Client: DQDA
Location: Riyadh, Diplomatic Quarter (DQ), Saudi Arabia
Services Provided: Master Planning, Urban Design & Wayfinding
Total Area: 2 KM
Starting Date: 2019
Completion Date: 2021
Construction Cost: N/A
Challenge
The DQ Commercial Spine needed a revitalization strategy that would enhance connectivity, pedestrian experience, and cultural engagement, while preserving its Salmani architectural character. The challenge was to transform a 1.8 km boulevard into a dynamic, walkable destination that harmonizes tradition with modernity, fostering an active public realm that engages locals and international visitors alike.
Approach
DAO’s master plan introduced a multi-layered urban intervention that redefined the pedestrian spine as an immersive cultural and social corridor. The approach was rooted in facade enhancements, wayfinding integration, and thematic zoning to enhance user experience while staying true to the Salmani urban ethos.
The commercial spine was reimagined as a seamless pedestrian connector, linking the East to West and North to South of the DQ. The landscape strategy incorporated seasonal adaptability, creating social nodes that encourage public engagement through art, commerce, and cultural exchange.
The spine was thoughtfully segmented into distinct experience zones:
Zone 1: A lively bazaar and antique market, with an adjacent international cuisine garden offering weekly markets.
Zone 2: A contemporary urban hub featuring Al-Kindi Plaza, modern art installations, intellectual cafés, and fashion outlets.
Zone 3: The cultural heart around Oud Square, integrating cafés, an outdoor cinema, and vibrant graffiti art, fostering a fusion of local and international artistic expressions.
Impact
The DQ Commercial Spine has evolved into a vibrant cultural and commercial artery, where heritage meets modern urban living. By enhancing pedestrian accessibility, integrating wayfinding, and activating social spaces, the project has transformed Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter into an internationally recognized urban landmark, celebrating Saudi Arabia’s rich architectural heritage and contemporary vision.
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