to as “atmospheric deposi- November 17, 2014. http:// water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguid- tion”, can cause serious harm to the living organisms within the water. [33] ance/cwa/tmdl/airdeposition_in- dex.cfm. Naturalization: One of the wonderful features of this project is its attempt at re-establishing natural vegeta- tion of the indigenous species of plants. The first step of the naturalization process was to conduct a wildlife inventory of existing animal and plant species, these studies were done in collaboration with

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34 Buro Happold and Moriyama the ADA. After this process of identification, a greenhouse complex was initiated to house samples & Teshima, and Arriyadh Devel- opment Authority. Wadi Hanifah of the identified plant species. These samples were collected from across the undamaged parts Restoration Project, 13-15. of the wadi and were regrown and housed in the greenhouse in order to establish new families 35 Vall Ross, “A River Back from the Dead,” The Global and Mail, of these species. More than 35,500 shading trees, 6,000 date palms trees, 2,000 Acacias 2007. trees, and a total of 50,000 shrubs were planted, covering more than 70 km of the wadi beds.[34] 36 Samhouri, 2010 On Site Review Report, 6. [Figure 5] The naturalization process was implemented in hopes of attracting some of the lost animal

37 “Wadi Hanifa, The Riyadh species such as desert foxes, and herons back to the area. [35] Waterfront, a Potential for Invest- ment.” Archaeology Magazine Land use plan and policy planning: In order to maintain the the health of the wadi, new land use policies that regulated pollution were developed and implemented by the WHCDP. In a 2010 report, Wael Samhouri states that, “the consultants were also asked to develop guidelines for the use as a planning policy document. The ADA recognized that the lack of such planning controls would seriously undermine the restora- tion project.”[36] These guidelines were implemented to regulate real estate development in agricul- tural, recreational, and touristic uses in order to protect the wadi’s environment. [37]

24 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

Social rehabilitation: Traditionally, Riyadh lacks areas of public entertainment spaces due to the religious and cul- 38 “Living in Riyadh.” Expatriate Community for Expats Worldwide. tural restrictions on public life. Riyadh is mostly known for its strict conservative culture, where wom- Accessed November 15, 2014. http://www.internations.org/ en are not allowed to drive or walk freely without a male companion. Most forms of entertainments riyadh-expats/guide/living-in-ri- yadh-15796. are banned, there are no cinemas, no theaters, nor areas for music. Typically the only places that 39 Matthew Teller, “Seeds of High families and friends meet on weekends are large commercial shopping malls. Sometimes, weather Asia.”. permitting, families might even go picnicking in outdoor parks.[38] Therefore, by providing a fami- 40 Samhouri, 2010 On Site ly-oriented environment, the Wadi Hanifa project proved to cure the craving for public space by the Review Report, 11. people of Riyadh. As Hussein Al-Doseri expressed, “It makes me happy, to relax and spend time with my family by the water. It feels like the opposite of Riyadh. Nowadays, if I want to meet friends, I tell them: ‘To the lake!”[39] Another report states that, “One can find diplomats and high-ranking gov- ernment officials in the same place, at the same time as workers from the Indian subcontinent and the Philippines.” [40] The Wadi seems to encourage and attract people from different backgrounds to engage in activities ranging from picnicking to barbecuing to fishing along the river. The Wadi Hanifa project aimed to strengthen cultural identity by reintegrating these cul- turally sensitive private-family-compartments made up of semi-enclosed areas allowing for privacy Alrabe | 25 Muneerah Alrabe

ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 3 ZONE 4 ZONE 5 ZONE 1Al-Elb Ad-Diriyah ZONE 2 Irgah ZONE 3 Alriyadh ZONE 4 Al-Masane ZONE 5 Al-Mansouriyah Al-Elb Ad-Diriyah Irgah Alriyadh Al-Masane Al-Mansouriyah

