Wikipedia mirror

King Salman Park

King Salman Park
حديقة الملك سلمان
Concept image of King Salman Park
Interactive map of King Salman Park
TypeUrban park
LocationRiyadh, Saudi Arabia
Coordinates24°43′08″N 46°43′26″E / 24.719°N 46.724°E / 24.719; 46.724
Area16.6 square kilometres (6.4 sq mi)
Created19 March 2019
FounderSalman bin Abdulaziz
Owned byKing Salman Park Foundation
Operated byKing Salman Park Foundation
Websitekingsalmanpark.sa

King Salman Park (KSP; Arabic: حديقة الملك سلمان), one of Riyadh’s mega-projects,[1] is an urban area being developed in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia under the supervision of the King Salman Park Foundation. It was unveiled in 2019 as part of the Green Riyadh initiative aimed at increasing the green space of Riyadh. It is being built on the grounds of former Riyadh Air Base with an area totaling more than 17.2 sq km.[2] Upon completion, it is expected to be one of the largest urban parks in the world, with a planned area five times that of Hyde Park in London and four times that of Central Park in New York.[3][4] The park is named after King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who has ruled Saudi Arabia since 2015.

Construction contracts for King Salman Park were awarded in 2021.[5]

History

In March 2019, King Salman of Saudi Arabia announced the King Salman Park project, introduced as part of an initiative led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It is one of four major development projects, including Sports Boulevard, Green Riyadh, and Riyadh Art, proposed for Riyadh in support of Saudi Vision 2030.[6][7][8] After winning an international competition, Saudi architecture and engineering firm Omrania was named as the lead design consultant for the project,[9][10] and it was announced it would be collaborating with Danish firm Henning Larsen Architects on the master plan.[11]

According to the project plans, the park is intended to contribute to sustainable development and climate improvement and provide up to 70,000 new jobs, supporting the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.[12][13] The project is expected to cost $23 billion in government funding and leverage $15 billion in private sector investment.[13]

King Salman Park, located in the middle of Riyadh, seen from space.

Construction begin in late 2021 with more than US $1 billion in contracts awarded by the King Salman Park Foundation.[14]

In September 2023, the King Salman Park Foundation partnered with Saudi developer Naif Al Rajhi Investment Company to launch a SAR4 billion ($1.1 billion) real estate development fund that would manage plots of land within the park.[15]

It was also announced in September 2023 that Saudi Fransi Capital would be partnering with the head developer of the project, King Salman Park Company for Investment and Real Estate Development, to manage the real estate development fund. The partnership was reported as the first ever partnership between the Saudi government and the private sector.[16]

The King Salman Park Foundation Board of Directors announced the completion of the Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Tunnel on February 28, 2024. The tunnel opened to the public the following day and was the first component of the park's project plan to be completed since breaking ground in 2021. It stand as one of the longest tunnels in the Middle East.[17]

In November 2025, it was reported that the King Salman Park Foundation would be partnering with Ajdan Real Estate Development Company and SEDCO Capital to establish a SAR3.8 billion ($1 billion) fund to develop residential, commercial, and hospitality aspects of the project.[18]

The King Salman Park Foundation

The King Salman Park Foundation, whose Board of Directors is chaired by Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, oversees the implementation and operation of the park and manages its investments. According to the foundation, the project is intended to enhance the quality of life in Riyadh by increasing green space and supporting a more sustainable environment, as well as by providing cultural, artistic, recreational, and sporting activities. It also seeks to raise Riyadh's position in global rankings of the world's most livable cities.[19][20][21]

In December 2022, George Tanasijevich, the former president of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore,[22] was appointed CEO of the King Salman Park Foundation.[23][24]

Design and architecture

In September 2021, it was announced the King Salman Park Foundation had awarded $1 billion in contracts to a group of national companies, coinciding with the start of construction.[25] The park is located on the site of the former Riyadh Airport (King Salman Air Base). According to project plans, it will be served by five stations on the Green Line of the Riyadh Metro, ten stations on the Riyadh bus network, and six main roads, which are intended to facilitate access from different parts of the city.[26][27]

