The Saudi capital Riyadh is preparing to launch the «Cool Riyadh» project within the next year, reflecting the Kingdom's move towards building more sustainable and climate-resilient cities. The project is one of the largest urban cooling projects in the region, aiming to reduce the temperatures of asphalt <a href="https://amlak.net.The project comes as part of the Kingdom's efforts to enhance the quality of life and achieve the environmental sustainability targets of Saudi Vision 2030 in a city that is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and faces increasing challenges associated with rising temperatures and the phenomenon of "urban heat islands.«
The project is one of the largest urban cooling projects in the region, aiming to reduce the temperatures of asphalt, walls and pedestrian environments by between 8 and 15 degrees Celsius.
What is Tabreed Riyadh?
The project is based on the application of Urban Cooling techniques, a set of engineering and environmental solutions designed to reduce the absorption and storage of heat within cities, especially in areas of high urban density.
The main solutions that the project will rely on include: Developing architectural standards and building materials that are more compatible with the hot climate.
The project aims to reduce the phenomenon of »heat islands," in which temperatures in cities rise higher than surrounding areas as a result of urban expansion, the density of concrete and asphalt, and the lack of vegetation. The project aims to reduce the phenomenon of »heat islands,« which is the phenomenon in which urban temperatures rise above the surrounding areas.
Royal Commission selects PLANET to lead the project The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has selected PLANET S.A. to be the lead consultant for the strategic project.
According to the announced information, the company will: The project is part of a larger trend to make Riyadh a more sustainable and less vulnerable to rising heat waves.
Why is the project important? The use of more climate-friendly building materials and designs may also contribute in the future to reshape the standards of urban development in the Saudi capital.
Five pilot areas to test solutions Riyadh is one of the largest cities in the world.
The "Cool Riyadh" project complements the major environmental projects implemented by Saudi Arabia, led by the "Green Riyadh" and "King Salman Park" projects, which aim to enhance vegetation cover and improve the capital's urban environment. The new project aims to address other structural factors causing global warming within neighborhoods, such as the quality of building materials, roofs and urban design methods. Roadmap for a more resilient city Riyadh's thermal challenges and a practical roadmap for reducing urban heat through data-driven analysis, sustainable urban planning, and resilient infrastructure.
The project is seen as a proactive step to enhance Riyadh's attractiveness as a global living and investment destination and transform it into one of the most sustainable and livable cities in the region. The project is expected to become a global reference model for cities facing increasing temperatures, especially given the challenges associated with climate change and rapid urbanization around the world.
Using innovative and highly thermally reflective materials in road paving and asphalt paving.
Treating materials around pedestrian walkways to reduce heat absorption.
Creating open water channels and evaporation ponds to help cool the atmosphere.
Expanding afforestation works and increasing vegetation cover.
Developing architectural standards and building materials more compatible with the hot climate.
These solutions are expected to contribute to cooling the atmosphere, increasing oxygen levels and reducing reliance on electric cooling, which will reflect on reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has selected PLANET S.A. to be the lead consultant for the strategic project, in a move to develop an integrated vision to address urban heat challenges in the Saudi capital.
Develop a comprehensive strategy for cooling Riyadh city.
Develop urban planning guidelines for urban cooling.
Develop standards for climate-responsive building materials and designs.
Designate 5 pilot areas to test urban cooling solutions and evaluate their effectiveness.
The project is part of »Green Riyadh"
The "Cool Riyadh« project is implemented under the umbrella of the Green Riyadh Program, one of the major projects overseen by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, which aims to increase the per capita green space and plant millions of trees in the Saudi capital.
The integration of urban cooling solutions with afforestation and environmental infrastructure development is part of a wider drive to transform Riyadh into a more sustainable city less affected by rising heat waves.
The importance of the project lies in the fact that it is not only limited to reducing temperatures, but its impact extends to several economic, health and environmental aspects, most notably:
Improving the quality of life in residential neighborhoods and public areas.
Reducing carbon emissions associated with high electricity consumption.
Improving pedestrian comfort and encouraging movement in open spaces.
Reducing health effects resulting from heat stress and high temperatures.
The use of more climate-compatible building materials and designs may contribute in the future to reshape the standards of urban development in the Saudi capital.
According to available data, the first phase will start with five pilot areas within Riyadh, where different urban cooling technologies will be tested, measuring their impact on temperatures, energy efficiency and thermal comfort for residents, before gradually expanding the project to a larger scale within the city.The »Cool Riyadh" project is part of a growing global trend adopted by major cities to counter the effects of climate change and rising temperatures by relying on nature-based solutions and smart urban design, especially with expectations of rising global temperatures in the coming decades.
Through these initiatives, Saudi Arabia seeks to strengthen Riyadh's position as one of the modern cities capable of achieving a balance between urban growth and environmental sustainability at a time when major urban development projects are accelerating within the Kingdom.
While afforestation projects already contribute to lowering temperatures, the new project aims to address other structural factors causing global warming within neighborhoods, such as the quality of building materials, roofs and urban design methods.
Over a 12-month period, the project is expected to provide an integrated framework for understanding the thermal challenges facing Riyadh, along with a practical roadmap for reducing urban heat through data-driven analysis, sustainable urban planning, and resilient infrastructure.
The project is also expected to become a global reference model for cities facing rising temperatures, especially in light of the challenges associated with climate change and rapid urbanization around the world.
