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Al Khobar is taking a major step towards becoming the region’s first green smart city, with an ambitious plan to digitally tag 100,000 trees across the coastal hub. Spearheaded by the Eastern Province Municipality, the initiative combines cutting-edge technology with environmental stewardship, creating a live digital map of the city’s urban forest.

Each tree will receive an electronic tag containing details such as its location, ecological value, and maintenance needs, recorded in both Arabic and English. This interactive database will be accessible for monitoring, care, and long-term planning, all part of a wider effort to boost Al Khobar’s position on the global Smart Cities Index, where it currently ranks 61st.

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So far, more than 10,000 trees have been tagged in key areas including the South Corniche, North Corniche, the waterfront, and along major roads. The municipality hopes the project will encourage corporate participation in greening initiatives and attract investment in smart infrastructure, while strengthening the city’s environmental credentials.

Once complete, the initiative will link every planted tree to a dynamic online system, offering a blueprint for how urban spaces can integrate sustainability and innovation. By blending technology and nature, Al Khobar is positioning itself as a model for eco-friendly urban development in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

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