Nov 5, 2023
What are smart cities?
Smart cities in Riyadh aim to utilize modern technology and innovative solutions to enhance the quality of life, promote sustainability, and optimize the use of available resources. Smart cities rely on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to provide innovative solutions in various sectors, such as transportation, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and education.
Riyadh Smart City Initiatives:
Since the beginning of 2022, Riyadh Region Municipality has announced the launch of eight initiatives as part of the Riyadh Smart City project, aimed at digital development to enhance the city's international competitiveness. This is in line with Riyadh's Vision 2030 for smart cities. Also, Riyadh has achieved the fourth global rank in the field of technology and its applications among 190 countries worldwide. These initiatives aim to develop a comprehensive modernization by deploying communication and information services and applying them within Saudi society, supporting the transition to a digital economy and a knowledge-based society in order to provide advanced and smart infrastructure in all fields, where services and appropriate content are efficiently and electronically available.
Riyadh Digital Transformation initiative:
This initiative refers to the efforts made by the private sector and the government to apply digital technology in various aspects of life in Riyadh. The aim of this initiative is to enhance the technological capabilities of the Riyadh Municipality, increase its efficiency and quality, and facilitate social, commercial, and governmental services through the use of digital technologies.
Aspects of digital transformation that can be mentioned include:
Riyadh E-Government Services: This refers to the conversion of government services into an electronic system with the aim of making them more accessible to citizens and residents of the city..
There are several initiatives and technological applications that help achieve this goal, including:
● E-Government: The Riyadh e-government provides online government services, allowing citizens and residents to easily complete transactions, such as ID renewal and work permits at any time.
● Smart Applications: The government provides various dedicated applications for government services, such as electronic payment applications and direct communication applications with government entities.
● E-gates: These gates serve as a central interface for accessing government information and services, making it easier for citizens to find the desired information and services efficiently.
Riyadh Smart Transportation Solutions: Aiming at improving the public transportation and reducing traffic jam, here are some solutions being implemented:
● Smart Transportation Applications: These smartphone applications provide real-time schedules for buses, metro, trains, and other public transportation means. They also offer electronic payment options for tickets, along with allowing users to submit their complaints, comments and to provide their feedback.
● Smart Buses: Buses are equipped with modern technologies, such as GPS and tracking systems, making it easier for users to know bus schedules and their respective stops.
● Car sharing: Encouraging carpooling through ride-sharing applications and boosting the use of smart cars aim to reduce the number of cars used and their emission, thus decreasing their negative effect on the environment.
● Public Bike Network: A public bike network has been developed in Riyadh, allowing users to rent smart bikes from designated stations and use them as a means of transportation.
Digital Healthcare: This term refers to the use of technology to improve and facilitate the delivery of healthcare services in an innovative and efficient manner.
Digital healthcare involves several aspects, including:
● Electronic Health Records: These records allow the secure recording, storing, and sharing of patients' health information, enabling quick and convenient access to it when needed.
● Telemedicine: Telemedicine enables online communication with healthcare providers through dedicated applications for consultations, diagnoses, treatment of minor illnesses, and non-urgent conditions. Communication can be conducted via voice, video, or text messages.
● Health Apps: These apps contribute to promoting health awareness and public health. They provide a range of diverse services, such as health monitoring and medication management.
Riyadh Smart Energy Management: It is a part of the digital transformation and a component of Riyadh Smart Infrastructure. It aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact associated with energy consumption. Smart energy management utilizes technology and data to monitor and analyze energy consumption and apply effective measures for performance improvement through:
● Riyadh Smart Grid Systems: These grids utilize smart control and monitoring systems to enhance electricity distribution and manage the electrical network more efficiently and intelligently.
● Smart Meters: These meters provide accurate measurements of energy consumption and continuously transmit the data. They are connected to the electrical grid, allowing consumers and service providers to monitor consumption and analyze the data for better decision-making in energy management.
● Smart Load Management: These systems monitor and control the energy consumption of household and commercial appliances. They enable intelligent regulation of usage to achieve energy savings and alleviate congestion in energy demand.
Riyadh Smart Environmental Sustainability Initiatives:
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud launched the Riyadh Sustainability Strategy on October 23, 2021, with the aim of transforming Riyadh into one of the most sustainable cities worldwide. This strategy includes more than 68 initiatives divided into six sectors, which are:
Natural Resource Management: This sector includes a number of initiatives, including:
● Protection and development of natural life areas.
● Protection and regulation of agricultural land use.
● Vegetation restoration in Riyadh region.
● Conservation of protected areas in Wadi Hanifa.
● Environmental rehabilitation of Wadi Al-Sulai, Wadi Hanifa, and their rivers.
