Saudi Arabia last month officially launched the Cooled Pedestrian Walkway Project in Makkah. This initiative forms part of the kingdom’s broader strategy to enhance infrastructure services for millions of pilgrims and improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, environmentalists commend the project for its innovative employment of recycled materials and dedication to sustainable infrastructure in a significant global religious hub.

The new climate-controlled walkway project, which was inaugurated by Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Roads General Authority (RGA) Engineer Saleh Al-Jasser, is designed to significantly improve comfort and mobility in key pilgrimage areas, particularly under extreme weather conditions.

The Cooled Roads initiative, also known as the White Road project – first launched in 2023 in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals – has expanded by 82 per cent, a testament to its success in enhancing environmental conditions during peak pilgrimage seasons.

To date, more than 84,000 sq m of roads in the Arafat area have been resurfaced using advanced, locally produced recycled materials. These innovative materials are engineered to reduce surface temperatures by up to 12 deg C, while reflecting 30 to 40 per cent more sunlight during the morning hours. This not only mitigates the urban heat island effect but also improves overall air quality, thereby creating a healthier and more comfortable environment for pilgrims.

More than 84,000 sq m of roads in Arafat have been resurfaced using heat-reflective and recycled materials.

In parallel, Saudi Arabia is also advancing its flexible rubber road initiative, which has seen a 33 per cent increase in coverage. These specially formulated surfaces use rubberised asphalt  to soften pedestrian pathways, providing increased safety and walking comfort, particularly for the elderly. The rubberised asphalt is made from recycled car tyres obtained from local landfills. Saudi Arabia discards more than 23 million used tyres each year. Transforming these tyres into road materials mitigates environmental risks, prevents the release of toxic leachates, and lowers emissions from both incineration and prolonged degradation.

The most recent extension now covers a stretch from the Namira Mosque to the Arafat Train Station, bringing the total area of flexible pavement to 16,000 sq m. A study by the Road Research Centre has validated the material’s performance, confirming its role in reducing joint stress and preventing injuries among users.

In an effort to integrate environmental sustainability with human-centered design, the project also features a new green corridor. Trees have been planted along a 1,200-m stretch between the Namira Mosque and the train station to provide natural shading and improve microclimate conditions. To further enhance comfort, air-cooling mist systems and water fountains have been installed, in partnership with the Abdulrahman Fakieh Charitable Foundation.

As part of the inclusive design vision, the minister also inaugurated a dedicated 4,000-m accessibility route to Mount Arafat. Constructed with specially engineered cooled paving materials, this path reduces ground vibrations and ensures a smoother journey for individuals with disabilities and their companions.

The Roads General Authority, which oversees and regulates the kingdom’s road sector, continues to push forward with transformative projects that reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to infrastructure excellence. The RGA aims to rank sixth globally in road quality by 2030, while also working to reduce traffic fatalities to below five per 100,000 inhabitants.