Riyadh Municipality joins ISOCARP, the Association for Urban Development
In a strategic move reflecting the rapid urban development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Riyadh Municipality officially received membership for the city of Riyadh in the International Association of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) for a three-year term. This achievement came during an official visit by a delegation from the Municipality to the organization's headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, at the invitation of the organization. The membership was received by the head of the delegation, Assistant Undersecretary Engineer Saleh Al-Saif, marking a significant milestone in the Saudi capital's journey towards strengthening its active presence within the international urban planning network.
The role of the Riyadh Municipality in shaping the future of global cities
Founded in 1965, the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) is one of the world’s leading organizations, bringing together a select group of experts and urban planners from over 80 countries. The Riyadh Municipality’s in this prestigious organization is not merely a formality, but rather the culmination of a long history of urban development in the capital. Since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, Riyadh has set its sights on becoming one of the world’s top ten urban economies. This transformation requires meticulous strategic planning that keeps pace with increasing population growth and maintains environmental sustainability, which the Municipality is striving to achieve by leveraging global best practices.
Sharing of planning knowledge and sustainable urban transformation
The official visit of the Secretariat delegation to the Netherlands included a series of specialized discussion sessions addressing urban transformation, infrastructure development, and the exchange of planning expertise. In addition to these theoretical sessions, the program featured field visits to several leading urban development projects in Dutch cities, renowned globally for their innovations in sustainability and resource management. This direct interaction allows Saudi planners to gain firsthand insight into successful international experiences and transfer the acquired expertise for application in urban planning and development within the Kingdom, thereby accelerating the progress of major ongoing projects.
Strategic dimensions and anticipated regional and international impacts
This active participation reflects Riyadh's presence as a key partner in shaping the cities of the future and strengthens its position on global platforms concerned with urban planning. Locally, this collaboration will directly impact the quality of life for residents and visitors of the capital by implementing modern planning standards that contribute to improving the urban landscape and developing services. Regionally and internationally, this step confirms the Kingdom's leadership in the Middle East as a model to be emulated in sustainable urban development. Furthermore, building effective international partnerships supports Riyadh's readiness to host major global events, such as Expo 2030, and underscores its commitment to implementing the highest environmental and urban planning standards.
This step comes as an extension of the Secretariat's tireless efforts to promote sustainable urban development and build bridges with the international community. Realizing the capital's vision of becoming a prosperous and sustainable city requires continuous work and constant innovation, and this membership represents a significant boost towards enhancing the quality of life, developing municipal services, and improving the overall city experience to meet the aspirations of future generations.
