Client: UN-Habitat and Future Saudi Cities Program, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Call for Proposals
We were honoured to be the Technical Lead of this extensive bid, which we developed in collaboration with the University of Westminster, Professor Emeritus of Urban Development at London University, Patrick Wakely, Barton Willmore Consultancy, and the Arab Urban Development Institute.
Our offer, based on research, outlined an integrated planning framework to support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in building a national-level sustainable urban development policy. This took a starting point in an assessment of the challenges facing Saudi cities and regions, as well as current planning. We aimed to develop a planning framework based on a holistic approach guiding development at all spatial levels and integrating environmental, social, economic, and cultural sustainability aims. We developed the bid within the framework of Saudi policy reforms, including urban design reforms in 2015, with the aim of motivating better coordination between spatial and sector development and ensuring the viability of places through high-quality design. We placed emphasis on horizontal governance approaches to implement plans, involving public and private stakeholders and paving the way towards civil society participation and more public awareness.
The Bid builds on our earlier experience drawing up sustainable urban development policies and planning frameworks at multiple spatial scales.