URB, a global leader in developing sustainable cities, has launched a zero-carbon destination Alnama Smart City in Riyadh. The city will promote sustainable living in a 10 km2 community with various hubs including residential, educational, commercial, tourism and medical.
Derived from the Arabic word “thrive”, URB, which is headquartered in Dubai, has masterminded the planned city, which is expected to provide 11,000 residential units for a population of 44,000 people.
The 1,000 hectare Alnama Smart City development will create 10,000 jobs in various sectors including green-tech industries to create a green circular economy for the city.
The project is expected to provide the highest standards of social, environmental & economic sustainability. Various hubs will transform the city into a unique destination as well as an attraction for eco-tourists and medical tourists. The green-tech hub will provide an innovative ecosystem for urban-tech companies related to food, energy, water, waste, mobility & building materials.
Alnama – the next generation of self-sufficient cities
Baharash Bagherian, CEO of URB, has masterminded designs of various sustainable cities including recently launched projects such as The Sustainable City in Yiti, The Sustainable City Yas Island, Nexgen Sustainable City and many more yet to be revealed, explains Alnama as the next evolution in smart cities.
“Alnama aims to be the next generation of self-sufficient city, producing all the city’s renewable energy needs, as well as the resident’s caloric food intake on site. Biosaline agriculture, productive gardens, wadis and carbon-rich habitats are key features of the development’s innovative & resilient landscape design. The city was planned through the design of its landscape, rather than its buildings. This creates an urbanism that is more socially inclusive, more economically valuable, and more sensitive to the environment.”
Eco-friendly glamping lodges, eco-resorts as well as a nature conservation centre are key components of the hospitality hub, which will promote ecotourism. An autism village, wellness centre & clinics within the medical hub will promote medical tourism.
Ultimately the city will become a work, live and visit destination where people, the planet and profit can thrive in balance. It will become a new benchmark model for all future cities to be planned to promote greener economies that centre around food, water, energy and waste.