Riyadh: The Capital of Transformation and Sustainable Growth at the Heart of the Kingdom
Over the past two years, the capital city of Riyadh has undergone a qualitative leap in infrastructure and public services, as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to transform it into one of the world’s most vibrant and competitive cities. According to official data released by the General Authority for Statistics, Riyadh’s population rose to 8.3 million by the end of 2023, marking a 4.2% increase compared to 2022, making it home to more than one-third of the Kingdom’s total population.
At the heart of these transformations stand major projects such as the integrated NEOM initiative, the residential “The Line,” and the historic and revitalized Diriyah—all of which have become magnets for local and foreign investment. In mid-2023, the Ministry of Housing announced the allocation of SAR 60 billion to develop 1.2 million housing units in Riyadh over the next decade, aiming to reduce the housing deficit to less than 5% by 2030.
During the “Riyadh as a Global City” conference in January 2024, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Saleh Al-Jasser, affirmed: “We are not merely building roads and transport networks—we are creating an urban environment that fosters social integration and attracts global talent.” These remarks followed the completion of the first phase of the electric train project, which spans 176 kilometers with 14 stations and is expected to serve over 2 million passengers daily by 2025.
In education, King Saud University, in partnership with the National Transformation Program, launched the “Smart Academic Life” initiative to digitize 90% of university services. Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Education, the number of private schools in the city has risen to 1,250—a 18% increase since 2020. Riyadh has also witnessed significant progress in healthcare: the number of specialized hospitals has increased from 12 to 26 over five years, according to the Ministry of Health.
On the environmental front, the Riyadh Municipality launched the “Green Riyadh” plan, targeting a 20% increase in green spaces by 2030. In 2022 and 2023 alone, 500 hectares of new public parks were added. Reflecting the city’s commitment to sustainability, carbon emissions in the transportation sector declined by 12% in 2023, thanks to the expansion of the electric metro network and incentives promoting electric vehicle adoption.
According to the Global Cities Index published by UNESCO in March 2024, Riyadh ranks 17th among the world’s top 100 cities for quality of life—up 13 places since 2020—and is now the fastest-growing city in the Middle East.
Today, Riyadh is no longer content to be merely the political and economic capital; it aspires to become a global model of sustainable urban transformation. Through strategic investments, integrated planning, and a clear vision, the city is building a future where heritage meets innovation, growth aligns with sustainability, and citizens are empowered with opportunity.
صحيفة عكاظ اليوم ، موقع إخباري شامل يهتم بتقديم خدمة صحفية متميزة للقارئ، وهدفنا أن نصل لقرائنا الأعزاء بالخبر الأدق والأسرع والحصري بما يليق بقواعد وقيم الأسرة السعودية، لذلك نقدم لكم مجموعة كبيرة من الأخبار المتنوعة داخل الأقسام التالية، الأخبار العالمية و المحلية، الاقتصاد، تكنولوجيا ، فن، أخبار الرياضة، منوعات و سياحة.