Saudi Arabia is moving to craft a new national urban policy in partnership with United Nations agencies, marking a significant step in reshaping how its cities expand, manage resources and respond to population growth under Vision 2030.The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has confirmed that it is working alongside the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme to develop a comprehensive framework intended to guide urban development across the Kingdom. Officials say the policy will align spatial planning, housing, infrastructure and environmental priorities with broader economic transformation goals.
Urban growth has accelerated across Saudi Arabia over the past two decades, with more than 80 per cent of the population now living in cities. Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Makkah have expanded rapidly, while new megaprojects such as NEOM and the Red Sea development are redefining the scale and ambition of urban planning. Policymakers have argued that a unified national urban policy is needed to coordinate development, manage land use and improve liveability standards.
The ministry has stated that the partnership with the UN bodies will support technical assessments, data analysis and stakeholder consultations across regions. The objective is to establish a long-term policy anchored in sustainable development principles, climate resilience and balanced regional growth. The framework is expected to consider housing affordability, mobility systems, public space design, environmental protection and digital infrastructure.
Officials familiar with the initiative say the process will involve reviewing existing municipal regulations, identifying gaps in planning mechanisms and harmonising urban governance structures. Saudi Arabia’s urban expansion has historically been shaped by oil-driven economic cycles, leading to periods of rapid construction and suburban sprawl. Analysts note that the absence of an overarching urban strategy has sometimes resulted in uneven service provision and car-dependent development patterns.
UN-Habitat has been working with Gulf governments on sustainable urbanisation for more than a decade, promoting compact city models, transit-oriented development and improved land management systems. The agency’s expertise in urban policy frameworks has been applied in countries ranging from Morocco to Indonesia. In Saudi Arabia’s case, the emphasis is likely to include strengthening institutional coordination between national and municipal authorities.
The UN Development Programme, meanwhile, has supported governance reform, digital transformation and sustainability initiatives across the region. Its involvement signals an intention to embed the policy within broader development objectives, including economic diversification and environmental commitments. Saudi Arabia has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2060 and has launched the Saudi Green Initiative, which includes targets for afforestation and emissions reduction. Urban planning will be central to achieving those goals.
Riyadh’s population alone is projected to exceed 10 million by the end of the decade. The capital has undergone extensive redevelopment, including the King Salman Park project and the Riyadh Metro network, which is designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve public transport usage. Authorities view such projects as components of a broader shift towards more integrated and sustainable urban environments.
Housing remains a key policy priority. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has pursued programmes to increase home ownership rates among citizens, with targets exceeding 70 per cent under Vision 2030. Expanding affordable housing supply while managing land prices and infrastructure costs poses a continuing challenge. A national urban policy could provide a clearer framework for aligning housing strategies with land use planning and transport networks.
Experts argue that climate adaptation will also shape the policy’s direction. Saudi cities face extreme heat, water scarcity and rising energy demand. Urban design solutions such as shaded walkways, energy-efficient building codes and improved water management systems are increasingly discussed in planning circles. Integrating such measures at a national level could enhance resilience while supporting economic growth.
Regional disparities are another focus. While major metropolitan areas attract investment and infrastructure, smaller cities and rural regions often lag behind. Policymakers have indicated that balanced territorial development is central to the forthcoming policy, aiming to stimulate economic activity beyond the largest urban centres. This approach aligns with Vision 2030’s objective of diversifying economic opportunities across provinces.
International observers note that national urban policies are encouraged under the UN’s New Urban Agenda, adopted in 2016 to promote sustainable urbanisation worldwide. Countries implementing such frameworks typically seek to coordinate land, housing and infrastructure policies under a unified strategy. Saudi Arabia’s collaboration with UN agencies reflects this global trend while adapting it to local conditions.
Business leaders and urban planners in the Kingdom have welcomed the move, saying a coherent national framework could improve regulatory clarity and attract long-term investment. Clearer zoning rules, transparent land allocation processes and predictable planning standards are viewed as essential for private sector participation in housing and infrastructure projects.
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