A PLAN to construct residential complexes for foreign workers on the outskirts of Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh has been given the go-ahead, a report said.

The High Commission for Riyadh Development (HCRD) has approved the construction of complexes that will be located in four places and house workers in unskilled, technical and supervisory positions, Arab News reported, adding that there would also be housing projects for administrators and engineers. The HCRD has developed construction guidelines for the residential complexes in co-ordination with the Secretariat of the Riyadh Region, the report said.

The study included an assessment of the current housing plan for workers in Riyadh, the regulations being implemented and lessons that can be learned from other countries. The guidelines are meant to provide comfort and safety standards, besides ensuring service and healthcare facilities.

Under the guidelines, the land devoted to the project must be a minimum of 80,000 sq m and should not be located in valleys or flood-prone areas. The project should include streets, open arenas, stadiums and parking places. Buildings should have a maximum of four floors, and walls surrounding the complex should not exceed 4 m, in addition to a minimum allocation of 10 sq m per worker.