Al-Khobar Waterfront Projects: Student Designs in Preparation for the World Cup

In a strategic move aligned with major national aspirations, final-year students at the College of Architecture and Planning at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University unveiled 18 innovative projects aimed at reshaping the urban landscape of Al-Khobar's waterfront. This academic initiative, undertaken in close collaboration with the Al-Khobar Municipality, represents a practical response to the Kingdom's upcoming commitments, most notably its bid to host the FIFA World Cup, and a tangible realization of the objectives of the Quality of Life Program stemming from the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

A development vision that keeps pace with Al-Khobar's tourist status

These projects are of particular importance given the strategic geographical location of Al-Khobar, the jewel of the Eastern Province and its premier tourist destination. With the Kingdom's accelerating pace of development, waterfront development is no longer merely an aesthetic enhancement, but a pressing necessity for bolstering tourism and recreational infrastructure. This student initiative underscores the role of academic institutions in providing the municipal sector with innovative solutions that transcend traditional frameworks and adhere to global standards for "humanizing cities," thereby enhancing the city's readiness to welcome visitors and tourists from around the world during upcoming major sporting events.

Simulating professional reality and strategic partnership

These designs were presented as part of the "Fifth Year Design Studio," a pivotal course that transitions students from the classroom to the real world of work. The Dean of the College, Dr. Badran Al-Zunaifer, emphasized that the partnership with Al-Khobar Municipality represents a model of successful institutional integration, enabling students to transform their theories into practical models that serve urban development. He noted that this collaboration breaks down traditional implementation barriers and opens the door for bold, innovative, and sustainable ideas from young people—essential elements for building smart, eco-friendly cities of the future.

Landscape philosophy and urban space management

For his part, Dr. Tufail Al-Yousef, Head of the Environmental Architecture Department, explained that the projects focused on the concept of "landscape" as a tool for integrating art and science in the management of public spaces. The area between the coastal road and the main hotels was chosen as the site for these developments due to its vital importance. Al-Yousef linked these designs to the selection of Al-Khobar as one of the host cities for the World Cup, emphasizing that the projects aimed to raise quality of life indicators and give the city a sophisticated appearance befitting its global standing.

Innovative design approaches and bold solutions

These projects were overseen by a select group of academics, led by Dr. Khaled Al-Hajla, who noted that the students gained a comprehensive professional experience that mirrored international consulting firms. The solutions presented varied across three main tracks:

• The first approach: Adopt a bold vision that proposes lowering the level of the coastal road to seamlessly integrate it with the sea, removing visual barriers and increasing pedestrian space.
• The second approach: Focus on reshaping traffic routes to enhance visual connectivity between the city and the sea, and create new tourist attractions.
• The third path: Provide realistic solutions to develop the existing situation, taking into account economic feasibility and speed of implementation, to ensure maximum benefit at the lowest costs.

These outputs reflect the college’s commitment to graduating national talents capable of leading the urban landscape in the Kingdom and contributing effectively to achieving sustainable development.