N N

40 km 50 km 60 km 70 km 80 km 90 km 40 km 50 km 60 km 70 km 80 km 90 km

Al Elb Dam Park Al Nassariyah Park Wadi Hanifa Dam Park Sultana Park Utaigah Park Stone Dam Al-Masane Lake Park Al Jiz’ah Lake Park Al Elb Dam Park Al Nassariyah Park Wadi Hanifa Dam Park Sultana Park Utaigah+ Balconies Park StonePark Dam Al-Masane Lake Park Al Jiz’ah Lake Park + Balconies Park Al Elb Dam Wadia Hanifa Dam Bio-Remediation Plant Stone Dam Jiz’ah Lake Al Elb Dam Wadia Hanifa Dam Bio-Remediation Plant Stone Dam Jiz’ah Lake

Al Turaif District Ad-Diriyah Historical Site Diplomatic Quarter Al-Qurashiya Al Badi’ah Palace Al Turaif District Ad-Diriyah Historical Site Diplomatic Quarter Al-Qurashiya Al Badi’ah Palace

Figure 6 SOCIAL: infrastructure SOCIAL SPACE SOCIAL: infrastructure SOCIAL SPACE Social Infrastructure 9 Major parks 59 LakesMajor parks Road infrastructure and public 7.45 Lakes Pedestrian Promenades Urban / residential Parks Bridges 4.687.4 PedestrianRecreational Promenades Trails Urban / residential Parks RiverBridges / Water flow amenitites implented by the 304.68 ToiletblocksRecreational Trails RoadsRiver / [MajorWater flow+ minor] industrial 2,00030 Toiletblocksparking spaces Lakes PointsRoads [Majorof Interest` + minor] industrial WHCDP. 7302,000 wayfindingparking spaces and signage Lakes Points of Interest` 2,500730 wayfindinglights stand and signage 6002,500 lightlights features stand 600 light features SOCIAL SOCIALINFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE

All Images by author, unless noted otherwise 26 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

from other neighboring compartments. Each one of these compartments is located on a stepped 41 Buro Happold and Moriyama platform enclosed with limestone walls, so that women and families are protected and screened & Teshima, and Arriyadh Devel- opment Authority. Wadi Hanifah from passers-by. This allows for a semi-private area within a public park, it responds to the conserv- Restoration Project. ative Saudi culture. Saudi Arabia is known to have a car-oriented culture, the plan sought to rebuild 42 Samhouri, 2010 On Site Review Report, 12. the existing road network to allow for more efficient traffic flows, and to eliminate air pollution. In fact, the entire infrastructure services were reworked and consolidated into a 4-meter channel running under the Wadi beds, resulting in the creation of 2000 parking spaces throughout the project. [41] Although, reports today confirm that these parking spots are insufficient: “Thus cars tread and encroach on places that have been heavily landscaped (both hard and soft landscaping) destroying plants and edgings.”[42] As a result, this celebrated public space attracts large amounts of families all over the 9 ma- jor parks dispersed around 5 constructed lakes [Figure 6]. However, due to the increasing number of visitors, we must be cautious to the repercussions, since the people of Riyadh have a reputation for throwing trash everywhere. Layla, one of the parks visitors, voiced her concern about trash in the area in one of the online blogs, “people literally picnic next to piles of trash”.[43] In addition, other

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comments in other local blogs raise concerns about the pungent odor that emanates from different 43 Matthew Teller, “A Wadi Runs Through It.” Quite Alone. May parts of the wadi. This proves that there is still much more work to be done in terms of educating 24, 2012. Accessed November 10, 2014. http://quitealone. the public on maintaining the site’s environmental goals. com/2012/05/24/a-wadi-runs- through-it/.

44 Matthew Teller, “An Oasis Challenges and criticisms: Where Saudi Citizens Can Really Relax.” BBC News. Overall, the Wadi Hanifa is a successful project that truly integrates social activity and eco- nomic development with physical and biological processes of its natural landscape, however, this project has some pitfalls. Some criticize the project as a greenwashing attempt by the government to gain international recognition. These criticisms are legitmaized by the too often ignored presence of extreme poverty in Saudi Arabia, a place where almost a third of the households are still uncon- nected to mainline sewage.[44] That along with the project’s high cost, raises human and water rights issues of the dispersed local citizens of Saudi, yet, these problems are ongoing and seem to continuously be neglected by the government. In addition, it appears that the ADA has “bought out” this plan by hiring world-renowned conservation architects & planners and completely trusting in their designs. Nonetheless, in the specific case of Riyadh, this might be one of the major reasons for the

