JEDDAH: Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) started the first phase of the biggest cultural project in the world at cost of SR75 billion ($20 billion), marking the start of a bold new era of construction for the city of Diriyah in Riyadh province.
Seven square kilometers of the historic city of Diriyah, just 15 minutes northwest of Riyadh, are to be transformed into one of the world’s foremost lifestyle destinations for culture, hospitality, retail and education.
Officials hope the destination attracts local and international visitors alike through its world-class entertainment and events.
In line with design, development and preservation standards, DGDA will create an environment that enhances Diriyah’s national and international relevance, including the preservation of the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site, which sits at the heart of the development.
Careful restoration of historic Diriyah has been undertaken to create a living heritage site, which echoes the remarkable past of the first capital of Saudi Arabia.
Diriyah Gate draws on the influence of 300-year-old Najdi architecture, albeit newly adapted for 21st-century living. It will comprise the Kingdom’s most walkable collection of heritage and culture offerings including more than 20 Saudi cultural attractions.
DGDA’s giga-project will feature an array of world-class cultural, entertainment, retail, hospitality, educational, office and residential areas, including more than 20 hotels, a diverse collection of museums, a bustling retail heart and more than 100 places to dine.
The project includes a series of outdoor plazas as well as a 3-kilometer escarpment walk offering views across the historic Wadi Hanifah.
The premier cultural and lifestyle destination will be home to a population of 100,000 and hopes to attract 25 million visitors annually — a place to gather, explore, shop, dine, live and work.
One of the first areas to benefit from the transformation is the Bujairi district. Over the coming year, Bujairi will experience a major upgrade that will significantly beautify the area, improve infrastructure and enhance the quality of life for the community.
The new streetscape will honor the history of Diriyah with careful landscaping, as well as bike tracks, horse bridle paths and shaded pedestrian walkways.
Bujairi will soon be home to Riyadh’s new premium dining hub, enhanced by uninterrupted views of At-Turaif; Diriyah Art Oasis, one of Saudi Arabia’s first arts centers dedicated to contemporary art; and the Najdi-style 142-key Samhan Heritage Hotel.
A key aspect of the development is the restoration of two square kilometers of the Wadi Hanifah, forming part of DGDA’s masterplan.
This will include the restoration of the historic palm groves and farms, combined with new walking trails and picnic areas for the community to enjoy.
In addition to Bujairi and Wadi Hanifah, the initial phase includes the start of work on one of the world’s most complex underground infrastructure projects.
This will involve the movement of approximately nine million cubic meters of soil, equivalent to 3,600 50-meter long Olympic swimming pools. Excavating 15 meters below ground level, the project will result in three kilometers of tunnels and 10,500 car parking spaces, using 1.2 million cubic meters of concrete.
The first stage of the work will cover 1,320,000 square meters, approximately the size of 185 football pitches.
“We are overjoyed to take the first steps in our construction, moving from vision to reality. Diriyah Gate will become a global cultural and lifestyle hub; a place of great celebration and joy, and a powerhouse of Saudi culture and commerce,” said Jerry Inzerillo, DGDA’s CEO.
“Our masterplan’s point of difference is an incredibly powerful combination of being home to the Jewel of the Kingdom, At-Turaif, coupled with being steeped in over 300 years of royal history and developing world-class, contemporary assets — all reflecting the great future vision of our beloved leaders.
“With a huge variety of educational institutions planned, including academies, cultural institutes, museums and universities, we will be developing a place of great learning and intellectual curiosity. Filled with wonder and discovery, Diriyah Gate will leave our visitors relaxed, inspired and culturally connected, and it is destined to become one of the world’s greatest gathering places,” said Inzerillo.
Jonathan Timms, DGDA’s chief design and development officer, said: “On completion, the development will embody a new way of living for Diriyah’s residents and the greater Riyadh community — comprising a sophisticated intersection of authentic Najdi-style living coupled with world-class amenities, all within the convenience of a mixed-use urban community. Overall, it will be an enhanced, pedestrian-friendly, walkable city, deeply rooted in the heritage and cultural equity of the Kingdom.”
Diriyah Gate Development Authority starts work on major heritage project
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Diriyah Gate Development Authority starts work on major heritage project
- DGDA will create an environment that enhances Diriyah’s national and international relevance
Young voices at heart of Misk forum
- Misk City ‘empowering and investing in youth,’ Misk Foundation CEO says
- Kadi Al-Khathaam: Reading for me is the light out of any darkness or hesitance
RIYADH: Misk City is poised to be a transformative hub for young people, blending creativity with opportunity, according to the CEO of the Misk Foundation.
“Misk City is not just a place filled with buildings and roads, it is an exceptional place for an exceptional city,” Badr Al-Bader said on the first day of the Misk Global Forum 2024.
The purpose-built destination was committed to fostering talent and innovation, he said.
The eighth Misk Global Forum is showcasing the foundation’s dedication to engaging young minds.
“With over 150,000 visitors and more than 1,000 speakers from 130 countries, this edition was notable for its youthful demographic,” Al-Bader said.
“This is the largest and smallest in terms of average age. We are proud to see so many young voices contributing to the dialogue.”
This year, Misk City welcomed students from Misk Schools and plans to extend its reach to schools across Riyadh and beyond.
“The city mirrors the youth growing alongside them, day by day. Misk has been empowering and investing in youth, making their support its highest priority,” Al-Bader said.
With the “unwavering support” of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, more than 7 million young men and women had benefited from Misk programs, he said.
Kadi Al-Khathaam, the Saudi winner of the 2024 Arab Reading Challenge, was part of the “Leadership in a Future-Led Generation” panel at the forum.
“Reading is a transformation phase and it’s an enlightenment process where I can expand the horizon of my knowledge,” she said.
