DAVOS: Diriyah Gate Development Authority鈥檚 Chief Strategic Management Officer Talal Kansara has outlined the city鈥檚 ambition to become a model for urban and social transformation, offering a new way of living while preserving 海角直播鈥檚 cultural heritage.
Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Kansara emphasized Diriyah鈥檚 role in showcasing urban development intertwined with authenticity and tradition.
鈥淚 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,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he 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.鈥
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鈥檚 architectural and cultural heritage.
Marking its WEF debut, Kansara said that Diriyah鈥檚 participation at Davos aims to showcase the project鈥檚 holistic approach, spanning tourism, hospitality, culture and real estate.
鈥淧eople would see beyond Diriyah as one of the Kingdom鈥檚 giga project, they would see elements of Diriyah that that is part of its DNA,鈥 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.
鈥淲e have a case that we want to present to the world when it comes to urban transformation,鈥 Kansara said, 鈥渁nd we (want to) foster the dialog between us and people who have urban transformation and urban economy as one of their priorities.鈥
He added that Diriyah鈥檚 practices can serve as a guide for other cities to design spaces catering to human needs, including both locals and visitors.
鈥淧eople need to walk, they need to interact, they need to socialize,鈥 Kansara said, 鈥渁lso 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鈥檛 want the visitors and the tourists to overrun the infrastructure.鈥
He said that the world is full of examples 鈥渨here overtourism is somehow jeopardizing and decreasing the quality of the city, and you can see the community bothered from that in different places.鈥
Central to 海角直播鈥檚 national tourism strategy, Diriyah is projected to attract 50 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.
鈥淪ustainability is not an afterthought. Sustainability has been in the (project) DNA since the master plan,鈥 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.
鈥淒iriyah is a place where people can live, walk, dine, play, have fun and learn. You would come in a place that鈥檚 not a theme park. This is more of an organic place. You鈥檒l 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鈥檚 a great opportunity for the visitors to have a real touch, the real exposure to the history of the country of 海角直播.鈥
Visitors to Diriyah鈥檚 pavilion at the Saudi House in Davos have been captivated by its unconventional real-estate approach.
鈥淭he 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, 鈥極K, we are not seeing this,鈥欌 Kansara said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e 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鈥檚 not a museum where you see things, but that鈥檚 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.鈥
