The theme of this year’s World Environment Day is “Ecosystem Restoration”. To restore is to “return something to its former condition”. This is part of our mission as planners, engineers and architects, where it supports a more sustainable built and natural environment. An example of this is our work on restoring the natural ecosystem of Wadi Al-Adira Valley in Hail, Saudi Arabia.

Environmental Rehabilitation and Restoration of Wadi Al-Adira Valley, KSA

Located in north-central Saudi Arabia, Wadi Al-Adira Valley extends for 130km in the Hail region. The valley and wetlands areas are of regional and national importance in terms of biodiversity, and form a natural ecosystem providing a suitable place for migratory birds, which play a vital role in the hydrological cycle of the region.

However, a large part of the valley is now located in an inhabited urban area, posing unprecedented challenges to the ecosystem’s sustainability. Leakage from water and irrigation networks has increased the water level, leading to the dense growth of reeds and other plants. This has led to the emergence of stagnant water pockets in the valley, making it a breeding ground for insects, and it has also become a dumping site for garbage which has further adversely affected the valley, both visually and environmentally.

Valley Recovery

In response to the degradation of the environment and the challenges it has created, K&A was commissioned to assess the existing conditions, and to propose appropriate solutions to restore the valley’s vegetation cover, and its ecological and environmental conditions. We are also responsible for developing a multidimensional transformative program to help reposition the valley as a centre of social interaction and recreational areas. K&A is also tasked with transforming the valley into an ecological and sustainable green corridor, preserving its wealth of lakes, wetlands, desert parks, and restoring its biodiversity.

To date, K&A’s team has undertaken numerous site visits and surveys analysing the valley’s water and soil quality, detecting sources of contamination and levels of pollution, and defining sources of water discharges that are seeping to the valley.

Moreover, environmental studies have been conducted on the stagnant water, the existing vegetation, and endangered species to recommend strategic solutions that will help restore and sustain the valley’s natural ecosystem.

Our planet is suffering, and the Covid-19 pandemic is a perfect reminder of how environmental degradation contributes to the spread of viruses. By shrinking the area of natural habitat for animals, we have created ideal conditions for pathogens – including coronaviruses – to spread. War, poverty, illegal exploitation of natural resources, and hazardous waste mismanagement all destroy the natural ecosystems, and thus affect the quality of our lives. So let’s take the opportunity to preserve what is left of our ecosystems and try to restore what has been destroyed.