Diriyah Gate chief highlights city’s vision as a global blueprint for urban and social development

Visitors to Diriyah’s pavilion at the Saudi House in Davos have been captivated by its unconventional real-estate approach. (DGDA/File)
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Updated 23 January 2025
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Diriyah Gate chief highlights city’s vision as a global blueprint for urban and social development

  • Talal Kansara said Davos presence focused on showcasing Diriyah’s role in urban development intertwined with authenticity and tradition

DAVOS: Diriyah Gate Development Authority’s Chief Strategic Management Officer Talal Kansara has outlined the city’s ambition to become a model for urban and social transformation, offering a new way of living while preserving Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage.

Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Kansara emphasized Diriyah’s role in showcasing urban development intertwined with authenticity and tradition.

“I think we have a unique story when it comes to urban transformation, to share with the world and (also) to learn from the rest of the world,” he said. “The area 20 years from now would be one of the best gathering places in the world, something where people can come and be immersed in a different experience, an experience that touches their souls, touches their heart, by providing them something that is authentic.”

Located on the northwestern outskirts of Riyadh, Diriyah has undergone significant redevelopment, carefully restoring its mud-brick structures that reflect the Najdi architectural style. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010, Diriyah is seen as the birthplace of the Kingdom and a living example of the region’s architectural and cultural heritage.

Marking its WEF debut, Kansara said that Diriyah’s participation at Davos aims to showcase the project’s holistic approach, spanning tourism, hospitality, culture and real estate.

“People would see beyond Diriyah as one of the Kingdom’s giga project, they would see elements of Diriyah that that is part of its DNA,” Kansara said.

With a $50 billion development plan in motion, the project seeks to transform Diriyah into a global hub for history, culture and lifestyle while setting new standards for urban planning.

“We have a case that we want to present to the world when it comes to urban transformation,” Kansara said, “and we (want to) foster the dialog between us and people who have urban transformation and urban economy as one of their priorities.”

He added that Diriyah’s practices can serve as a guide for other cities to design spaces catering to human needs, including both locals and visitors.

“People need to walk, they need to interact, they need to socialize,” Kansara said, “also building an infrastructure and building cities where they are welcoming visitors. The infrastructure is not only meant for the (local) community, (but) also for the visitors, because you don’t want the visitors and the tourists to overrun the infrastructure.”

He said that the world is full of examples “where overtourism is somehow jeopardizing and decreasing the quality of the city, and you can see the community bothered from that in different places.”

Central to Saudi Arabia’s national tourism strategy, Diriyah is projected to attract 15 million visitors by 2030 and create more than 250,000 jobs. Kansara said that sustainability is integral to the development plan, ensuring the project meets the needs of a growing population and an influx of visitors.

“Sustainability is not an afterthought. Sustainability has been in the (project) DNA since the master plan,” he said.

Kansara also stressed the importance of preserving both the tangible and intangible elements of Saudi heritage, creating a living, organic space rather than a static museum.

“Diriyah is a place where people can live, walk, dine, play, have fun and learn. You would come in a place that’s not a theme park. This is more of an organic place. You’ll see people living as a visitor. You would interact with people who are living, you would interact with people who are studying, interact with people who are working. And that’s a great opportunity for the visitors to have a real touch, the real exposure to the history of the country of Saudi Arabia.”

Visitors to Diriyah’s pavilion at the Saudi House in Davos have been captivated by its unconventional real-estate approach.

“The thing that people admired and that captured their attention is that usually with a conventional real-estate project, you would see skyscrapers, you would see big buildings, you would see metal and glass. And when they came here, they say, ‘OK, we are not seeing this,’” Kansara said.

“We’re using mud bricks for the entire city, the way that we preserve our architectural language, the way we preserve different social and cultural practices and bring it back to life. So it’s not a museum where you see things, but that’s part of the past. No, this is really bringing things from the past and making something that people really engage with for now and in the future.”