28 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

success of this project. 45 Vall Ross, “A River Back from the Dead,” The Global and Mail, In addition, the project is a shining example of policy planning and land use development 2007. overall. However, there are major consequences as the value of real estate around the wadi has 46 “Wadi Hanifa, The Riyadh Waterfront, a Potential for Invest- risen up tenfold.[45] One of the ADA representatives, Engineer Sultan, has voiced his thoughts ment.” Archaeology Magazine on land use policy conditions, stating that their main concern was to maintain the area as an en- vironment preservation area, which “does not become another real estate development area that damages the environment of the wadi.”[46] However, the consequences of the success of the wadi might lead to gentrification within the area, driving local farmers and residents out of the wadi. Yet, a counter argument to that, would be that this gentrification process could benefit the “aesthetic” value of the wadi and encourage local farmers to maintain and regulate the areas around their farms. Finally, one of the biggest issues is the high cost equating to a $580 billion allocated to an exclusively governmental project brings up questions of sustainable future management. How sustainable is it for the government to maintain this project financially? With such large initial costs and future maintenance costs, my assumption is that the government will need to seek out other sources for investments. Involving the private sector could be a beneficial window of opportunity, not

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only to encourage the private sector to invest in maintenance but to provide the wadi with ameni- 47 Dioum, Baba. Speech, Gen- eral Assembly from International ties such as street vendors and other public features that might start to take responsibility or adopt Union for Conservation of Nature, New Delhi, 1968. certain parts of the project. Having said that, the top-down governmental approach proves to be an indicator of a successful strategy for initiation. The Wadi Hanifa project was allowed to become a living wadi, only with the support from a strong governmental backup both financially and politically. One of the greatest potentials of the Wadi Hanifa project is its undeveloped educational capability to raise awareness and encourage the future generation to take more responsibility of their natural resources. There are ongoing developments to build an educational center to raise the envi- ronmental consciousness of the residents of Riyadh. In my opinion, this is one of the most important aspects of the project that needs to be urgently addressed. In order to preserve the environmental benefits of the wadi, users need to be actively involved in the conservation plans to feel a sense of ownership to the project. As the wise words of Baba Dioum state, “In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” [47]

30 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

Conclusion: The Wadi Hanifa Project is a successful project that defined new realms of technological and creative interventions in environmental planning. This project proves to be truly a successful project in remediating the urban ecosystem that once existed in the wadi beds of Wadi Hanifa. These successes include the restoration of the wadi’s ecological habitats through the process of naturalization. The project’s groundbreaking simple approach to water purification through the various water interventions within the waterscape and the wastewater treatment facilities. Finally, the culturally and environmentally conscious design decisions were key elements to transform the wadi into an entertainment public space for the city. These elements are all replicable in other areas of the world, however, I truly believe that the key component to the initial success of this project is its top-down governmental approach. This project would not have been implemented without the ADA’s financial and authoritative support. Nevertheless, the success of the project does have some repercussions that might hinder the progress of the wadi. One of the main worries for the development of this project, is its financial burden of long-term maintenance costs on the ADA and the Saudi government, which might hope- fully lead to involving local private investors to ease the financial burden. In addition, the increase in real estate value around the project could lead to displacing local farmers, this would cause a culture Alrabe | 31 Muneerah Alrabe

conundrum as these farmers have resided in this area for centuries. Finally, the project’s main concern should aim to resolve and moderate the human activity waste along the wadi. There is an urgent need for an educational program to be strictly implemented. However, the project does prove to have the potential to facilitate new forms of social collectivity and environmental literacy.

32 Ecological Urbanism: Wadi Hanifa

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Image Sources:

All images produced by author unless noted otherwise. Background Google Maps used: Google Earth Pro 7.1.2.2041. (October 7, 2013). Wadi Hanifa, Saudi Arabia. 24°38’30.36”N, 46°40’3.22”E, Eye alt 24.47 mi. Image landsat, DigitalGlobe 2014. (Accessed October 3, 2014).

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