Rediscovering history: Diriyah Gate project – Construction Week Online

Rediscovering history: Diriyah Gate project – Construction Week Online

Saudi Arabia is undergoing an immense transformation, which is expected to propel its capital city Riyadh to one of the world’s top 10 largest city economies. Saudi leadership’s high ambition and inspiring vision are paving the way to bring this master plan to action.

Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) was established with this vision in 2017, with a pipeline budget of $20bn to transform 7km2 of Saudi Arabia’s birthplace – Diriyah – into the world’s largest cultural and heritage destination and a key part of the kingdom’s bid to become an international tourism hub within its Vision 2030 objectives.

Centred around the UNESCO World heritage site At-Turaif, the historic town of Diriyah is being developed by DGDA following traditional Najdi architectural styles and classic mud-brick façades. DGDA’s edict is to transform Diriyah Gate and the surrounding Wadi Safar and Al Bujairi neighbourhoods into vibrant destinations while preserving the At-Turaif heritage site and empowering the entire Diriyah community.