Water freezes as polar wave grips Tabuk, northern region experiences chilly spell

Updated 7 sec ago
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Water freezes as polar wave grips Tabuk, northern region experiences chilly spell

  • Sandstorm hits Riyadh, Qassim, and Eastern regions

RIYADH: The Tabuk region in northwestern Saudi Arabia experienced a sharp drop in temperatures with the mercury level nosediving to below zero in the early hours on Friday, particularly in open desert areas, where ice formed on water ponds and basins.

The phenomenon underscores the impact of the polar wave on the region, which often faces harsh cold waves during winter due to polar air masses from northern Europe.

Consequently, temperatures have significantly dropped to the sub-zero with the winter landscapes continuing to be an integral aspect of the seasonal character of the Tabuk region.

The National Center for Meteorology has forecast cold to very cold temperatures in the Northern Borders, Al-Jouf, Hail, and Tabuk regions, as well as the northern parts of Madinah region, with a possibility of frost in some of these regions.

The NCM has also predicted the possibility of fog formation in parts of Jazan, Aseer, Al-Baha and Makkah regions.

An intense sandstorm engulfed several areas in Saudi Arabia on Friday as the NCM had forecast, dust-stirring winds with low temperatures in the Qassim, Riyadh, and Eastern regions as well as parts of Najran.

The sandstorm gripped Riyadh, enveloping the Saudi capital’s skyline with gray haze on Friday morning, hampering visibility due to the widespread dust, and forcing authorities to issue a weather warning.

The traffic department has advised motorists to drive slowly and exercise restraint.

A speeding BMW car was seen upturned after it rammed into a roadside fence near Takhassusi Street on Makkah road on Friday afternoon. Riyadh police rushed to the site and were seen providing assistance.

The General Directorate of Civil Defense has advised residents to avoid going to outskirt spots to avoid accidents during the sandstorm.

Abdul Ghaffar, a Riyadh resident, told Arab News: “Friday being (the) weekend, we had an outing plan with family for a barbeque party at Wadi Namar, but the sandstorm that enveloped the city and its outskirts in gray haze this morning has forced us to change the plan, and we decided to remain indoors instead.”


Saudi mining minister explores investment opportunities during trip to India

Updated 11 min 25 sec ago
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Saudi mining minister explores investment opportunities during trip to India

  • Alkhorayef held discussions aimed at enhancing collaboration in exploration, production and processing of critical metals

NEW DELHI: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef held a series of high-level meetings with leaders of prominent Indian mining companies on Friday to discuss investment opportunities and strengthen cooperation in the mining sector.

During his official visit to India, Alkhorayef held discussions aimed at enhancing collaboration in exploration, production and processing of critical metals, as well as fostering knowledge exchange and innovation between the two nations, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The minister met representatives from Vedanta, an Indian multinational mining company headquartered in Mumbai, to explore investment opportunities in the copper value chain, with both parties expressing interest in advancing cooperation to support the development of this essential metal.

Additionally, he held talks with Bharat Forge — which specializes in forging, automotives, energy, construction and mining, railways, marine, aerospace and defense — to examine prospects in the iron sector.

In another meeting with Aditya Birla, a company specializing in copper and aluminum, discussions centered on potential collaboration in mineral exploration and processing.

The Indian firm expressed its intent to establish a framework for joint cooperation in the natural and mineral resources sectors, with aluminum manufacturing also identified as a key area of interest.

Alkhorayef also met representatives from Essar Company to review opportunities in the iron and steel industry, and get updates on Essar’s project in Saudi Arabia, which is focused on producing iron plates for construction applications.


Shada Al-Ala Mountain: Historic gem draws visitors to Al-Baha

Updated 07 February 2025
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Shada Al-Ala Mountain: Historic gem draws visitors to Al-Baha

  • The oratory of Shada Al-Ala Mountain is atop Jabal Shada in Al-Makhwah Governorate, occupying an area of about 9 sq. meters

RIYADH: The Al-Baha region in southwest Saudi Arabia features a rich tapestry of archaeological sites and historic structures that span various eras, highlighting the area’s deep cultural heritage. 