Project plans report that a traffic-free path will form a 7.2-km (4.5-mile) “urban loop” for walking, cycling, and autonomous modes of public transportation.[13] The park landscape is planned to include valley pathways, up to 30 meters (98 ft) deep, creating shaded areas and incorporating visitor facilities.[13][28]

The initial plans for the project included a central park with more than 11 sq. km of green space, surrounded by areas planned for over 160 features and attractions covering art, culture, sports, and entertainment.[29][30] In alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, the park was also designed to include multiple urban facilities, including playgrounds, sports complexes, and cultural venues such as the Royal Arts Complex and the Visitor Pavilion.[31]

The Royal Arts Complex

Concept of the complete Royal Arts Complex

In May 2022, it was announced that the King Salman Park Foundation ad started construction on the Royal Arts Complex.[32] The Royal Arts Complex is planned to be located on an area of more than 500,000 square meters. It was designed by the architecture firm Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura with a design inspired by Salmani architectural principles.[33]

The complex is intended to act as an arts and culture hub in the city of Riyadh and is planned to contain several cultural, recreational, and artistic facilities, including:

  • The Museum of World Cultures - 110 meters tall
  • The National Theater - 2,300 seat capacity
  • The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts - includes three academies: the Academy of Traditional Visual Arts, the Academy of Cultural Heritage and Restoration, and the Academy of Performing Arts
  • Sculpture hall
  • Medium capacity theater - 650 seats
  • Three cinema halls
  • The Dome - a spheroid structure containing works of art
  • Arts and culture library - containing more than 250,000 books[34][35][36]

As of March 2024, King Salman Park Foundation's executive director of Project & Construction Management, Abdullah Allhaidan, stated that overall construction of the complex was 48% completed.[37]

Visitor Pavilion

The King Salman Park Foundation announced in January 2022 the start of construction of the Visitor Pavilion. The Visitor Pavilion is planned as an environmental and cultural center built on an area of 90,000 square meters that includes interactive displays to introduce the park's natural, cultural, and recreational features. The project, undertaken by the architect, David Adjaye, used Salmani architecture principles in its design. The Pavilion facilities include:

  • A plant nursery
  • A terrace with a 360-degree view of the park
  • A main auditorium for events and entertainment, with multiple runways accommodating up to 230 guests
  • A multi-use hall
  • Meeting rooms
  • Exhibition halls
  • Several restaurants and cafes[38]

Environmental and sustainability features

Green space and biodiversity

The park is planned to cover approximately 16 sq. km, with over 11 sq. km dedicated to green spaces. The plan calls for around 1 million trees and includes landscaped gardens, forests, meadows, a valley area with several bodies of water, and naturalistic landscaping intended to support biodiversity and provide habitats for birds and other urban wildlife.[39]

Water management

The project plan for the park incorporates the reuse of water for irrigation, water recycling systems, and the creation of water features that promote water conservation and support plant life.[39]

Climate and energy sustainability

According to Rukn Eldeen Mohammed, the Special Projects Director at Omrania, the park was designed to address challenges related to the desert climate of Riyadh. Project plans included eco-friendly features such as rainwater harvesting and energy-efficient systems, as well as passive cooling strategies, shading, and the planting of trees in an effort to reduce the urban heat island effect.[40][39]

Contribution to national initiatives

King Salman Park aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader environmental and sustainability objectives, including the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and Vision 2030 goals. The park contributes to efforts to reduce carbon emissions, restore degraded land, and enhance the quality of life in Riyadh. According to project plans, the park is expected to expand the city’s green space from 1.5% to 9.1%.[41][40]

