In a move reflecting the growing status of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the global urban planning map, the 61st session of the International Council of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) concluded yesterday in the capital, Riyadh, with an important announcement: the Riyadh Municipality officially joined the international organization, culminating in the great efforts led by the municipality in developing the urban landscape of the capital.
A global event in the heart of Riyadh
The events organized by the Riyadh Municipality in cooperation with the International Association of City and Regional Planners witnessed wide participation, with over 1,200 experts, planners, professionals, and academics attending from more than 50 countries worldwide. The sessions and workshops discussed the future of urban planning, highlighting the most prominent challenges facing contemporary cities amidst rapid transformations.
Strategic context and ambitious vision
Riyadh's hosting of this global event and its accession to the organization come at a strategic time, coinciding with the massive urban development underway in the Kingdom under the umbrella of "Saudi Vision 2030." Riyadh aims to become one of the top 10 city economies in the world, focusing on major projects that aim to improve the quality of life, such as "Green Riyadh" and "King Salman Park," making sound urban planning a fundamental pillar for achieving these goals.
Future challenges and solutions
In his address at the closing ceremony, Saleh Al-Saif, Assistant Undersecretary for Urban Planning at the Riyadh Municipality, emphasized that the discussions held throughout the council's sessions were not merely theoretical, but rather addressed pressing urban, economic, and digital issues. Al-Saif noted that the topics discussed included:
- Developing infrastructure, the housing and transportation sectors.
- The role of data and artificial intelligence in city management.
- Climate challenges, quality of life, and the development of public spaces.
He explained that the council's outputs will be transformed into a knowledge legacy that is preserved electronically, to serve as a reference for experts and decision-makers, including modernization policies and applicable implementation projects.
Youth empowerment and sustainable partnership
For her part, the President of the International Organization of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), Elisabeth Belbayer, praised the exceptional level of organization and participation, describing the event as “unprecedented.” She highlighted the “YPP – Youth Planner” initiative, which gave the new generation a platform to present their innovative visions, reflecting the ambitious spirit of youth in the Kingdom.
Bilbayer stressed that the Riyadh Region Municipality's joining the organization is not the end, but rather the beginning of ongoing cooperation aimed at enhancing outputs and transforming ideas into practical programs that serve people and places.
The impact of joining the organization
Riyadh's membership in IOSOCARP, one of the oldest and most prestigious organizations in the field of urban planning, is an international recognition of the efficiency of Saudi planning. This membership will contribute to the exchange of global expertise and the application of best international practices in the planning of Saudi neighborhoods and cities, ensuring the creation of more humane and sustainable urban environments that meet the aspirations of the capital's residents and visitors.
