Ministry of Municipalities and Housing: 47 aerial survey projects over 56 years provide a geospatial database covering more than 771,000 km²

Monday 28 September 2026

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The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, represented by the Urban Planning and Land Agency, revealed the implementation of (47) aerial survey and map production projects since 1970, which contributed to building a geospatial database covering more than (771,172) square kilometers; which supported urban planning work, and provided historical and modern aerial images of the urban area in various regions of the Kingdom, which enhances decision-making and supports the implementation of development projects.

This data documents a journey spanning (56) years, which witnessed continuous development in aerial surveying work, from analog film images to high-resolution digital photography, within the framework of developing the geospatial information system on which government agencies rely in planning and managing urban development.

The ministry explained that the aerial survey projects were implemented in successive phases covering various regions of the Kingdom, and contributed to the formation of an integrated national archive of aerial photographs and the updating of spatial data, which raises the efficiency of urban planning, enhances the accuracy of studies and plans, and provides a reliable spatial reference for development projects.

The data showed that the aerial surveying system witnessed a gradual shift in the use of technologies, starting from black and white photography, through color photography, then high-resolution digital photography, and finally the production of digital real estate maps, reflecting the development that surveying and information systems work in the Kingdom has witnessed over the past decades.

In an important milestone in the quality development journey, the Ministry obtained the ISO certificate for the Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2008) on October 19, 2010. The scope of the certificate included activities for the production and provision of spatial information, including aerial surveying, ground surveying, photogrammetric maps, topographic maps, real estate surveying, real estate maps, remote sensing, land information systems, and geographic information systems, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to applying global quality standards in managing aerial surveying projects and producing geospatial data.

The ministry affirmed its continued development of the aerial photography, topographic and real estate mapping system, which enhances the integration of spatial information, raises the efficiency of urban planning, and supports the implementation of development initiatives and projects, in line with the objectives of sustainable urban development and quality of life .

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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia