Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has launched its first-ever comprehensive master plan to coordinate infrastructure projects across Riyadh, aiming to alleviate traffic congestion, optimize spending, and align with the sustainable development objectives of Vision 2030.
The plan, announced by Prince Faisal bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh and Chairman of the Infrastructure Projects Center, marks a significant step forward in the region’s development. The initiative ends the era of random, isolated projects and ushers in a new phase centered on collective planning and prior coordination.
In his speech during the review ceremony, Prince Faisal emphasized that the plan would prevent conflicts between projects and establish a unified timetable to prioritize efforts. This coordinated approach is expected to significantly improve the quality of life for residents in the capital.
Osama Ghanem Alobaidy, an adviser and professor of corporate law at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, welcomed the plan, noting that it would help reduce traffic congestion, which has been exacerbated by the city’s rapid population growth and ongoing infrastructure and development projects. The master plan is set to streamline and better manage these initiatives, leading to greater efficiency in both spending and execution, while ensuring the sustainability of infrastructure projects.
Prince Faisal highlighted that this initiative is a transformative milestone for Riyadh, underscoring the city’s importance in hosting major global events like the AFC Asian Cup in 2027, the Winter Asian Olympics in 2029, World Expo 2030, the FIFA World Cup in 2034, and the Asian Games in 2034. These events further emphasize the need for world-class infrastructure and planning.
Fahad Al-Badah, CEO of the Infrastructure Projects Center, described the plan as a model of national cooperation, developed using a comprehensive engineering methodology. The process involved collecting data, integrating planning efforts, and collaborating with over 15 government and service entities. As a result, more than 837 plans were reviewed, 1,737 project phases were restructured, and over 100,000 work hours were accumulated. Additionally, over 80 workshops were conducted, and more than 66,000 pre-coordinated permits for 2025 were automated.
Riyadh has grown from an emerging city into a global economic powerhouse, with its population now exceeding 7 million. The surge in infrastructure projects reflects this rapid growth, as work permits have increased from 50,000 in 2017 to over 150,000 in 2024.
Al-Badah concluded that sustaining this momentum requires adhering to global best practices in infrastructure development to meet the ambitious goals set out in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
