Comprehensive strategic planning for Arriyadh
To keep up with the rapidly growing pace of the city that has grown from (300 thousand people) in 1968 to (five million people) in 2010, the commission has focused on laying down a structural base by taking into consideration all the necessary elements for the its development such as the urban, structural, environmental, economic, social and cultural elements; in addition to transport, housing, public services and infrastructure.
This city planning is a reference for any future development of the capital and as also a means to control all elements that affect its growth. Carried out in three phases, this initiative is a work in progress that propels the cities’ sustainable evolution.
King Abdul Aziz Historic Center
Strategic regional planning for Arriyadh
Balanced development in Arriyadh region which is made up of 19 cities with an area of 374,370 square kms, representing 17 percent of the total area of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (total population 6.3 million) is being carried out via controlled evolution of towns and provinces. This must take place in accordance to a comprehensive urban plan that deals with the slow growth in most of the regional provinces which forces qualified people to migrate to the larger cities to find work.
The development of the region needs greater vision and strategic programmes that will launch an all-out development process overall. This is the target of the high commission for the development of Arriyadh in cooperation with the regional council. This project aims to improve infrastructure throughout the suburbs and provinces through a unified effort that employs all public and private departments working together.
Executive development programmes
The second aspect of the HCDA in developing Arriyadh is the focus on initiatives in response to the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
Overview of Riyadh with King Fahad Street and Al-Faisaliah Tower, displaying the dynamic metropolis development of the city
The Diplomatic Quarter
This is a new neighborhood to accommodate embassies, regional and international organizations, with its own cultural aspects such as the cultural centre and another area for holding conferences and exhibitions. Beautifully styled, the architecture of the neighborhood reflects the traditional Saudi Arabian design that matches the regional environment with its open places and elegant landscaping. The natural ambience was artfully leveraged to create isolators to protect against traffic pollution.
Al-Direyiah Development
This is the first capital of the Saudi state. Al-Direyah has its social, historic, political and cultural values, in addition to its unique location, on the bank of Wadi Hanifa valley. Al-Direyah is blossoming as part of the capital or high-end cultural and tourist suburb with a historic town and the upgrading of old neighborhoods. Covering the social aspects of the town such as the security of the people, economy heritage and culture, the town is being rehabilitated to become a global hub for heritage and culture.
King Khaled International Airport
Al-Hukm Palace area
The commission went to the beating heart of the capital, the historic hub with all its traditional and commercial areas. The strategy to develop Al-Hukm palace area came in recognition of its pivotal historical, administrative and cultural role in the history of the capital. The central part of king Fahd Road that crosses the city from south to north was upgraded and Assalam Park was built, together with the Court of Justice. It is now trying to widen its remit to cover other old buildings in the heart of the city.
King Abdulaziz Historical Centre
Launched in 1999 to commemorate the centenary of the Kingdom foundation by the late King Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, the centre is located in the historic Al- Murabaa neighborhood, which includes Al- Murabaa Palace that used to stand as King Abdul-Aziz Court. When designed, it was clear that it should look like an integral part of the architectural fabric of the area and the environment around it. Additionally, it should offer services to people living in the crowded districts in the middle of town. That is why greenery predominates.
High Commission for the Developent of Arriyadh
Wadi Hanifa development
Wadi Hanifa is considered one of the most important land marks in Arriyadh. It crosses the city from far north to far south. It is 120 kms. in length with 40 sub valleys that bring about 7000 cm. of water with nearly half million palm trees growing around it. During previous decades, the valley deteriorated due to unchecked practices that harmed the environment. Today damage such as industrial activity, traffic, pollution is being tackled in order to rehabilitate the area to protect water sources, upgrade sewage systems and infrastructure sustainably. Ultimately, treeplanting, the construction of lanes and parking lots as well as overall measures to protect the valley and its tributaries, are transforming this area for the better.
Al Thumamah Park Development
To be built 85 kms from the city centre, near Al-Thumamah Ranch, northeast of the capital, the late custodian of the two Holy Mosques, King Fahd Ibn Abdul- Aziz gave part of this ranch to be included in this leisure development to be completed during the next 15 years. The Chamber of Commerce in Arriyadh has been invited to offer a plan for setting up a company to develop the park with the participation of investors, financers and banks estimated at 2.5 b. SR. with an aim to create over 3000 jobs to service this integrated development.
The Saudi Air Club and King Khalid Centre for Wild Life Research are also operating in the 10 square kms park with another portion of the area being dedicated to the King Abdul- Aziz Centre for the Arab Horse to create an open space as natural pastures for developing the best Arab horse breeds.
King Abdullah Road’s Corridor
This initiative is transforming Arriyadh into a multi- centre city by creating ‘activity spines’ and establishing new urban hubs distributed on the edges of the city. The most important of these activity spines is the corridor of King Abdullah Road which extends from King Fahd Stadium on the east to King Khalid Road.
In implementing this project several elements have been taken into consideration such as: Treatment of ground water, environment safety, pedestrian’s needs and economic capabilities in order to prepare the corridor to absorb light train transport and a means of modern traffic management to protect housing units on the sides of the road.
Light Rail
Diversifying transport systems for the growing population of Arriyadh has been that is anticipated to cross 8.3 million inhabitants by 2030 means that city planners must upgrade public transport in the city including the establishment of a light railway. The corridor of King Abdulllah’s Road and Olaya- Batha area has been earmarked for the first phase for this transport revolution.