Cityscape Global 2024

Last week, our CEO and Founding Partner, Helle Søholt, attended Cityscape Global, the world’s largest real estate conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This year’s event spotlighted the Gulf, a region undergoing unprecedented transformation. With large-scale, government-led urbanization projects reshaping vast, previously undeveloped areas, the scale of development is truly remarkable. Helle shares her reflections on the global conference.

Cityscape is known as the largest global real estate conference. It is held in a region with a history of large-scale government-led urbanization projects, transforming vast areas of undeveloped land into urban centers. This is particularly striking in regions that have not historically been densely developed.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the topics we often champion at Gehl — such as human-centered urban transformation, citizen engagement, gender equality, and diversity, equity, and inclusion — taking a central role in many discussions. These themes were especially prominent in the sessions I attended, beginning with a keynote by Sumayah Al-Soliman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission under the Cultural Ministry. She presented the newly released Urban Transformation Manual, which was heavily inspired by our public space and urban design guidelines developed for the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing. Their use of design thinking and aspiration for high-quality architecture and urbanism was both encouraging and aligned with our own approach.

However, I believe there’s room to deepen this approach by incorporating more urban design thinking that prioritizes collective values, stakeholder engagement, and long-term sustainability. Urban design thinking goes beyond developing tangible outcomes — it should prioritize shared values, regenerative practices, and climate-conscious solutions.

One of the standout panels focused on ‘Places of Dialogue’, emphasizing how inclusive design and architecture can represent minorities and foster diversity. Pascale Sablan of NOMA Architects highlighted her global work advocating for women, particularly minority women, in architecture. She discussed projects such as the Abu Dhabi monument featuring a church, synagogue, mosque, and other religious spaces, with a museum underneath — symbolizing the meeting of differences. This panel underscored how public spaces can act as platforms for dialogue, resonating strongly with our work in the region.

Another compelling session featured Eva Kail from Vienna, who presented gender-inclusive urban policies. It was inspiring to see such discussions on inclusive design and women’s leadership taking center stage in the Middle East — reflecting a significant cultural shift.

Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles, and this transformation feels like history in the making.

Such developments are being acknowledged through open discussions on public platforms, adding depth to the region’s evolving urban landscape.

The focus on sports as a tool for fostering quality of life and building new communities was another intriguing highlight. The region’s growing investment in sports, alongside its shift toward diverse economic models, demonstrates how urban environments can integrate health, wellness, and community-building. For instance, initiatives like organizing global football tournaments for women emphasize how sports facilities can evolve into inclusive public spaces that encourage healthier lifestyles and stronger social connections.

The government panel on Saudi’s Vision 2030 was particularly encouraging. Leaders discussed how mega-projects could build vibrant communities while leveraging smart technologies and urban data. These discussions signaled an ambition to incorporate innovation and inclusivity from the outset of urban development. However, I observed gaps in planning sustainable transport systems and public transit in some projects, which highlights opportunities for improvement.

As I explored these mega-projects, I was struck by their sheer scale and rapid development. This pace brings risks, such as low-density sprawl or the potential loss of cultural identity. However, it also presents a unique opportunity to integrate principles of sustainability, connectivity, and vibrant public life into these projects from the start. By embedding sustainable transport, food systems, physical activity, and soft technologies into urban planning, these developments can set a benchmark for healthy, inclusive, and connected communities.

Cityscape Global reaffirmed the importance of aligning urban development with broader societal and environmental goals. As sectors increasingly lean into urbanism and public life, there’s great potential to create holistic and thriving communities that contribute to better economies and a higher quality of life.