Nadhmi Al-Nasr welcomes diplomats for inaugural visit to the city
Phase 2 strategy to be completed by end of 2019; targets 1 million population by 2030
Updated 25 July 2019
NOOR NUGALI
RIYADH: Day by day, NEOM is becoming a reality as more facilities are built at the project’s first urban area, NEOM Bay. It is just the start, and work will continue endlessly, CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr said in his address to a large diplomatic gathering on their first visit to the site, located in the northwestern corner of Saudi Arabia.
With cool weather, clean beaches and historical sites, NEOM is set to be a beautiful and sustainable destination.
Speaking to over 160 diplomats who attended NEOM’s first ever beach sports events, Al-Nasr stated that the first phase of NEOM’s construction is now complete, and the world’s most ambitious project is set to announce its second phase strategy by the end of 2019.
The journey of NEOM started in October 2017 when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman introduced the project to the world. The first phase strategy, a plan covering the economic concept, the funding, and the road map of the project, was developed, while the second phase will include detailed plans for NEOM’s 16 economic sectors and regions.
“We started Phase 2’s strategy, and we will finish that by end of 2019, which means by the end of the year we will share with the world what NEOM is going to be,” Al-Nasr added while speaking in Gayal, a coastal site close to Sharma, where NEOM’s first commercial airport is located.
NEOM Bay will host a second airport, offices, and residential units for construction workers assigned to the rest of the development. One of its business objectives is to be home to new technologies that will influence the new wave of industrialization. To spur the technological advancement within NEOM, Al-Nasr said that the project “will be funding technology development, and we will be partnering with leading technology partners in the world.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Over 70 ambassadors visit NEOM for the first time.
Phase 2 strategy to be completed by end of 2019; targets 1 million population by 2030.
As one of its 16 economic sectors, the tourism sector plans to be a major destination as it targets 5 million visitors by 2030, Al-Nasr told the diplomats. For this purpose, NEOM is developing different island and mountain resorts. Attracting such a huge number of visitors is a challenge, and the CEO added: “Some are saying that this is a long shot, but our business is to only address long shots.”
NEOM is also targeting 1 million citizens by the year 2030 “or little bit beyond,” he said.
NEOM is strategically situated in a location accessible by 70 percent of global population within 8 hours. Al-Nasr highlighted that Rome is reachable by air in around 3 hours, while London is 5 hours away.
In his address, he invited the diplomats to be part of NEOM. “We want you to think that one day you could be living in NEOM, working and retiring in NEOM, and of course, we don’t mind you investing in NEOM.”
Australian Ambassador Ridwaan Jawdat told Arab News: “I was very impressed by the incredible natural beauty of the NEOM site — the beaches, water and coral reefs were stunning. I enjoyed touring the locations and meeting the staff. It is an extraordinarily ambitious project, and I was very happy to be given some insights on the vision and the planning.”
The tour concluded with a visit to the International Beach Soccer Tournament hosted by NEOM.
Dutch Ambassador Joost Reintjes asked about the King Salman Bridge, which Al-Nasr explained would “not only connect Saudi Arabia with Egypt, but with Asia and Africa.”
He concluded: “We started NEOM but we aren’t going to finish. There is no end to NEOM.”
Greening the rooftops: Can green roofs take root in Saudi Arabia’s cities?
As giga-projects reshape the Kingdom, experts push for cooler, biodiverse cities
Updated 45 min 30 sec ago
Rahaj Jambi
RIYADH: On Feb. 11, Riyadh marked a pivotal moment in Saudi Arabia’s sustainability journey with the official launch of the Saudi Green Building Alliance.
Announced during the Developers and Green Building Leaders Forum, the initiative signals a shift toward embedding environmental performance at the core of Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding built environment.
“SGBA is Saudi Arabia’s national green building council — an independent, nonprofit platform that brings together government, developers, investors, designers, contractors, and solution providers to accelerate sustainable, low-carbon, climate-resilient buildings and cities across the Kingdom,” said Mohammed Al-Surf, founder and CEO of SGBA.
“Our role is to align the market, support standards and best practice, build capacity, and help translate Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative into practical action in the built environment.”
The Saudi Green Building Forum participated in an international event in January 2026. (Photo courtesy of Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia is in the midst of one of the largest urban development cycles globally. New districts are taking shape, giga-projects are redefining skylines, and cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah are expanding at unprecedented speed. According to Al-Surf, the defining question is whether this growth will lock in decades of inefficiency and emissions — or set a global benchmark for resilient, climate-smart cities aligned with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.
Across leading global cities, green rooftops are no longer seen as decorative luxuries but as functional infrastructure. In Saudi Arabia, they intersect directly with national priorities around livability, emissions reduction, and quality of life.