Waste Management: Waste is a significant environmental issue that affects almost every society. In Riyadh, several initiatives have been organized to address waste management, including:
● Regulating waste disposal in public areas.
● Managing construction and excavation waste.
● Handling hazardous industrial waste.
● Managing Asbestos materials.
Environmental Management and Sustainable Development: This sector includes numerous initiatives due to its significant importance. Here are a few examples:
● Regulating and controlling unplanned activities in Riyadh.
● Applying environmental compliance standards for power generating stations.
● Applying environmental sustainability standards and measuring their indicators.
● Conducting environmental impact assessments for projects.
Climate Change: This sector is supported by initiatives aimed at energy consumption optimization. Additionally, there is an initiative to assess the impacts of climate change on Riyadh and a study of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
Air Quality: Air quality is being prioritized through the following measures:
● Monitoring emissions from power generating stations.
● Controlling and treating sources of air pollution.
● Studying the health effects of air pollutants.
Water and Soil Resources: Water and soil resources are given significant attention, and several initiatives have been dedicated to their management. The key initiatives include:
● Utilizing surface water and rainwater.
● Controlling groundwater levels.
● Reusing treated wastewater.
● Managing and treating sewage water.
● Preserving and maintaining drinking water sources and its quality.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Smart City Initiatives
In smart city initiatives, it is undeniable that artificial intelligence (AI) plays a crucial role. Smart cities, by their nature, rely on information and communication technology to improve the quality of life and provide the best services to their citizens. AI has previously been used in public supervision to monitor visual distortions through aerial photography, and to tackle the improper disposal of construction waste in neighborhoods. AI can be utilized in various sectors, such as smart traffic management and intelligent medical diagnosis, where the analyses it performs can be beneficial in various fields.
Finally, there is a dedicated and continuous effort to transform Riyadh into a smart city by the year 2030. Riyadh Municipality has taken initiatives to increase the number of beneficiaries from its electronic services by 53%. Additionally, it has worked towards supporting urban development in the city by applying data-driven investment models, such as launching the "Ideas Platform" for residents. This ongoing effort demonstrates Riyadh as a leading example locally, regionally, and globally in keeping up with development and utilizing contemporary technology in a positive manner across all aspects of life, aiming to elevate cities towards a better future.
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October 28, 2026
Al Rahmaniyah district Riyadh sits in the north of the capital at Exit 10, within the Al Muath municipality area, and ranks 13th out of 177 residential districts in Riyadh by median price per square metre, according to Ministry of Justice transactions published through the Raghdan platform.
That rank says one thing clearly and hides another: the district is expensive, but it has few transactions, so any figure you read rests on a small number of deals. This guide shows the numbers together with their limits.
It covers the district's location and boundaries, the exit, price per metre against neighbouring districts, apartments and villas, schools, hospitals and hotels, a rating of the district, and Mada Properties projects you can use as a yardstick.
The district is ringed by four main roads and upscale neighbours:
Al Takhassusi Street is among its best-known internal streets.
Al Rahmaniyah is at Exit 10 in Riyadh, with fast access to the city's main routes because the district sits between major roads on all four sides.
The median residential price is SAR 10,293 per square metre, calculated on residential deals in the last 24 months (latest deal 25 September 2025), from Ministry of Justice data shown by Raghdan (updated 7 August 2026).
Against neighbours on the same platform: Al Sahafa SAR 12,691, Hittin 10,536, Al Olaya 10,364, Al Rahmaniyah 10,293, Al Malqa 9,000 and An Narjis 8,478.
The limits matter. The district recorded 14 residential deals in 24 months and 321 deals since 2020, which ranks its trading activity 126th of 177. Treat the figure as an indicator of level, not the price of a specific property.
The median size of recent residential deals is about 450 m², so deals lean towards larger plots and villas rather than small units.
Apartments, floors and townhouses are available for sale and rent. Compare any unit's price per metre with the district median (SAR 10,293) and with neighbouring districts.
Villas tend to sit on large plots, which is what the median size reflects.
Commercial property is 8% of deals and includes offices and shops for long-term investment.
There is no official district rating, so we read it from four angles:
It suits people who will live there for years or invest long term and accept lower liquidity for a settled location. It does not suit someone who needs a quick sale or a low entry price.
Mada Properties does not currently list a project inside Al Rahmaniyah, but these five available projects work as a yardstick for any offer you see in the district.
Thuraya Tower is in Al Olaya, with one- to three-bedroom apartments from Wathba for Investment. It is the closest price comparison, since the median in Al Olaya is SAR 10,364 per metre. Prices start from SAR 1.9 million, with handover expected in Q3 2028.
