Riyadh, 9 July 2025 – The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MoMaH), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), has launched a participatory process to develop Saudi Arabia’s first National Urban Policy (NUP)—a strategic framework that will guide sustainable, inclusive, and integrated urban development across the Kingdom. 

The process was officially initiated during a multi-stakeholder workshop held in Riyadh, bringing together over 50 participants from public institutions, private sector entities, civil society organizations, and academia. This consultative gathering marks a critical first step in shaping the direction and priorities of the Kingdom’s urban future. 

Opening the event, H.E. Mr. Khalid Alghimlas, Deputy Minister for Urban Planning and Lands at MoMaH, was joined by Ms. Margaret Jones Williams, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Saudi Arabia, and Ms. Taina Christiansen, UN-Habitat Country Representative. All speakers underscored the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement, institutional coordination, and evidence-based policymaking to ensure that cities across the Kingdom are equipped to meet evolving challenges and opportunities. 
 

Towards a Sustainable and Resilient Urban Future 

The workshop featured technical sessions centered around the NUP’s proposed six thematic pillars: 

• Urban Intensification
• Spatial Balance and Integration
• Livability and Inclusion
• Urban Circularity and Resource Efficiency
• Urban Productivity and Economic Vibrancy
• Interinstitutional and Cross-Sectoral Cooperation 

Participants engaged in collaborative discussions on how these themes can be contextualized for Saudi Arabia, contributing valuable insights and early policy recommendations. The exchange also set the stage for exploring implementation pathways and mechanisms for monitoring progress over time. 

The National Urban Policy aims to serve as a long-term framework for guiding urban planning and development. It will address key issues such as housing, mobility, environmental sustainability, spatial equity, urban governance, and economic competitiveness—ultimately enhancing quality of life and resilience in cities and communities across the Kingdom. 
 

A Strategic National Effort with Global Relevance 

This initiative is part of a broader three-year program led by MoMaH with technical support from UNDP and UN Habitat. The program aims to strengthen spatial planning, build institutional capacity, and promote integrated planning approaches in line with global urban development agendas. 

Saudi Arabia joins more than 80 countries worldwide that are developing or implementing national urban policies, as highlighted in the Global State of National Urban Policy 2024 report by UN-Habitat and the OECD. 

The Riyadh workshop is the first in a planned series of consultations that will continue to engage diverse voices in shaping the NUP. Future sessions will further refine the policy’s direction, ensuring it remains inclusive, adaptable, and aligned with both national development priorities and international standards. 

This collaborative effort represents a milestone in the Kingdom’s journey toward establishing a more cohesive, sustainable, and responsive urban system. 
For more information, email urban.sa@undp.org