His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has launched the urban design for the city of Qiddiya and Qiddiya’s brand.

 

A one-of-a-kind destination located on the outskirts of Riyadh, Qiddiya features 60,000 buildings in an overall area of 360 sq km. On completion, it will be home to over 600,000 residents, reported SPA.

 

Located 40 minutes from Riyadh centre and overlooking the stunning cliffs of the formidable Tuwaiq mountains, Qiddiya City will be a home of the first gaming and e-sports district, a speed park track, golf courses, a massive water theme park, and Six Flags Qiddiya.

 

In addition, the city will also host a stadium which will feature the world’s largest Olympic museum.

 

Unveiling the design, Prince Mohammad bin Salman said the city of Qiddiya will become, in the near future, the foremost global destination in the fields of entertainment, sports, and culture. 

 

"This will have a positive impact on the Kingdom's economy and its international standing, enhancing Riyadh's strategic position and contributing to its economic growth. It aims to improve the quality of life, making Riyadh one of the top 10 economies globally," he stated.

 

"This qualitative investment in the city of Qiddiya is a cornerstone of the Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the Kingdom’s economy, creating thousands of job opportunities for the ambitious Saudi youth," he added.

 

Qiddiya philosophy of Play is based on decades of research that has proven that play is a vital element for human cognitive development, emotional expression, social skills, creativity, and physical health. 

 

Studies have also shown the positive effects of recreational activities on society, their ability to bridge differences between individuals, and enhance empathy and social cohesion, said the SPA report.

 

Qiddiya's offering will be Qiddiya City, a one-of-a-kind destination located on the outskirts of Riyadh, that promises endless fun and excitement for its residents and visitors through unrivalled offerings in entertainment, sports, culture, and urban living.

 

Construction is progressing with contracts worth SAR10 billion ($2.6 billion) already awarded, stated the report. 

 

Qiddiya City is expected to create over 325,000 job opportunities, yielding nominal GDP of SAR135 billion ($36 billion) per annum. Additionally, Qiddiya City expects to attract an anticipated 48 million visits per year with its never-built-before array of world-class attractions and venues.

 

Its unparalleled proximity and concentration of sports, culture and entertainment experiences in one place will make it a globally unique destination. Qiddiya plans to launch its first assets over the next two years, it added.