7 Reasons Why Riyadh will be the place to visit in 2029

1. A City Reinventing Itself

Riyadh is undergoing one of the most ambitious urban transformations in modern history under Saudi Vision 2030. By 2029:

• The city’s population will surpass 10 million, supported by sustainable transport, smart infrastructure, and green spaces.
• Flagship projects like King Salman Park Foundation, Diriyah Company l شركة الدرعية, Riyadh Metro, and Sports Boulevard Foundation will be fully operational — making the capital both livable and inspiring.
• The city will be reimagined as a global gateway between East and West, balancing innovation with authenticity.

🚄 2. Seamless Connectivity & Hospitality

Riyadh will be among the most accessible and visitor-friendly cities in the Middle East:

• King Salman International Airport Development Company, opening before 2029, will handle 120 million passengers annually — positioning Riyadh as a global travel hub. Riyadh Air | طيران الرياض ans Saudia Technic will connect almost 200 countries
• The Riyadh Metro, one of the largest public transport projects in the world, will ensure zero-stress movement across the city.
• World-class hotels, convention centres, and entertainment venues — including Boulevard World and Boulevard city, Six Flags Qiddiya City and Aquarabia Qiddiya City will redefine event hosting.

🌍 3. Global Events Capital

By 2029, Riyadh will have hosted — or be ready to host — the world’s most prestigious gatherings:

• Expo 2030 Riyadh preparations will be in full swing.
• The city’s experience in hosting major sporting, cultural, and medical congresses will have matured.
• For professionals in orthotics and prosthetics, Riyadh will offer a world-class congress infrastructure at venues like RICEC (Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center), supported by digital systems and hospitality excellence.

🕌 4. Heritage Meets Modernity

Few capitals combine thousand-year-old heritage with futuristic ambition as powerfully as Riyadh:

• The Diriyah Gate development will open as a UNESCO World Heritage destination celebrating Saudi roots.
• Traditional Najdi architecture and cuisine will thrive alongside cutting-edge design and art districts.
• Visitors in 2029 will experience both the soul of Arabia and the spirit of a forward-looking, inclusive Saudi Arabia.

💡 5. Innovation, Research & Health Leadership

Riyadh is rapidly emerging as a regional hub for healthcare innovation, medical education, and rehabilitation research:

• King Salman Center for Disability Research, KSCDR, King Saud University, Prince Sultan University, Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City (SBAHC) will anchor advanced care and prosthetic innovation.
• Vision 2030’s Health Sector Transformation Program will ensure digital health, AI, and rehabilitation technologies are integrated into patient care in partnership with @health Holding Company
• For the global O&P community, Riyadh in 2029 will represent the intersection of science, access, and compassion — a place where technology serves humanity.

🌿 6. A Green and Sustainable Capital

Riyadh is investing over $23 billion in greening initiatives, including:

• 7.5 million trees and the Riyadh Green Initiative, which will make it one of the world’s most sustainable desert cities.
• Cleaner air, cooler streets, and massive renewable energy integration — redefining the environmental identity of the Middle East.

🤝 7. The Human Touch

Ultimately, what will make Riyadh amazing in 2029 isn’t just its skyline — it’s its people:

• A new generation of young Saudis—engineers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and entrepreneurs—will be leading global conversations.
• The city’s hospitality, pride, and openness to the world will make every international guest feel at home.
• When delegates walk into Riyadh in 2029, they won’t just see a modern capital — they’ll feel the warmth of a nation welcoming the world.