Rayah Tower in Al Sahafa is developed by Jiwar Al Arabia and has 48 apartments and penthouses on a 900 m² plot, with two lifts and a maid's room. Its page shows the licence number (485) and the Wafi permit. Prices start from SAR 1,785,000, with handover expected in Q4 2028. Al Sahafa is pricier than Al Rahmaniyah, at SAR 12,691 per metre.
Summit Tower is in Al Sahafa, developed by Summit for Real Estate Development and Investment, with one- and two-bedroom apartments from SAR 995,000 and handover expected in Q2 2028, the lowest price on this list.
For a ready villa, Amaas 21 Villa offers villas for sale by Amaas Real Estate Development in central Riyadh, according to its page, from SAR 1,950,000.
For commercial property, Al Adwan Tower offers 122 flexible office units in Al Nakheel near the King Abdullah Financial District, from SAR 1.9 million, with handover expected in Q4 2027.
See all available projects on Mada Properties' projects page.
Mada Properties is a professional real estate broker, not a developer, so we start from your goal, not from a project we own. In a district with few deals like Al Rahmaniyah, a broker who reads the market, not just the averages, adds real value. Contact us to compare what you see in the district with what is available today.
Al Rahmaniyah district Riyadh combines a strong location at Exit 10 with a high price and limited liquidity. That suits buyers who plan to stay, not those who plan to sell quickly. Before any decision, compare the price per metre you are offered with the district's common range (SAR 8,266 to 12,063) and ask for recent comparable deals.
October 26, 2026
Mada Properties has won five awards at the Saudi Arabia Property Awards 2026-2027, the Saudi categories of the Arabian Property Awards presented in association with CNBC Arabia, each carrying a five-star rating.
The five awards cover the real estate agency, property consultancy, real estate marketing and the agency website. They extend a record that began in the 2023-2024 season with a single category and has grown in every season since.
This article explains what the awards are, how they are judged, what each of the five awards recognises, and how to verify any real estate company's awards before you rely on them.
The Saudi Arabia Property Awards are the Saudi categories of the Arabian Property Awards, which are part of the International Property Awards run by International Property Media in the UK. The awards recognise excellence in real estate, development, architecture, interior design and marketing, in both the residential and commercial sectors, with a focus on service, sustainability, originality and creativity.
The organiser announced a category named "Saudi Arabia Property Awards" and described it as the first global real estate award named after the Kingdom. Entrants apply at national level, a panel of experts judges the entries, and winners are invited to the awards ceremony and may use the award logo in their marketing. That is why Mada's trophies carry the words "Saudi Arabia" after each category name. Top winners in each region then go forward to the international awards.
All five trophies carry the Arabian Property Awards mark, the words "in association with CNBC Arabia", a five-star rating and the 2026-2027 season.
This category is for real estate agencies running between two and four offices. Mada publishes four office addresses in Riyadh: As Sahafah, Al Aridh, Al Rimal and Olaya Street.
A category that combines brokerage and advice. It matches what Mada does when it compares the options on the market and recommends districts and projects according to the client's goal, which is the role of a property consultancy.
This award covers the marketing of a real estate agency. Mada states in its articles that its marketing rests on reading the market, analysing data and reaching the right client.
The marketing category for agencies and advisory firms.
This one concerns the agency's website. Mada's site brings together projects, districts and articles, and a mobile app carries the same content.
See the record of earlier awards on Mada's Awards & Recognition page.
The organiser states that the awards are judged by an independent panel of more than 100 industry experts, chaired by members of the UK House of Lords. Judging focuses on:
The path to an award has five steps:
The 2026 Arabia Property Awards celebration takes place on 5 November 2026 in the House of Lords, London, as a private event for a select number of award-winning companies, according to the event website.
According to Mada's Awards & Recognition page and blog:
The pattern is clear: from one category to five in four seasons. But every season is judged separately, so an earlier award does not replace a look at the current one. For a wider reading of what these awards mean for an investor, see our article on Mada's award success story.
There is no official list that names the best real estate agency in Saudi Arabia, and awards are one signal among several. Whether you want a top real estate consultancy or a brokerage, ask:
A real estate agency handles brokerage and client service from advice to closing, while real estate marketing focuses on reaching clients and showing a project's value. That is why the awards separate the agency category from the marketing category, and Mada won both this season.
Choose an agency that works as a broker, not a developer: it compares projects for you instead of promoting its own.
Mada won two marketing categories this season. From the client's point of view, good marketing shows up in three ways:
We explain our approach in our guide to the best real estate agency in Saudi Arabia.
Many companies display award logos. Checking one takes minutes:
An award assesses a company's performance, while licensing is a legal requirement to operate. A five-star award and a brokerage licence are different things: the first goes to those who excel, the second is something nobody can operate without.
