Saudi Arabia is embarking on a transformative journey to redefine urban living and economic development, setting a new benchmark for cities worldwide. Through visionary projects and strategic reforms, the kingdom is addressing the challenges of the 21st century, aiming to diversify its economy, enhance sustainability, and improve the quality of life for its citizens.
News: Saudi City Joins the Ranks of Smart Cities
Importance of ICT in Smart Cities
ICT and advanced technologies are pivotal in shaping Saudi Arabia's smart cities and aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030; they are crucial for improving digital infrastructure.
Ericsson affirms that as digitalization continues to gain momentum across the nation, a strategic emphasis on network infrastructure, 5G technology, and partnerships will be instrumental in ensuring the realization of a more interconnected and prosperous future.
This digital infrastructure facilitates the development of Saudi’s tech hubs, attracting global tech companies and fostering innovation. By promoting ICT-driven solutions, the Kingdom is positioning itself as a leader in the global smart city movement, attracting international investment and creating a sustainable, knowledge-driven economy.
The integration of 5G technology is particularly central to transforming urban mobility, enabling high-speed communication for smart transportation systems, autonomous vehicles (AVs), and connected infrastructure. This ensures seamless connectivity, making Saudi smart cities more responsive to residents' needs while reducing congestion and energy consumption.
Last year, Nokia’s ‘NextGen Lab’ opened in Riyadh’s Laysen Valley, representing Nokia’s dedication to “driving digital growth and supporting the Kingdom’s leadership in the regional digital transformation journey,” said Ali Jitawi, Market Unit Head of Mobile Networks at Nokia, Saudi Arabia. The NextGen Lab’s objectives include developing and testing smart city applications, fostering new industy-leading business models, optimizing operations, and enhancing security.
In November, 2024, stc Group and New Murabba (a PIF company) signed a strategic partnership to drive the adoption of advanced ICT in New Murabba. This collaboration encompasses the potential deployment of comprehensive ICT infrastructure projects while leveraging stc Group’s innovative digital solutions and expertise in smart city development.
HITEK, part of the Farnek Group, has formed a joint venture (JV) with Virgin Mobile Saudi to drive smart city development in Saudi Arabia. CEO, Yaarob Al-Sayegh, said, “At Virgin Mobile, we believe in the transformative power of technology to create smarter, more sustainable cities.” The partnership focuses on advanced telecommunications solutions, including 5G networks and digital services, with Virgin Mobile Saudi working alongside local providers to achieve this vision.
In the dynamic landscape of mega projects, Atos works in partnership with AWS, a leading cloud provider, and Zain KSA, a leading digital services and solutions provider in Saudi Arabia, steering the course toward a future where smart solutions are not just a possibility but a reality that transforms the very fabric of Saudi Arabia's giga projects. “By combining our award-winning 5G network with the global expertise of Atos and AWS, we seek to bring smart solutions to power a wide range of smart city functionalities,” Zain KSA Acting CEO, Eng. Saad A. Al-Sadhan, said.
Zain KSA utilizes Atos’s Smart Destination platform to enable smart city initiatives and improve the quality of life for residents across the Kingdom. ISVs and integrators play a critical role in accelerating the implementation of smart cities as they facilitate the use of AWS services by Zain KSA and their B2B2X end customers, while also developing their own services on AWS infrastructure.
The Saudi government is striving towards placing Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam in the top 100 cities worldwide by 2030.
Huawei believes that it is imperative to leverage the synergy and collaborative power of the five tech domains—cloud, computing, AI, connectivity, and industry applications—to unleash the full potential of Saudi’s intelligent society.
Vision 2030: A Blueprint for Transformation
At the heart of Saudi Arabia's urban evolution is Vision 2030, a comprehensive plan launched in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. This initiative seeks to reduce the nation's dependence on oil revenues by fostering economic diversification, developing public service sectors, and promoting a more vibrant society.
A key component of Saudi Vision 2030 is the development of futuristic cities that embody innovation and sustainability.
NEOM: A Futuristic Megacity
One of the most ambitious projects under Vision 2030 is NEOM, a USD 500 billion megacity envisioned to be a global hub for innovation and tourism. Located in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, NEOM is designed to integrate advanced technologies, renewable energy, and sustainable living practices. The city aims to attract international investment and talent, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in futuristic urban development.
NEOM integrates advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and blockchain to create a fully connected urban environment. In its efforts to promote AI adoption, Saudi Arabia is building AI-friendly ecosystems and supporting the implementation of data analytics solutions and smart city initiatives, including NEOM.
NEOM’s commitment to sustainability is also evident in its plans to establish fully renewable energy systems, driven by technological advancements in solar and wind power.
Back in 2020, NEOM took its first step toward creating the “world’s leading cognitive cities” by signing a contract with stc Group to build a 5G network infrastructure to support NEOM’s digital vision. Alongside the one-year contract for network development, the partnership also includes the creation of an innovation center in NEOM to explore new 5G opportunities. A year later, stc signed a partnership with dizmo to launch a smart home platform in the futuristic city of NEOM.
NEOM and Cybersecurity: Strong Preparation and Continuous Evolution
King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD): A Hub for Finance and Innovation
The King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh exemplifies Saudi Arabia's commitment to creating world-class business environments. Spanning over 1.6 million square meters, it serves as a financial hub, housing numerous banks, financial institutions, and corporate offices. Orange Business has signed a deal with the KAFD Development and Management Company to design, build, and run a Smart City Platform that will integrate and connect existing digital technologies at Saudi Arabia’s prime business district. KAFD also unveiled plans to introduce an electric monorail system by 2026.
King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC): A Model for Economic Diversification
Located along the Red Sea coast, King Abdullah Economic City is a planned city designed to diversify Saudi Arabia's economy. Spanning 173 km², KAEC includes a deep-water port, industrial zones, residential areas, and educational institutions. In 2023, Salam partnered with EDGNEX Data Centers by Damac, Cinturion Corp, and Emaar the Economic City (EEC) (KAEC’s master developer), establishing an MoU to enhance telecom and digital infrastructure. This collaboration supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by creating a digital infrastructure hub in KAEC equipped with submarine cables, data centers, fiber networks, and cloud solutions.
Makkah Smart City
The Holy Makkah Municipality signed an agreement in December, 2024, to develop smart city solutions that will enhance disaster resilience, especially against floods. The partnership focuses on AI-driven strategies, improving control room efficiency, strengthening governance, and accelerating digital transformation. Key initiatives include establishing a smart infrastructure monitoring system, mitigating flood risk, and automating operations through an advanced decision-making control center.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia's urban development initiatives represent a bold vision for the future, aiming to set new standards in sustainability, innovation, and economic diversification.
By investing in futuristic cities and infrastructure, the Kingdom aspires to create environments that meet the challenges of the 21st century, offering valuable lessons for urban development worldwide.
More on Smart Cities:
Street-Smart Cities: Balancing Innovation with Privacy and Security
Greening Smart Cities and Industries
The Connected Road Ahead: Navigating Intelligent Environments and Smart Cities
Safe, Smart, Seamless: Cities in the Digital Economy
