Riyadh: Riyadh Region Mayor Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, who also is heading the Saudi delegation at the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo, delivered a speech titled ‘Building Riyadh’s Global Impact: Through Major Events.’ The speech was part of the session titled “Legacy of Mega Events” within the WUF12’s activities.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the mayor emphasized that Riyadh is preparing to host a large number of major global events in the coming months and years, highlighting that it is currently one of the largest and most important cities due to its vital role across various political, cultural, economic, social, entertainment, and tourism sectors. Prince Faisal indicated that Riyadh’s current challenge is that it is scheduled to host a large number of important events, with World Expo 2030 being the most prominent, in addition to various other sports, entertainment, and social events.
He pointed out that Riyadh has developed an annual calendar for medium- and small-scale even
ts, hosting over 4,000 in the first half of 2022 alone. The Saudi capital launched its signature event, Riyadh Season, a recreational season for both residents and visitors, which attracted nearly 20 million visitors last year with its diverse activities, he said.
Prince Faisal emphasized Riyadh’s commitment to ensuring that the infrastructure for these events is not dedicated to a single occasion but is designed with a lasting impact on the city’s overall development plan, noting that these events should be an essential and recurring part of the city’s life. He also highlighted the need for a forward-thinking approach regarding the use of projects after the event ends, adding that the facilities built for such events in Riyadh will not be temporary structures but will serve as permanent drivers of urban growth in the city.
Moreover, he highlighted the importance of actively involving residents in all stages of such projects, emphasizing the long-term sustainable impact on their lives and stressing the posi
tive effects they will have on easing daily life and improving its quality. Additionally, he noted the need to preserve the city’s architectural identity by designing projects that reflect the memory of the place, enhance its identity, and draw from its culture and history.
