Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman, serving as the country’s prime minister and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), has officially launched the urban design for the city of Qiddiya along with its brand, as reported by the state-run news agency, Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The Crown Prince stated that Qiddiya will soon become a leading global destination in the realms of entertainment, sports, and culture. The branding for Qiddiya will be centered around the concept of “play,” a choice informed by decades of research highlighting its significance in cognitive development, emotional expression, social skills, creativity, and physical health.
The upcoming megaproject is believed to create a positive influence on the Kingdom’s economy and international standing, enhancing Riyadh’s strategic significance and contributing to its economic expansion. The objective is to enhance the quality of life, propelling Riyadh into the ranks of the world’s top 10 economies.
Focusing on qualitative investment in the city of Qiddiya, the Crown Prince underlined its important role in realizing Saudi Vision 2030. This ambitious vision seeks to diversify the kingdom’s economy, generating numerous job opportunities for the country’s aspiring youth.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), construction projects for the Qiddiya endeavor, involving approximately SAR 10 billion ($2.7 billion), commenced in 2019.
Qiddiya City
Qiddiya’s first offering, Qiddiya City, is a unique destination situated on the outskirts of Riyadh, promising limitless fun and excitement for both residents and visitors.
Having unparalleled offerings in entertainment, sports, culture, and urban living, the city spans 360 square kilometers with 60,000 buildings and is believed to accommodate over 600,000 residents.
With approximately 48 million visits annually, Qiddiya City will feature an unprecedented array of world-class attractions and venues.
The project is supposed to generate over 325,000 job opportunities, contributing to a nominal GDP of SAR 135 billion per year.
Situated just 40 minutes from Riyadh center and overlooking the breathtaking cliffs of the Tuwaiq mountains, Qiddiya City will host a gaming and esports district, a global hub for competitions, a speed park track, golf courses, a colossal water theme park, and Six Flags Qiddiya.
The city will also house a multipurpose stadium. With its unique blend of sports, culture, and entertainment experiences concentrated in one location, Qiddiya City aims to become a globally unique destination, with some attractions set to launch in the coming months.