In an effort to create a green circular economy, Saudi Arabia’s new smart and sustainable city, AlNama, in the capital of Riyadh is planned to provide 11,000 residential units for a population of 44,000 and will create 10,000 jobs in green tech industries.
SAUDI ARABIA’S ZERO-CARBON CITY
Derived from the Arabic word meaning thrive, AlNama by Dubai-based masterplanner URB is expected to be a self-sufficient, zero-carbon city that will produce all the city’s renewable energy needs.
“The masterplan was primarily designed using passive design techniques such as orientation, density and form which require the least financial investment yet provides the highest environment gains the city of the future will use state-of-the-art technology and active strategies to provide the highest standards of living through its smart city grid,” said the architects on its website.
In addition, the city will be built to attract ecotourists and medical tourists, in addition to providing an ecosystem for urban-tech companies related to food, energy, water, waste, mobility and building materials.
CEO of URB, Baharash Bagherian said: “ALNAMA aims to be the next generation of self-sufficient city, producing all the city’s renewable energy needs, as well as the resident’s caloric food intake on site. Biosaline agriculture, productive gardens, wadis and carbon-rich habitats are key features of the development’s innovative & resilient landscape design.”
KSA’S EDUCATIONAL LIVEABLE AND CAR-FREE CITY
Designed to provide a variety of spaces and activities that promote social interaction and sustainability, AlNama city has been designed as a multifunctional terrestrial network promoting biodiversity whilst helping to also create a cooler environment. Designed to maximise the greenspace ratio whilst creating a liveable & car-free city, the city has touted itself as an edutainment attraction.
“The utility park is also a key educational tool for children, which is adjacent to the educational hub. The park will also feature state-of-the-art technologies in urban-tech that address the critical food-energy-water nexus,” revealed the architects.
In addition, the masterplanner’s revealed that eco-friendly glamping lodges, eco resorts and nature conservation centre will be key components of the hospitality hub, which will promote ecotourism.
Project facts:
• 10 KM2
• 100% renewable energy
• 100% water recycling
• Car-free city
• 37km dedicated running & cycling tracks
• Autism village & rehabilitation centre
• Zero-waste city
• Green spine wraps the entire city with an integrated network of biophilic systems
• Scalable farms with high tech biosaline agricultural, energy, water and waste solutions
• Primary and secondary walking networks are well shaded and connected with other modes of green transport