These landmarks not only preserve the region’s historical legacy but also serve as enduring symbols of its vibrant past. 

Among the most notable are Al-Qara Hill and the oratory of Shada Al-Ala Mountain.

The oratory of Shada Al-Ala Mountain is atop Jabal Shada in Al-Makhwah Governorate, occupying an area of about 9 sq. meters, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

Built along the entire perimeter of the mountain’s peak, it rises more than 2,200 meters above sea level, requiring an arduous four-hour trek from the nearest village to reach it. 

Despite its isolation, the oratory has remarkably preserved its four walls, although its roof has collapsed and remains unrestorable due to the site’s extreme inaccessibility and the rugged terrain leading to it.

During a visit to Shada Al-Ala Mountain, an SPA correspondent met with researcher Saeed Al-Shadwi, who elaborated on the historical significance of Mount Shada and Shadwan as prominent geographical landmarks. 

He highlighted their presence in numerous glossaries, historical records and poetic works dating back to the sixth century.

Al-Shadwi noted that the white rock situated beneath the mountain to the northwest is a triangular formation commonly known as “Al-Marwa” and the summit is named “Qimmat Al-Marwa” after it, as referred to by the villagers. 

The Shada Al-Ala and Al-Asfal mountains are home to a wealth of historical sites and landmarks that date back thousands of years. Among them are ancient caves, rock inscriptions, the Shada Mountain Reserve, and the oratory. 

The region is also celebrated as the area where Shadawi coffee is cultivated.

 


Saudi king, crown prince send condolences on passing of former Algerian PM

Updated 07 February 2025
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Saudi king, crown prince send condolences on passing of former Algerian PM

  • Sid Ahmed Ghozali, who died age 88, was Algeria’s PM from June 1991 to July 1992

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have sent condolences to Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the passing of former Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Ghozali.

In his message, King Salman expressed his deepest sympathy to the Algerian president and the family of the deceased, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The crown prince conveyed his condolences in a separate message, echoing the king’s sentiments, the SPA added.

Ghozali died at the age of 88 on Feb. 4 at the Ain Naaja military hospital in Algiers, state television reported. He was buried the next day at Ben Aknoun cemetery.

A graduate of Ecole des Ponts et Chaussees in Paris, Ghozali’s career in public service started in 1964 when he was named under-secretary of state for public works shortly after Algeria’s independence.

He subsequently held numerous high-ranking ministerial positions including energy, water resources, finance and foreign affairs, before being appointed prime minister from June 1991 to July 8, 1992.

As minister of energy and industry, he headed Sonatrach, Algeria’s national oil company, from 1966 to 1977, overseeing the nationalization of the hydrocarbons industry in 1971.


Flynas airline to launch Jeddah to El-Alamein route

Updated 07 February 2025
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Flynas airline to launch Jeddah to El-Alamein route

  • Plan to operate 2 weekly flights from King Abdulaziz International Airport
  • El-Alamein is popular tourist destination on northern coast of Egypt

RIYADH: Flynas, the Saudi Arabian airline, is to launch a new direct flight route connecting Jeddah with the Egyptian city of El-Alamein on the Mediterranean Sea.

The airline announced on Thursday that it will operate two weekly budget flights between Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport and El-Alamein International Airport, starting on July 1.

Flynas, a budget airline established in 2007, has been operating flights between Riyadh and El-Alamein — a popular tourist destination on the northwest coast of Egypt — since last year.

Flynas last month celebrated the start of its first direct flights between Riyadh and Entebbe in Uganda.

The airline currently operates about 139 routes to more than 70 domestic and international destinations across 30 countries, with more than 1,500 flights weekly, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

It has served more than 80 million passengers since its launch and plans to expand to 165 destinations by 2030, in accordance with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.