King Salman Park (KSP) is designed to be a 4102-acre public park and urban district. Unveiled in 2019, this project is a key component of public initiatives aimed at enhancing Riyadh's green spaces. Situated on the grounds of the former Riyadh Air Base and covering the majority of the King Abdulaziz District, King Salman Park is the world's largest urban park upon its anticipated completion in 2024. The park's nomenclature pays homage to King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the reigning monarch of Saudi Arabia since 2015, and it has also lent its name to the nearby district of King Salman Neighborhood.
Built on the expansive grounds of the former King Salman Air Base, the park is a colossal endeavor, dwarfing renowned green spaces like London's Hyde Park and New York's Central Park. Its strategic location in north-central Riyadh ensures accessibility, with five stations on the Green Line of the Riyadh Metro and six main roads serving the area. Construction contracts were awarded in 2021, marking significant progress toward realising the vision of creating an urban oasis that seamlessly blends nature, recreation, and cultural experiences for the people of Riyadh and visitors alike.
Announced by the Saudi government in March 2019, the ambitious development of King Salman Park garnered attention for its unprecedented size and comprehensive vision. Saudi architecture and engineering firm Omrania took the lead as the design consultant for the project, collaborating with Danish firm Henning Larsen Architects to craft the master plan. The announcement marked a significant milestone in Riyadh's urban development, setting the stage for the creation of a groundbreaking green space.
The inaugural ceremony on March 14, 2019, witnessed Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar praising the meticulous design of the park. Accentuating small valleys and rocky formations reminiscent of the Najd region, the planners aimed to infuse natural beauty and distinctiveness, setting King Salman Park apart from other urban parks in the city. Construction officially commenced in late 2021, with the King Salman Park Foundation awarding contracts exceeding USD $1 billion.
Project King Salman Park has a high-profile board with the Chairman being Prime Minister H.R.H. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The CEO is George Tanasijevich.
The development of King Salman Park is a collaborative effort led by the Saudi government, with architectural and engineering firm Omrania playing a significant role in the project. Omrania has been named as the lead design consultant for the park, working in collaboration with Danish firm Henning Larsen Architects on the master plan. Basem Alshihabi, the founder and managing partner of Omrania, has been instrumental in shaping the vision and design of King Salman Park.
King Salman Park, an integral component of Riyadh's monumental $23 billion environmentally friendly development plan, is poised to redefine the cityscape with its vast open green spaces, innovative design, and commitment to sustainability. Spanning about 13.4 square kilometers, the park surpasses iconic green spaces globally, including London's Hyde Park and Central Park in New York. The project is a holistic city within itself, fostering sustainable communities, addressing climate change, and generating 70,000 new jobs.
The architectural marvel incorporates 9.3 million square meters of open green spaces distributed across smaller areas and complemented by 300,000 square meters of water features, all interconnected by a 7.2 km circular pathway. Rooted in sustainability, the park aims to revive human-centric urban development, emphasising walking, cycling, and running, and seeks to alleviate Riyadh's reliance on cars.
King Salman Park boasts world-class athletic and sports facilities, including an international-standard 18-hole golf course, a virtual-reality playground, and the Kingdom's first bungee jumping and parachuting center. The Royal Art Complex, a cultural centerpiece, encompasses six museums, water parks, and various artistic attractions. An 80,000 square meter visitors' center, residential units, hotels, and an office complex further enrich the multifaceted experience.
Designed by Omrania, the park aligns with contemporary and future urban needs, creating a harmonious blend with the surrounding urban network. It fosters accessibility, strategically located to ensure a 30-minute reach from anywhere in Riyadh via public transport, including five metro stations.
The park's design prioritises accessibility and features key elements such as a traffic-free loop and a valley leveraging microclimates for a cooler experience. Leveraging technology, King Salman Park aims to pioneer the use of self-driven cars through a groundbreaking pilot project, enabling users to request vehicles, make electronic payments, and navigate the park safely.
Scheduled for completion in phases, the first 5 million square meter phase is set to conclude by the end of 2020, with the entire project expected to be finalised by 2024. Anticipating approximately 400,000 daily visitors, in addition to residents and workers, King Salman Park represents a transformative venture that will redefine Riyadh's nature, embodying the essence of Al-Riyadh: The green land.
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