“Green rooftops are not just aesthetics — they are urban infrastructure. In a Vision 2030 context, they can support: Heat reduction and comfort in cities, Energy efficiency and peak load reduction, Healthier, more livable neighborhoods, Nature-based solutions that improve biodiversity and stormwater performance. They’re a practical way to bring climate resilience and quality of life into everyday buildings.” Al-Surf said.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Energy savings and asset value gains can offset upfront installation costs over time.
• Underused building tops represent one of the largest untapped spaces in urban Saudi Arabia.
• In arid climates, climate-fit design makes greening viable with non-potable water reuse.
“In Saudi cities, where roofs are a major source of heat gain, vegetated systems can significantly reduce surface temperatures, lower indoor cooling demand, and extend the lifespan of roofing membranes by protecting them from thermal stress.”
In Riyadh, where summer temperatures frequently exceed 45°C, urban heat is more than discomfort — it is a public health issue. Green rooftops can help mitigate the urban heat-island effect by cooling surrounding microclimates and reducing heat stress, particularly in dense neighborhoods. Their impact extends beyond temperature regulation, contributing to environmental resilience and community wellbeing.
Can green roofs work in the desert?
Skepticism persists about whether rooftop greening can truly succeed in arid, high-heat environments. The challenges are undeniable: Water scarcity, extreme summer temperatures, dust accumulation, intense ultraviolet exposure, and long-term maintenance demands all complicate rooftop planting in desert climates.
Yet technological and design advances are reshaping what is possible. Drought-tolerant native species, engineered lightweight soil substrates, drip irrigation systems, and smart water reuse technologies are making rooftop greening increasingly viable. Climate-responsive design remains essential.
Across global cities, green rooftops are increasingly viewed not as decorative extras but as functional components of urban infrastructure. In Saudi Arabia, they align with national priorities around livability, emissions reduction, and improved quality of life. (Photo courtesy of Unsplash)
Addressing misconceptions is equally important. Al-Surf said: “Three common misconceptions that green roofs are only for Europe. Not true — they just need Saudi-appropriate design. They require lots of water. (But ) not with xeriscape principles, smart irrigation, and non-potable reuse. They’re just decoration. (In reality) They’re thermal, social, and resilience infrastructure.”
One of the most persistent myths is that green roofs waste water. In practice, modern systems prioritize efficiency through xeriscaping principles, soil moisture sensors, weather-based irrigation controls, and the use of treated or non-potable water.
Olivia Jurado, an eco-holistic wellness practitioner who helped establish a regenerative rooftop garden in Dubai, points to regional examples as proof of concept.
“Many people believe it is not possible to grow green spaces in the desert,” she said. “But with the right planting methods and knowledge of what thrives locally, urban rooftop gardens can grow and flourish — and they don’t require excessive tending once mature.”
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She underscores the broader ecological and social dividends, from supporting pollinators such as bees and butterflies to creating small biodiversity corridors within cities and offering experiential learning spaces for schools and workplaces.
“Green rooftops provide so many benefits for the community and the environment. Including measurably reducing temperature, providing green spaces for wellbeing and connection to nature. They also help build community by providing a green space for connection, while tending to the space provides further learning opportunities. Rooftop and urban gardens also contribute to supporting and inviting pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which are so important to our ecosystems.” Jurado said.
Many people believe that it is not possible to grow green spaces in the desert but it has been proven regionally that with the right planting methods and knowing the types of plants that thrive in the region (especially with regenerative gardening practices) urban rooftop gardens can and do indeed grow and thrive and they do not require much tending to once they are mature.
Cairo-based organization Schaduf helps city dwellers grow leafy greens in hydroponic rooftop gardens. (Photo courtesy of Schaduf)
“Every building and community should be encouraged and incentivized to grown their own gardens, it would not only beautify the urban spaces and help cool them, it would also provide a space of wellbeing for their respective communities.”
“It would be amazing to see urban rooftop gardens peeking from the tops of a majority of buildings by 2030.”
For developers, cost often becomes the deciding factor. Green roofs require upfront investment and are frequently cut during value engineering. However, when positioned as long-term performance infrastructure rather than aesthetic add-ons, the financial case becomes more compelling. Reduced cooling loads translate into energy savings; protected roofing membranes extend asset lifespan; premium amenities enhance property value; and stronger ESG credentials improve market positioning.
“The business case is strongest when you frame green roofs as: Energy and thermal risk management, Asset value and tenant premium, Lifecycle savings, Certification and market access,” Al-Surf explained. While upfront costs are real, returns improve when systems are climate-fit, scaled appropriately, and designed as functional amenities rather than symbolic gestures.
Looking ahead, the Saudi Green Building Alliance plans to develop national guidelines tailored to arid climates, establish demonstration rooftops across regions, and cultivate local expertise.
As Saudi Arabia’s skylines continue to rise, rooftops remain vast and largely untapped surfaces. By 2030, they could evolve into gardens, habitats, and cooling systems integrated into everyday urban life — proof that even in the desert, cities can grow greener from the top down.