Check the broker's Fal licence, and the licence of the listing, with the Real Estate General Authority before any payment, then look at the awards.
Mada Properties is a professional real estate broker, not a developer, so we start from your goal, not from a project we own. We read the market, compare the options on Mada's projects page and stay with you to closing. The five awards recognise that approach, but they do not replace checking for yourself. Contact us and we will recommend what suits your budget and goal.
The Saudi Arabia Property Awards give clients an independent signal they can verify, provided you read it as it is: a category, a season and a level. Mada Properties holds five five-star awards in 2026-2027, but a good property decision starts with the licence, passes through comparison and is settled with numbers.
October 21, 2026
Cityscape 2026 Riyadh runs from 16 to 19 November at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center (Malham), bringing developers, investors, banks and real estate decision-makers together for four days of project launches and deal-making.
The 2025 edition alone announced real estate deals worth SAR 237 billion in four days. That is why Cityscape is no longer only for developers: individual buyers and small investors now attend to see opening prices and payment plans before they reach the open market.
This guide covers what visitors look for most: the Cityscape 2026 date and venue, the exhibitor list, projects and offers, tickets and registration, how to get there, and how to prepare.
Cityscape 2026 Riyadh is the 2026 edition of Cityscape Global, which its organisers describe as the world's most attended real estate exhibition. It is organised by Tahaluf in partnership with the Real Estate General Authority (REGA), and this year's slogan is "The Capital of Real Estate".
The show in numbers:
It arrives months after Saudi Arabia's non-Saudi property ownership law took effect on 22 January 2026, which widened interest from abroad.
The Cityscape 2026 date is Monday 16 to Thursday 19 November 2026. Doors open to visitors from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm every day.
The venue is the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center (Malham) in north Riyadh, about 30 km from King Khalid International Airport according to the organisers. Visitors often call it "Cityscape Malham".
The official exhibitor list is published on the Cityscape Global website and updates until the show opens. Confirmed so far:
Do not rely on the list alone: new launches may be announced during the show, so follow the show's and developers' channels across the four days.
The official ticket page describes mortgage solutions, ownership options and payment plans offered directly by developers and banks. In practice, Cityscape projects and offers come in three forms:
At the 2025 opening, Minister Majed Al-Hogail said real estate loans to individuals and companies reached about SAR 961 billion by Q2 2025 and citizen home ownership passed 65% at end-2024.
A show offer is not always the cheapest price in the market. Ask before you book:
Cityscape Riyadh 2026 offers three ticket categories: General, Business, and VIP. Each pass provides different benefits to suit visitors' needs, from exploring the exhibition to enjoying exclusive networking opportunities and premium hospitality services.
The General Pass is available free for a limited time, reduced from SAR 100. The offer ends on 15 November 2026. Benefits include:
The Business Pass costs SAR 2,438, including 15% VAT, reduced from SAR 3,000. It includes all General Pass benefits, plus:
The VIP Pass costs SAR 9,377, including 15% VAT, reduced from SAR 11,253. It offers a premium event experience with exclusive benefits, including:
The right ticket depends on your goals and budget. The General Pass is ideal for visitors exploring real estate opportunities, while the Business Pass suits professionals seeking networking opportunities and business services. The VIP Pass is designed for visitors who prefer exclusive access and premium hospitality.
Note: Ticket prices, promotional offers, and availability may change. Check the official Cityscape Riyadh 2026 ticketing page before registering.
To register: open the official ticket page or register by WhatsApp, choose a pass, enter your details exactly as on your ID (the pass is linked to your badge), pay by credit card if the pass is paid, then wait for the confirmation and badge emails. Each participant gets one pass only, fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, and accommodation and meals are not included.
The 2025 edition announced SAR 237 billion in deals over four days, including SAR 161.2 billion in the first two days. It also reported a 166,000 m² site (double 2023), 42 countries represented including 15 new ones, USD 6.1 trillion of real estate and infrastructure assets under management, 350+ investment meetings and 164,000+ attendees from 120+ countries.
Mada Properties is a professional real estate broker, not a developer, so we show you options as they stand in the whole market, not as a single developer presents them. Around a show, when offers and quick bookings pile up, a neutral broker compares launches with similar projects outside the show, checks the project's legal status and stays with you to closing. Contact us to compare what you see at the show with what is available today.
Cityscape 2026 Riyadh is the biggest chance this year to see the Saudi property market in one place: what will be launched, at what price and on what payment plan. It rewards visitors who arrive with a plan. Set your goal and budget before 16 November, register early, ask for every offer in writing and compare before you book.