The past two years have been transformational in Riyadh’s history; the kingdom’s ambitions outlined under Saudi Vision 2030 have begun to take root as the Saudi capital gears up to cater to an expected doubling of its population and provide the right ingredients to create one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Work on what is described as the world’s largest single-phase metro construction project is nearing completion in Riyadh with operations due to commence by the end of this year. The $27-billion Riyadh Metro and Bus project was originally conceptualised for development over 25 years.

A unique development centred around the jewel of Saudi Arabia, At-Turaif, the country’s Unesco World Heritage site, is set to take shape in the Riyadh region some 15 minutes northwest of the centre of the capital.

Saudi-based Qiddiya Investment Company announced last month that Jack Nicklaus – the globally renowned golf course designer and the greatest champion in the game’s history with a record 18 major championships to his name – will be designing his first-ever golf course in Saudi Arabia, which will be built in Qiddiya city.

Saudi-based King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) has received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ND Stage 2 Platinum certification, thus becoming the largest mixed-use financial centre in the world to secure this accreditation from the leading global authority for green building.

Qanbar Dywidag Precast Concrete Company (QDC), one of the largest precast concrete manufacturers in Saudi Arabia, is keenly eyeing the promising Riyadh market, with a view to addressing the requirements of the mega projects taking shape in the Saudi capital.