Public utility markets are among the most important service facilities in any city, as they are linked to people's daily lives and their basic needs for food and services that directly affect citizens and residents. In a city the size of Jeddah, which is experiencing rapid urban and population expansion, it has become necessary to reconsider the locations and operating methods of these markets, many of which still operate with the same old mindset despite the city's transformation and growth. Some public utility markets in Jeddah have become traffic congestion points and urban bottlenecks, and reaching them has become a daily ordeal, especially for residents of distant neighborhoods to the north, east, and south. Moreover, many of these sites no longer reflect the image of a modern city striving to improve quality of life and humanize the urban landscape.

Central Fish Market in West Jeddah... A Daily Ordeal and an Uncivilized Image: The central fish market in Jeddah is one of the most prominent examples of this problem. The market, which once served a limited urban area, is now far from the new population density that has expanded significantly to the north and east of Jeddah. The journey to the market takes a long time, made more difficult by daily traffic congestion and exhausting violations. The problem does not end with the distance, but extends to the weak infrastructure inside the market itself, as visitors suffer from a lack of designated parking spaces and poor management, causing constant bottlenecks and traffic chaos around the site. Moreover, the dilapidated buildings, outdated facilities, and odors resulting from poor ventilation or obsolete operating systems have left the market lacking even the minimum visual appeal and urban organization.

In a city moving toward development and improving quality of life, it does not seem logical that one of its most vital markets should remain in such a state, which does not match Jeddah's status or its future projects. The market today does not offer a model for humanizing cities, nor does it reflect any aesthetic or organizational dimension befitting a large coastal and tourist city.

Central Fruit and Vegetable Market in Downtown Jeddah... An Old Location No Longer Suitable: The same applies to the fruit and vegetable market located in central Jeddah, which has become surrounded by high urban and population density. The current location is no longer suitable for the volume of commercial traffic and daily movement of trucks and shoppers. The congestion and chaos within the area negatively affect traffic flow and the shopping experience. Despite the market's importance as a major food hub, its current state does not keep pace with modern developments in central market management worldwide, where these markets are now operated according to modern standards including organization, cleanliness, easy access, parking availability, and support services. Moreover, the continued presence of this market in the heart of the urban block creates significant traffic pressure and affects the quality of life for nearby residents, at a time when Jeddah needs to distribute services rather than concentrate them in limited locations.

Central Livestock Market in South Jeddah... Chaos and Disorganized Behavior: As for the sheep market in south Jeddah, it represents another challenge related to organization, oversight, and quality of dealings. Shoppers encounter chaos in display and sales, in addition to uncivilized practices by some workers, whether in marketing style or how they treat customers. Many complain about the lack of clear organization, weak support services, and the site's lack of a safe and comfortable shopping environment for families. Amid growing interest in improving the beneficiary experience and raising service levels, the need to restructure these markets to serve the public interest and preserve the dignity of both shopper and seller is urgent.

Central Slaughterhouses... Is It Time for Change or Development? Slaughterhouses are also an essential part of the public utility system, but they often suffer from seasonal overcrowding and weak geographic distribution, forcing residents to travel long distances to obtain service, especially during seasons and holidays. The important question here is: Is there a clear future vision for redistributing public utility services within Jeddah? And can these traditional markets be transformed into modern urban centers that keep pace with population growth and urban expansion?

Spice Market... It is impossible to talk about developing public utility markets in Jeddah without mentioning the spice market, which is part of the city's commercial and heritage identity and represents an important element in Hejazi culture and local cuisine. Despite the great importance of this commercial activity, the current spice markets, like other traditional markets, suffer from overcrowding, poor organization, narrow alleys, lack of adequate parking, in addition to the spread of informal workers and the absence of a modern environment that preserves product quality and provides a comfortable and safe shopping experience.

Cold Storage and Logistics Services... Cold storage and logistics services are a fundamental element in any modern project for public utility markets. They are not just support services but the backbone for ensuring the quality, safety, and efficient timely delivery of food products to consumers. In a large city like Jeddah, establishing integrated centers that include modern cold storage will make a significant difference in organizing fish, vegetable, and meat markets, especially given the high temperatures and high volume of daily commercial traffic.

The Possible Solution... Four Integrated Centers to Serve Jeddah: Perhaps the optimal solution is to establish four integrated public utility centers geographically distributed across north, south, east, and west Jeddah, encompassing all basic services under one roof, such as: fish market, fruit and vegetable market, sheep and livestock market, modern slaughterhouses, cold storage and logistics services, restaurants and service areas, and large organized parking lots. These centers should be implemented using modern urban designs that consider environmental, aesthetic, and organizational aspects, transforming them from mere traditional markets into integrated service destinations that reflect the city's development. Distributing these services across multiple locations will help reduce traffic pressure, alleviate congestion in central Jeddah, bring services closer to residents, enhance the shopping experience, and improve the overall urban landscape. These projects can also be offered in partnership with the private sector as sustainable investment projects that generate economic returns, create jobs, and support quality-of-life goals and Saudi Vision 2030.

Jeddah Deserves Markets Befitting It: Today's Jeddah is not what it was thirty or forty years ago; it is a sprawling city with high population density and significant economic and tourism diversity. Therefore, continuing to rely on old centralized markets is no longer a practical or civilized solution. Developing public utility markets is no longer a luxury but a service, urban, and economic necessity. Citizens and residents deserve organized, nearby, clean, and easily accessible services that reflect the image of a modern city built on concepts of quality and putting people first. Perhaps it is time to take a bold decision to redraw the map of public utility markets in Jeddah, making them part of the city's future, not a burden from its past.