Image credit: Cityscape Global/Website
Cityscape Global 2025 continued its high-profile run in Riyadh this week, drawing international real estate leaders to explore the theme, The Future of Urban Living. Sponsored by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing in partnership with REGA, Vision 2030, and the Housing Program, and organized by Tahaluf, the event has solidified its status as a premier platform for global real estate investment, innovation, and planning discussions.
Foundation partners for the event include NHC, Diriyah Company, ROSHN Group, New Murabba, Qiddiya City, and Rua AlHaram AlMakki Co., reflecting the kingdom’s commitment to fostering collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
Read more-Cityscape Global 2025: Saudi unveils $43bn in deals as it showcases its urban future
Cityscape Global 2025’s opening days showcased major projects and the growing role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in reshaping Saudi Arabia’s real estate landscape. A high-level panel featuring Loaye Al Nahedh, CEO of REDF; Brian Higgins, founder and managing partner of King Street Capital Management; and Mohammed bin Saleh Albuty, CEO of NHC, explored how government-backed initiatives are driving investor confidence. The panel highlighted a sharp rise in global interest, particularly in sectors such as data centers and digital infrastructure.
John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global, provided further insights in a fireside chat, emphasising the kingdom’s rapid progress in developing flagship destinations. “I set out to build a national champion for Saudi real estate, and I think we’ve achieved that,” Pagano said, noting that ten resorts are now operational, with seventeen more scheduled to open next year. Red Sea and Amaala, he added, are now the world’s largest destinations powered entirely by renewable energy, reflecting a commitment to sustainability in line with Vision 2030.
Masterplanning the future
Discussions on innovative urban design featured Oussama Kabani, group chief development officer at ROSHN Group, alongside Sheela Maini Søgaard, CEO of Bjarke Ingels Group. The pair highlighted how future masterplans must combine flexibility with affordability to attract investment and ensure long-term success. Kabani stressed the importance of cross-project collaboration, while Søgaard underscored that technological advances, such as AI-enabled design tools, must still be anchored in human values and youth engagement.
Parallel discussions explored how mega-events are accelerating urban transformation. Eng Ahmed Al Juhani, CEO of Rua Al Madinah; Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority; Alessandra Priante, President of the Italian National Tourism Board; and Gavin M. Faull, chairman and president of Swiss-Belhotel International, examined the role of large-scale events in shaping city infrastructure and international perception.
Hamidaddin noted that Riyadh Season and AlUla Season 2024 host more events per week than Las Vegas, putting Saudi Arabia firmly on the global map. Priante emphasised the importance of long-term planning, citing Milan’s post-Expo 2015 legacy as a model.
$43bn in deals highlight economic growth
Deal-making momentum was a centerpiece of the event, with $43bn in deals revealed over the first two days. Highlights included:
- ROSHN Group announced a $293m development within the SEDRA community, encompassing over 700 residential units, alongside land sales in ALAROUS with sub-developers.
- Al Bilad Capital unveiled the $4.4bn Makkah Vision Fund for a 686,000 sqm site near Masjid al-Haram, as well as the Al Bilad Opportunities Fund II for a 229,000 sqm mixed-use site in Qurtubah.
- ALUPCO & AAG signed a $500m Saudi-Chinese agreement to establish aluminium plants supplying major real estate projects.
- SAB Invest launched two major mixed-use development funds totaling $764m, including an office-led high-rise on King Fahd Road in Sahafa and a multi-purpose mid-rise community along the Eastern Ring Road in Hamra.
- Eleven municipalities signed PPP contracts with Elm and TUV Rheiland to enhance urban sustainability, foster innovation ecosystems, and ensure high-quality civil works delivery.
These announcements underscore Saudi Arabia’s growing attractiveness for both domestic and international investors, reflecting the kingdom’s strategic approach to urban development and economic diversification.
Saudi mayors shape the urban vision
Cityscape Global 2025 also featured a data-driven discussion on heritage-led urban development and the role of private-sector participation in city planning. Moderated by Saud Alsulaimani, country head, KSA at JLL, the session brought together:
- Saleh Al-Turki, Mayor of Jeddah
- Musad bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood, Mayor of Holy Makkah
- Abdullah Mahdi Al-Jali, Mayor of Aseer Region
Al-Turki highlighted Jeddah’s dynamic growth, noting 29 completed investment projects spanning housing, engineering, and industry. “Our priority is creating a vibrant city with strong infrastructure and quality-of-life indicators, making Jeddah a global destination for investment,” he said.
Musad bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood emphasised Makkah’s ambitious urban agenda, citing over 100 investment opportunities launched in 2024. He stressed that restructured urban areas, logistics hubs, and labour housing zones are driving sustainable urban development.
Abdullah Mahdi Al Jali outlined Aseer Region’s tourism-driven urban identity, focusing on open, sustainable spaces designed to leverage sunlight and natural airflow. “We resolved 95 per cent of stalled projects and paved the way for new investments through unprecedented regulatory flexibility,” Al Jali noted, reinforcing Asir’s position as a growing investment hub.
Exclusive financing and attendee benefits
In addition to deals and discussions, Cityscape Global 2025 offered attendees unique opportunities for financing and incentives. Banks on-site provided mortgage rates below 3 per cent, while exclusive cash backs, discounts, and prizes worth over SAR11m enhanced the appeal of participating in the event.
Rachel Sturgess, SVP at Tahaluf, emphasised the transformative role of Cityscape Global. “Cityscape Global 2025 is driving thought leadership and facilitating conversations that shape the future of real estate. It is where transformative deals and strategic investments are made between Saudi Arabia and the global community to unlock new opportunities for growth,” she said.
Sturgess also highlighted the strategic impact of the inaugural ESTAAD, co-located with Cityscape Global. The event proved a valuable forum for discussions on sports infrastructure, stadiums, and Saudi Arabia’s preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2034.
As Cityscape Global 2025 progresses, the event continues to exemplify Saudi Arabia’s vision for urban transformation, blending sustainable development, mega-projects, and international collaboration. From high-value deals to discussions on heritage-led planning and future-ready masterplans, the event underscores the kingdom’s strategic positioning as a global real estate and investment hub.
With the combination of government initiatives, private-sector engagement, and international investment, the future of urban living in Saudi Arabia is taking shape rapidly, offering investors, planners, and developers a blueprint for sustainable growth and innovation.