See also

References

  1. ^ "تقرير / مشاريع الرياض الكبرى .. رؤية طموحة تنقل العاصمة للعالمية". spa.gov.sa (in Arabic). Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  2. ^ Rahman, Fareed. "New $1bn property project launched in Riyadh's King Salman Park". The National. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  3. ^ "حديقة الملك سلمان". www.vision2030.gov.sa. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  4. ^ Elsheshtawy, Yasser (2019-04-17). "Transforming Riyadh: A New Urban Paradigm?". Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. Retrieved 2019-05-07.
  5. ^ "King Salman Park awards $1bn construction contracts". Arab News. 2021-09-22. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  6. ^ "Saudi King Launches $23 Billion Riyadh Beautification Program". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on 2022-01-02. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  7. ^ "Saudi capital to get world's biggest park in $23bn project". Arab News. 2019-03-19. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  8. ^ "الملك سلمان يطلق 4 مشاريع في الرياض بـ86 مليار ريال". العربية (in Arabic). 2019-03-19. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  9. ^ "Riyadh unveils plans for major redevelopment based on green space, wellbeing and culture | attractionsmanagement.com news". http://www.attractionsmanagement.com/. Retrieved 2026-02-03. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  10. ^ Admin (2021-03-02). "King Salman Park: Riyadh's Urban Oasis". Omrania. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  11. ^ "Riyadh unveils plans for major redevelopment based on green space, wellbeing and culture | attractionsmanagement.com news". http://www.attractionsmanagement.com/. Retrieved 2026-02-03. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  12. ^ "Saudi capital to get world's biggest park in $23bn project". Arab News. 2019-03-19. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  13. ^ a b c d Knaggs, Andy. "Riyadh unveils plans for major redevelopment based on green space, wellbeing and culture". Attractions Management.
  14. ^ "King Salman Park awards $1bn construction contracts". Arab News. 2021-09-22. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  15. ^ "King Salman Park to develop $1.1bn mixed-use project". French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bahrain. 2023-09-12. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  16. ^ "Naif Alrajhi Investment to develop District 1 in King Salman Park". Arab News. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
  17. ^ Gazette, Saudi (2024-02-28). "King Salman Park inaugurates Middle East's longest tunnel in Riyadh". Saudi Gazette. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  18. ^ Kumar, Pramod (2025-11-19). "King Salman Park sets up $1bn fund to back development". AGBI. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  19. ^ "Construction begins on King Salman Park Foundation's Royal Art Complex in Riyadh". Arab News. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  20. ^ "موافقة سعودية على تنظيم مؤسستي حديقة الملك سلمان والمسار الرياضي". aawsat.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  21. ^ "تنظيم مؤسسة حديقة الملك سلمان". Bureau of Experts at the Council of Minsters. 2020-03-06.
  22. ^ "George Tanasijevich – CTBUH". www.ctbuh.org. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  23. ^ "Who's Who: George Tanasijevich, CEO of the King Salman Park Foundation". Arab News. 2022-12-18. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  24. ^ "George Tanasijevich appointed CEO of King Salman Park Foundation". Al Arabiya English. 2022-12-18. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  25. ^ "King Salman Park awards $1bn construction contracts". Arab News. 2021-09-22. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
  26. ^ Gazette, Saudi (2019-03-19). "King Salman Park: Strategically located". Saudi Gazette. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
  27. ^ administrator (2023-06-11). "King Salman Park - Royal Commission for Riyadh City". Retrieved 2026-02-09.
  28. ^ "King Salman Park". Architect Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
  29. ^ "How Riyadh's new King Salman Park will provide an urban haven for flora and fauna". Arab News. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
  30. ^ "King Salman Park awards $1bn construction contracts". Arab News. 2021-09-22. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
  31. ^ "How Riyadh's new King Salman Park will provide an urban haven for flora and fauna". Arab News PK. 2024-08-31. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
  32. ^ "Saudi Arabia starts work on Riyadh's Royal Arts Complex | Planet Attractions". www.planetattractions.com. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  33. ^ "King Salman Park Foundation begins construction of Royal Arts Complex". Arab News. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  34. ^ "King Salman Park begins construction on its 500,000m2 Royal Arts Complex". 2022-05-23. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  35. ^ "مؤسسة حديقة الملك سلمان تطلق مشروع المجمع الملكي للفنون". العربية (in Arabic). 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  36. ^ "Saudi Arabia starts work on Riyadh's Royal Arts Complex | Planet Attractions". www.planetattractions.com. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  37. ^ IQBAL, YASIR. "King Salman Park construction is on track".
  38. ^ "King Salman Park Foundation announces start of visitor pavilion construction". Arab News. 2022-01-24. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  39. ^ a b c "How Riyadh's new King Salman Park will provide an urban haven for flora and fauna". Arab News. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
  40. ^ a b "King Salman Park: Redefining Urban Life - Design Middle East". 2025-07-10. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
  41. ^ "Saudi & Middle East Green Initiatives". https. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to King Salman Park.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.