Saudi Arabia is seeking to “double the size and population” of its capital Riyadh in the next decade, Reuters reports, citing comments from Fahd Al-Rasheed, president of Riyadh’s royal commission.
Al-Rasheed said the government has “already committed some $266.6 billion for ongoing and new projects as part of total investments of some $800 billion over the next 10 years in participation with the private sector to transform the city,” Reuters reports.
“The idea is for Riyadh to become a 15 million person city by 2030,” he told Reuters, saying growth would create jobs. “Riyadh is already the epicenter of economic development in the country and the region … We have now the ambitious plan under Vision 2030 of doubling both our economy and population over the next 10 years.”
The big plans for Riyadh are continuing apace despite economic headwinds and the global Coronavirus pandemic.
The accelerated investment to double the size of the city over the next decade continues a trend of the past decade. To frequent outside visitors and traveling businessmen, Riyadh’s appearance seems to change with each arrival. Just a few years ago, many of the city’s iconic buildings, landmarks, and roads were only planned or under construction. One such project, the $10 billion Riyadh Metro, is approaching completion after years of construction, bringing online a new transportation option that will connect its citizens to each other without the requirement of a car and patience with traffic jams. Construction also continues apace at the King Abdullah Financial Center and an industrial zone in the capital.
Riyadh seasons attracted millions and marked a new social chapter in the history of Riyadh.
Riyadh is also developing a brand new mega-entertainment complex just outside of the city, Qiddiya, that will serve as both a domestic and international attraction.
Within the city, Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched in March last year four major well-being projects in Riyadh with a cost of 23 billion U.S. dollars, including a “sports boulevard” and King Salman Park, Green Riyadh and Riyadh Art projects.
Saudi Arabia also confirmed that it would continue ahead with a massive expansion and restoration to the Diriyah Gate area in Riyadh.
The city’s physical appearance isn’t the only change taking place. Recent social changes like allowing women to drive, a relaxation of strict social rules, and a booming youth population have given the city a more dynamic, vibrant feeling. Take, for example, the overwhelming success of the recently-completed Riyadh Season, a series of events and entertainment offerings once unimaginable just a few years ago. The Riyadh Season ran from Oct 11, 2019 – Dec 15, 2019 and featured outdoor dining and entertainment offerings, culture-themed shows, concerts and more.
The acceleration of development and focus on improvement of quality of life and jumpstarting a new tourism boom are all key parts of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic and social reform blueprint, introduced in 2016.
Al-Rasheed said “most of the projects to transform the city are scheduled for completion between 2023 and 2025, but parts of the metro would be running by year’s end,” Reuters reports.
