Masar Destination —one of the most prominent integrated urban projects in Makkah, owned, developed, and operated by Umm Al-Qura Development and Construction Company– the Gold Certification in the Green Communities category of the “LEED Sustainable Urban Development” program, for adopting a planning approach that prioritizes people and quality of life while promoting long-term resilience.
The certification was awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) following a comprehensive technical review using the world’s most widely used assessment system in the fields of sustainability, buildings, and green environments, which provides a recognized framework for measuring and managing environmental, social, and economic performance at the community level, after meeting the requirements of the Gold certification track—designed for projects that demonstrate advanced levels of sustainability and quality of life standards— which include planning and design strategies across several key areas, such as: integration of transportation and land use, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, and improving the quality of life within the urban community to enhance urban resilience.
Yasser Abu Ateeq, CEO of Umm Al-Qura Development and Construction Company, emphasized that cities achieve sustainable value when designed as integrated, people-centered systems, This perspective reflects our planning methodology, which places resource efficiency, resilience, and quality of life at the heart of development at the urban community level, It also represents a significant milestone in our journey toward developing sustainable urban destinations that support the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to build cities ready for the future.
For his part, Peter Templeton, CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Peter Templeton explained that incorporating social, economic, and environmental considerations into decision-making and planning yields practical solutions that enhance quality of life—a fact reflected in the certification Masar received, which demonstrates its leadership in the field of sustainability.
It is worth noting that this achievement aligns with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to develop more sustainable, prosperous urban environments with a higher quality of life. By obtaining LEED Gold certification during the planning and design phase, one of the highest international certifications in sustainability and the built environment, which sets an advanced standard for integrated development that balances environmental responsibility, quality of life, and long-term urban impact.
