The Civic Landscape Plan sets out a public park and open space strategy for Dhahiat Sumou (DS), the first new community of the Bawabat Makkah lands. In support of the Bawabat Makkah Development Plan by DPZ, the DS Civic Landscape Plan establishes a typology of parks and open space, potential facilities programming, landscape standards and guidelines, and landscape concept designs for nine park and open space demonstration sites.   

​

The Typology of Parks, Open Space and Streetscapes constructs categories of open space as characteristic elements within an urban block. This is accompanied by a Landscape Regulation Code that establishes minimum standards and guidelines for design, construction and maintenance of civic landscape based on sustainability, walkability, comfort and aesthetics. 

​

Concept designs for open space demonstration sites are configured, designed and sized to respond to their surrounding context and accommodate active and passive recreational programming. Community service facilities, neighbourhood Mosques and Jumah Mosques are often sited adjacent to open spaces to reinforce parks as central to religious and civic life. Stormwater management provisions including streetscape bioswales and retention basins in parks are introduced in response to demands of infrequent but substantial flash flood runoff. Landscape schemes offer three levels of landscape treatment - Arid, Green or Lush – depending on capital investment and maintenance capacity. The plan encourages the use of drought tolerant, low maintenance and indigenous plant material throughout.