King Salman Park, the world's largest urban park, is expected to open in Riyadh in 2024.
The 16 square kilometer mega park will have 11 square kilometers of green space and aquatic features in the middle of the capital.
King Salman Park will have the first sky diving facility in the city, an equestrian center, an 850,000 square meter Royal golf course, and a Royal Arts Complex.
In keeping with Saudi Vision 2030, the park, which will also have more than 2,000 hotel rooms, intends to raise Riyadh's worldwide standing and enhance the city's quality of life.
Overview of King Salman Park
King Salman Park, launched on 19 March 2019, is an ambitious initiative under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. At the park's core, the aim is to improve Riyadh's residents' and visitors' quality of life.
Previously known as the Al Waha and Salahuddin neighborhoods, King Salman Park will be situated in the newly designated King Salman Neighborhood.
By providing a variety of sports, cultural, artistic, and recreational options, the park seeks to create a vibrant and healthy society, thus raising Riyadh’s global ranking.
The Largest Urban Park in The World
Covering an area of over 16 km², making it four times larger than New York's Central Park. King Salman Park is set to surpass all other urban parks worldwide in size.
Envisioned as a green heart for the city, the park is a testament to Saudi Arabia's commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation.
King Salman Park’s Location
King Salman Park is strategically located in the city of Riyadh and is connected to several main roads, the King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project through five stations on the Green Line of Riyadh Metro, and 10 stations of the Riyadh Bus network, making it easily accessible for all.
Environmental Elements at King Salman Park
King Salman Park is set to have various environmental elements contributing to its uniqueness and grandeur. These include:
Green areas and open spaces covering over 9.3 million square meters are characterized by an Islamic-style garden, vertical gardens, a maze garden, and a bird and butterfly sanctuary.
-
Gardens spanning over 400,000 square meters.
-
A circular pedestrian walkway extending for 7.2 km.
-
A valley area of over 800,000 square meters.
-
Various water features covering over 300,000 square meters.
The Royal Art Complex
The $2 billion 1.2 km long Royal Art Complex, occupying an area of more than 400,000 square meters, is set to include a national theatre with a seating capacity of 2500,
It will also feature 5 museums of different sizes, an outdoor theatre with a capacity of 8000 audience, a complex with three cinema halls, four art academies, and an educational center for children.
King Salman Park’s Cultural Facilities
King Salman Park will house seven different museums, including Aviation Museum, Astronomy and Space Museum, Science Museum, Museum of Plants, Virtual Reality Museum, and Architecture Museum. It will also have plazas to host different events and showcase artworks and landmarks.
Vision Centre at King Salman Park
The vision center, spanning 80,000 square meters, will function as a hub for the environment, culture, and education. It will feature interactive displays, multipurpose halls, a meeting space, a plant nursery, and several coffee shops and restaurants.
Sports at King Salman Park
The park will house a variety of sports and entertainment facilities such as a sports complex, a virtual reality court, a sky diving center, an equestrian center, running and biking routes, an amusement park, an aquapark, a family amusement center, a tower, and a skybridge.
Hospitality and Public Facilities
The park will also house residential compounds providing 12,000 housing units, 16 hotels with a total of 2300 rooms, 390 square meters of office space, and 500,000 square meters of retail spaces.
In addition to all these, the park will feature mosques, police, healthcare, educational and social facilities, public libraries, parking spaces, main and service roads, walkways, and pathways.
The Grand Vision
King Salman Park is more than just a park; it is a triumph of landscape architecture, sustainable development, and cultural preservation. As the world's largest park, it stands as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to green spaces and community well-being.
With its sheer size, environmental conscientiousness, and myriad recreational and cultural offerings, it is set to captivate the imagination and nourish the soul of its visitors.
Riyadh's Upcoming Mega Projects
Al-Uraba Park
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has announced to start the construction of Al-Uruba Park, one of Riyadh's largest parks.
Spanning over 754,000 square meters, the park will feature a 3-kilometer panoramic path with a width of 12 meters, offering unparalleled views of the city.
In order to cover 65% of the park's area, over 600,000 trees and shrubs will be planted.
This project is a vital component of the Green Riyadh Program, which aims to plant 7.5 million trees throughout the city to improve its livability by reducing temperature and air pollution. This park will help make Riyadh one of the most desirable cities to live in.
Riyadh’s New Murabba
The New Murabba will be the largest central area in Riyadh, created through a collaboration between the New Murabba Development Company and the Tourism Development Fund of Saudi Arabia.
Covering a vast 2 million square meters, this project will feature notable landmarks such as the Mukaab Tower and will include various retail sections, tourist attractions, and hotels.
The ambitious project is expected to bring in $48 billion to the Saudi economy and generate around 334,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly.
Riyadh Sports Boulevard
The Riyadh Sports Boulevard project aims to be the longest linear park in the world, connecting Wadi Hanifa and Wadi Al Sulai, spanning 135 kilometers from the western to eastern regions of Riyadh.
This ambitious initiative aims to transform the city into a highly livable and healthy environment on a global scale.
The Sports Boulevard will encompass a vast array of pathways, bike paths, and equestrian trails, surrounded by a breathtaking 4.4 million square meters of lush green spaces.
Additionally, the development will consist of 8 unique neighborhoods, each featuring top-notch amenities such as the athletics district, entertainment district, and arts district.
Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton Residences
The Diriyah Company, in partnership with Ritz-Carlton, has announced its upcoming launch of high-end branded residences in Saudi Arabia. These luxurious Ritz-Carlton Residences will be located in the bustling heart of the $63 billion Diriyah Giga project in Riyadh.
Each villa will offer three distinct interior styles, ranging from traditional Najdi to modern contemporary designs, providing a unique and luxurious living experience. The Diriyah Project is set to include 20,000 residential units and exclusive hotels and dining options.
Riyadh Rise Tower
The Rise Tower, planned by Saudi Arabia Holding Co., is expected to be the tallest skyscraper in the world, surpassing the famous Burj Khalifa in Riyadh. This unveiling of the Rise Tower's blueprints is a key aspect of Riyadh's larger North Pole Project.
To surpass the Burj Khalifa, the Rise Tower is predicted to reach a staggering height of 828 meters. There are rumors that the Rise Tower may even reach a remarkable 2 kilometers, doubling the current height of the Burj Khalifa.
Continue Reading: Construction Work Starts on Riyadh’s Al-Uruba Park Project
