Tahaluf’s Rachel Sturgess on how Cityscape Global aligns with Saudi’s ambitious vision

Cityscape Global 2024 highlights its theme as ‘The Future of Living’ aligning with Vision 2030. Can you elaborate on specific ways the event contributes to the kingdom’s ambitious goals for the housing sector?

Cityscape Global is aligned with Vision 2030 goals, showcasing the kingdom’s mega projects, which are central to its urban transformation goals. These projects focus on sustainable development, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to creating greener, smarter cities that enhance the quality of living for its citizens.

A key component of the event is its institutional investor programme, which connects international funds with Saudi projects through tailored matchmaking and numerous networking events. This fosters collaboration and encourages foreign direct investment, contributing to the growth of the real estate sector.

Additionally, the Housing Program under Vision 2030 aims to increase homeownership rates to 70 per cent by 2030. Cityscape Global facilitates this goal by providing a platform for Saudi developers to showcase their projects, allowing consumers to purchase properties onsite.

Overall, the theme ‘The Future of Living’ encapsulates the kingdom’s aspirations for a sustainable, prosperous urban landscape.

By fostering collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing, Cityscape Global aims to significantly contribute to these objectives, helping to realise the vision for a vibrant and inclusive future in Saudi Arabia.

The event boasts seven conferences and expanded knowledge programmes. Can you outline some key topics and speakers attendees can expect in 2024? 

The event’s extensive knowledge programme, featuring seven specialised conferences and over 500 speakers, will delve into a variety of topics relevant to the future of living.

Attendees can expect insights into smart cities, sustainable construction, urban planning, real estate investment, and emerging technologies. This year’s edition will also debut the Stadiums and Mega Events conference, which is extremely exciting, considering Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Renowned experts from around the world will share their expertise and discuss the latest trends and innovations shaping the industry. Highlighting the event’s global reach, nearly two-thirds of Cityscape Global’s exhibitors will be international including companies like Regal London, CITIC, Hyde Park Developments and many more. 

A dedicated Sports and Mega Events Zone is a new addition. How does the team aim to use the dedicated Sports and Mega Zone Day to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s sports infrastructure development plans?

The newly introduced Sports and Mega Events Zone at Cityscape Global 2024 underscores Saudi Arabia’s bold vision for sports infrastructure development. This four-day focus will highlight the kingdom’s plans, such as constructing new stadiums and world-class sports facilities, which are instrumental in urban transformation.

Major international names have already shown interest, signalling that sports and mega-events are becoming crucial for economic growth in Saudi Arabia. These sports development sessions will emphasize the broader potential of sports and entertainment in driving urban development, boosting tourism, and fostering social cohesion.

The dedicated day will provide a platform for investors, developers, and industry leaders to explore the opportunities and challenges in sports infrastructure development, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global sports hub

What are some of the real estate market trends you have witnessed in the kingdom?

The Saudi Arabian real estate market is experiencing a period of rapid growth and transformation, driven by a few notable trends.

There’s a significant rise in demand for luxury properties, primarily fuelled by a growing affluent population. As the economy diversifies, more individuals seek high-end residences with premium amenities and exclusive locations, reflecting elevated lifestyle expectations.

Another significant trend is the growing interest in mixed-use developments. These projects combine residential, commercial, and retail spaces, creating vibrant and self-sufficient communities. Mixed-use developments offer a convenient and desirable lifestyle for residents, while also boosting economic activity and attracting investment. Moreover, there is a growing emphasis on green building practices and sustainability.

How will Cityscape Global showcase advancements in smart city solutions and technology-driven planning?

Cityscape Global is a major platform for highlighting how smart city solutions and technology can revolutionize urban environments. Many of our exhibitors are at the forefront of this movement, showcasing innovations that directly contribute to creating the cities of tomorrow.

The event will feature The Future of Living Summit again this edition, where prominent international thought leaders will discuss long-term strategies for city development, particularly how emerging technologies will reshape cities in the coming decades. Additionally, the Smart Cities Conference will focus on intelligent infrastructure, data-driven urban planning, and sustainable technologies from experts around the world.

The Tech Zone will also provide insights into innovations such as AI-driven urban management tools and energy-efficient infrastructure systems, advancements which are essential for building smart cities.

Looking beyond the event itself, how does Cityscape Global contribute to the long-term development of sustainable and future-proof cities within Saudi Arabia?

Cityscape Global has consistently been a driving force in shaping the real estate landscape, playing a vital role in promoting innovation, collaboration, and investment. The event acts as a catalyst for fostering global partnerships and bringing together industry leaders and decision-makers to address the evolving needs of modern cities.

The 2023 edition alone attracted over 160,000 attendees and 13,000 investors and featured all Saudi giga-projects under one roof.

These projects are cornerstones of Vision 2030 and demonstrate the Kingdom’s ambition to lead in sustainable urban development.

Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographic location provides a unique advantage for industry leaders and decision-makers looking to forge connections with global stakeholders. The insights shared at Cityscape Global create a lasting impact by fostering international connections that can lead to long-term partnerships and the development of new projects.

How is Cityscape Global attracting global city experts to Riyadh? What can they expect to learn at the event?

Cityscape Global 2024 offers a comprehensive platform for international city experts that addresses the future of urban development, real estate, and infrastructure. As we experience the largest wave of urbanisation in history, cities face new challenges related to infrastructure, shifting lifestyles, demographic changes, and sustainability.

The event provides an ideal space to explore these challenges, with a strong focus on B2B connections and investment opportunities.

This edition features seven specialised conferences, where attendees will gain insights into the latest developments in smart infrastructure, sustainable urban solutions, and groundbreaking projects, such as Saudi Arabia’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup in 2034, and the 2029 Asian Winter Games.

Cityscape Global is set to hear from a host of international industry heavyweights, including Dan Epstein, the former director of Legacy and Sustainability for the London Olympics; Navid Hanif, who is assistant secretary general of the United Nations; Enrique Peñalosa, the former Mayor of Bogotá and one of the world’s 100 most influential urbanists; James Ehrlich, the director of compassionate sustainability at Stanford University; and Amira Ayoub, the World Green Building Council’s head of MENA.

This event goes beyond learning. It offers a unique opportunity for experts to connect with key players in the industry, fostering collaboration and partnerships that are crucial for addressing the complex demands of future urban growth.

What features set Cityscape Global apart from its global competitors?

Cityscape Global 2024 stands out from other real estate events due to its scale and global ambition. With Saudi’s growth plans, the event has expanded its programme this year to keep up with the global demand for modernisation. They will include new sector profiles, such as the Financial Sector, Tech Zone, Architecture & Design Sector and Stadiums Zone making it a more diverse and well-rounded event.

What truly sets Cityscape Global apart is its forward-looking global perspective, combined with significant investment power and a strong focus on B2B connections. With more than 400  exhibitors and 500 speakers from around the world, the event tackles the industry’s most pressing themes.

Moreover, Cityscape Global serves as a strategic platform for driving deals and fostering long-term global partnerships among developers, investors, and government entities. Last year alone, the event facilitated over $30bn in announced deals, and for 2024 we’ve expanded the tailored investor programme that attracts global investors managing over $1tn in assets.

Additionally, the event is closely aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, highlighting major giga-projects that highlight the kingdom’s global ambitions in sustainable living, sports and tourism. This unique combination of factors contributes to Cityscape Global’s unmatched influence in large-scale investment opportunities.

Cityscape Global 2024 will be held from November 11-14 at the Exhibition and Convention Center, Malham, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.