Saudi Arabia Unveils First Comprehensive Master Plan for Riyadh’s 2025 Projects

Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh and Chairman of the Infrastructure Projects Center, speaking during the event (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh and Chairman of the Infrastructure Projects Center, speaking during the event (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Saudi Arabia Unveils First Comprehensive Master Plan for Riyadh’s 2025 Projects

Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh and Chairman of the Infrastructure Projects Center, speaking during the event (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh and Chairman of the Infrastructure Projects Center, speaking during the event (Asharq Al-Awsat).

Saudi Arabia has announced its first-ever comprehensive master plan for all infrastructure projects in Riyadh for the upcoming year, with the aim to reduce traffic congestion caused by overlapping projects, optimize spending efficiency, and ensure the sustainability of developments.

Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh and Chairman of the Infrastructure Projects Center, introduced the plan during an event showcasing Riyadh’s detailed infrastructure project roadmap.

Prince Faisal described the initiative as a transformative milestone for the city, as it consolidates upcoming projects into a structured, coordinated system, allowing authorities to identify conflicts, set priorities, reschedule overlapping initiatives, and enforce adherence to project timelines. Additionally, the plan establishes a unified coordination strategy among various stakeholders.

Eng. Fahad Al-Badah, CEO of the Infrastructure Projects Center, called the master plan a model for national cooperation, developed through a comprehensive engineering methodology. The process involved data collection, integration of planning efforts, and collaboration with over 15 government and service entities.

Al-Badah further noted that more than 837 project plans were reviewed and approved, leading to the restructuring of 1,737 project phases and accumulating over 100,000 work hours. The center also conducted over 80 workshops and automated more than 66,000 pre-coordinated permits for 2025.

He credited this achievement to joint efforts with service providers and project developers, supported by a 36-member task force representing key service entities. Additionally, 72 officials have been assigned to ensure rapid responses to any challenges that arise during project execution.

Over the past 50 years, Riyadh has evolved from an emerging city into a global economic hub and a leading investment destination. Its land area has expanded by over 2,000%, and its population has surpassed 7 million.

This rapid growth is reflected in the surge in infrastructure work permits, which have tripled from 50,000 in 2017 to over 150,000 in 2024. “These figures underscore the city’s accelerated urban and economic expansion,” Al-Badah noted.

He emphasized that sustaining this momentum requires adopting global best practices in infrastructure development, aligning with the ambitious goals of Vision 2030.

The master plan is part of broader efforts led by Riyadh’s Infrastructure Projects Center, established by a Cabinet decision in July 2023. The center aims to enhance project efficiency and improve coordination among stakeholders to ensure sustainable, high-quality urban development.



Gold Falls as Investors' Focus Turns to G7 Meeting, Fed Decision

A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
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Gold Falls as Investors' Focus Turns to G7 Meeting, Fed Decision

A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)

Gold fell on Monday as investors weighed the impact of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, while also focusing on the Group of Seven leaders meeting and the Federal Reserve policy decision later this week.

Spot gold fell 0.5% to $3,415.36 an ounce, as of 0854 GMT, after hitting its highest level since April 22 earlier in the session.

US gold futures were down 0.5% to $3,434.50.

"Geopolitical tensions are not disappearing near term, as well rates are likely to be cut further by the central bank, so that should provide a floor to gold," said Giovanni Staunovo, an analyst at UBS.

Iranian missiles struck Israel's Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa before dawn on Monday, killing at least eight people and destroying homes.

The dangers of further escalation loomed over a summit of G7 leaders in Canada, with US President Donald Trump expressing hope on Sunday that a deal could be done but no sign of the fighting abating on the fourth day of the conflict.

There was no sign of panic among investors as currency markets stayed calm and Wall Street stock futures firmed after an early dip.

"Investors will be watching developments in the Middle East very closely, especially the risk of other countries being dragged into the conflict," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.

Gold is considered a safe-haven asset during times of geopolitical and economic uncertainty. It also tends to thrive in a low-interest rate environment.

On the radar this week is the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's comments due on Wednesday. The Fed has held its policy rate in the 4.25%-4.50% range since December.

Elsewhere, spot silver rose 0.3% to $36.41 per ounce, platinum rose 1.2% to $1,242.85, while palladium gained 1.6% to $1,044.40.