“Reading for me is the light out of any darkness or hesitance.”
Al-Khathaam said that the ability to communicate effectively allowed individuals to share their insights and experiences with others.
“I read, I discuss, I give the outcome to the world with the best of what I have.”
The crown prince’s advocacy for the education of all Saudi children was a source of inspiration for her, she said.
Saudi Minister of Communication, Information and Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha shared insights on youth-driven leadership and innovation, in line with the forum’s theme of “By Youth For Youth” and commented on Shawn Achor’s book “The Happiness Advantage.”
“We often link happiness with external factors, but we must realize that happiness and ambition are the main drivers of hard work,” he said.
“Let us take it the other way around: If we work with happiness in our hearts, success will follow.”
Al-Swaha shared the story of Dr. Firas Khalil, the first Saudi surgeon to perform heart surgery using AI and robotics.
“This procedure not only reduces recovery times but also saves lives,” he said.
He also spoke about Rayyanah Barnawi, the Kingdom’s first female astronaut.
“Her love and ambition to serve humanity made her the perfect candidate,” he said.
“Nothing is impossible from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the greatest country in the world.”
The forum ends on Tuesday.
Indonesian artist fuses art, technology at Jeddah showcase
JEDDAH: Works by an Indonesian artist who blends creativity with technology have been on show at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah.
The exhibition, by Andry Boy Kurniawan, was organized by the Indonesian Consulate and included a talk by the artist in which he explained how he fuses traditional painting techniques with augmented reality.
Based in Yogyakarta, Kurniawan said he drew inspiration from the larger-than-life characters, both real and imagined, that shape modern culture. His style features bulbous-headed figures with small, beady eyes.
Other common elements include gummies and gemstones that reflect the light and add a dynamic, whimsical quality to his art.
The event reflected the advancements in Indonesia’s contemporary art scene and highlighted Saudi Arabia’s emerging role as a hub for creative exchanges.
The consulate said it hoped it would also help foster greater innovation and collaboration between the two countries.
New museums campaign focuses on Saudi heritage
- To preserve Saudi heritage, the commission announced the development of museums in 11 regions
RIYADH: The Museums Commission launched the “Telling Tomorrow’s Story” campaign on Monday to raise awareness of museums’ role in preserving history, strengthening national identity, and promoting creative expression.
The campaign reflects the commission’s vision, which focuses on innovation, the preservation of cultural treasures, and fostering creativity for future generations.
It features digital content highlighting the commission’s museums and cultural centers, including the National Museum, Al-Masmak Palace Museum, Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax, Diriyah Art Futures, and the Tariq Abdulhakim Museum in Jeddah.
It also introduces future museums, such as the Black Gold Museum in Riyadh and the Red Sea Museum in Jeddah, which will enrich the Kingdom’s cultural landscape.
To preserve Saudi heritage, the commission announced the development of museums in 11 regions: Qassim, Jouf, Asir, Tabuk, Hail, Najran, Arar, Dammam, Makkah, Jazan, and Baha.
The regional museums, under the motto “Our Saudi Story,” will celebrate Saudi history, heritage, and identity, weaving a collective narrative of the Kingdom’s diverse cultural tapestry and rich history.
These museums will offer permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events, becoming inclusive spaces for knowledge, creativity, and community.
Riyadh exhibition to boost Saudi palm sector goals
- The exhibition will feature participation from more than 100 local and international entities
RIYADH: The International Dates Conference and Exhibition is set to take place at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center from Nov. 19 to 28 under the theme “World of Dates.”
The event aims to solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in the production and export of dates, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates, the exhibition will feature participation from more than 100 local and international entities.
It will showcase innovative date products and serve as a global platform for knowledge exchange and market expansion, promoting Saudi dates in international markets.
The event seeks to support innovation in the dates industry, enhance the competitiveness of Saudi products, and position the palm and dates sector as a key contributor to economic development, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030.
The exhibition will also include a scientific conference in collaboration with King Faisal University, SPA reported.
The conference will focus on local and international efforts to advance the palm and dates sector in Saudi Arabia by adopting smart solutions to improve agricultural practices, highlighting the health benefits of dates, and encouraging the use of e-commerce.
Saudi Fashion Commission, French luxury giant to award sustainable startups
- Finalists will undergo mentorship and workshops to refine their key performance indicators and pitching skills
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Fashion Commission and France-based luxury conglomerate Kering have announced a competition to discover and support innovative startups making a meaningful impact on sustainability within the fashion industry.
The initiative, Kering Generation Award X Saudi Arabia, will foster circular innovation, focusing on key themes such as customer engagement, the circular economy, and water protection.
The application process is now open to startups based in or expanding into Saudi Arabia. By December, 20 finalists will be shortlisted to participate in a boot camp in Riyadh.
Finalists will undergo mentorship and workshops to refine their key performance indicators and pitching skills, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The top 10 proposals will move to the jury evaluation phase, judged on innovation, sustainability, and commercial potential.
The competition will culminate in an awards ceremony in January in Riyadh, where the top three winners will be announced.
The winners will receive a 10-day mentorship trip to Paris with Kering’s sustainability teams and the opportunity to showcase their innovations at the ChangeNow Summit 2025.
The launch follows a strategic memorandum of understanding between the commission and Kering, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader vision to promote sustainable practices in the fashion sector.
CEO of the commission Burak Çakmak said: “This initiative reflects our commitment to driving innovation and building a sustainable future for fashion in Saudi Arabia.”
Kering’s chief sustainability officer, Marie-Claire Daveu, added: “Through this partnership, we aim to inspire the next generation and foster impactful change in the Saudi fashion ecosystem.”
The collaboration highlights Saudi Arabia’s dedication to creating a sustainable and innovative fashion industry aligned with global standards.
