Riyadh is preparing a city-wide cooling project designed to lower temperatures across streets, public spaces, and urban districts. The plan includes cooler road materials, more shade, additional green spaces, and water features that could reduce temperatures by up to 15°C in selected areas. Pilot projects are expected to begin once planning and approvals are completed.
Riyadh is tackling one of its biggest summer challenges
Anyone who has spent time in Riyadh during summer knows the heat does not stop when the sun goes down. Roads stay warm for hours, buildings continue releasing heat, and even a short evening walk can feel uncomfortable.
That is exactly the problem Saudi Arabia is now trying to address.
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has announced plans for a major cooling strategy aimed at reducing heat across the capital. The project is designed to tackle rising temperatures and improve outdoor comfort for residents, visitors, and workers who spend time outdoors throughout the year.
As Riyadh continues to grow, city planners are looking at ways to make public spaces more usable, especially during the hottest months.
Why does Riyadh feel hotter than the weather forecast suggests?
The answer lies in the city itself.
Large urban areas are filled with roads, pavements, concrete structures, glass buildings, and other surfaces that absorb heat throughout the day. Instead of cooling down quickly after sunset, these materials continue releasing heat well into the night.
This creates what is known as the urban heat island effect, where cities feel noticeably hotter than surrounding areas.
In a fast-growing city like Riyadh, the impact can be significant. New developments, expanding infrastructure, and dense urban districts can all contribute to higher temperatures at street level.
For residents, that often means spending less time outdoors during summer and relying more heavily on air-conditioned spaces.
How does Saudi Arabia plan to cool the city?
Rather than focusing on a single solution, Riyadh’s strategy combines several practical measures designed to reduce heat naturally.
Among the ideas currently being studied are:
- Special road surfaces that absorb less heat
- More shaded walkways and public areas
- Additional green spaces and landscaping
- Water channels and cooling water features
- Evaporation ponds that help lower the surrounding temperatures
- Urban design improvements that improve airflow
The goal is to cool streets and public spaces while making the city more comfortable for pedestrians.
Five pilot locations are expected to test different cooling methods before they are introduced on a larger scale across Riyadh.
If successful, residents could notice cooler walking routes, more pleasant public spaces, and reduced heat around buildings and roads.
Who is working on the Riyadh cooling project?
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has appointed Greek consultancy PLANET to help develop the city’s long-term cooling strategy.
The consultancy will identify the areas most affected by heat, study potential cooling solutions, and create a roadmap for implementation.
While the full cost of the project has not yet been announced, officials see the initiative as part of a broader effort to improve the quality of life across the Saudi capital.
The project also supports Saudi Arabia’s wider sustainability goals and ongoing investment in urban development.
Could projects like this benefit cities in the UAE?
The announcement is likely to attract attention across the Gulf, particularly in the UAE.
Cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Al Ain experience similar summer conditions, with temperatures regularly climbing above 40°C during the hottest months.
Over the years, UAE authorities have invested heavily in green spaces, shaded walkways, sustainable developments, and climate-focused urban planning.
Dubai residents have already seen an increase in tree planting initiatives, public parks, cycling tracks, and pedestrian-friendly projects designed to improve outdoor living.
While Riyadh’s cooling project is unique in scale, many of its ideas align with efforts already taking place across the UAE.
For residents, the concept is easy to understand. Cooler streets, more shade, and better-designed public spaces can make a significant difference during long summers.
When could the cooling project start?
The initiative is currently in its planning stage, with studies and assessments still underway.
Pilot projects are expected to move forward once approvals are completed. If timelines remain on track, some cooling measures could begin appearing in selected locations as early as next year.
The initial test areas will help determine which solutions are most effective before the programme expands to other parts of the city.
For now, many residents are watching closely to see whether the ambitious plans can deliver the promised results.
Why is this project getting so much attention?
What makes the Riyadh Cooling Project stand out is its scale.
Many cities around the world are investing in parks, trees, and sustainability programmes. Riyadh is looking at something much broader — changing how entire districts manage and reduce heat.
The project is not only about comfort. Extreme temperatures affect daily life, energy consumption, outdoor activity, and public health.
If the initiative succeeds, it could become a model for other cities facing similar climate challenges, particularly across the Middle East.
For residents, however, the biggest benefit is much simpler: a cooler city that feels more comfortable to live in during summer.
FAQ
Q: What is the Riyadh Cooling Project?
A: It is a city-wide initiative designed to reduce temperatures across roads, buildings, and public spaces using cooler materials, shade, green spaces, and water-based cooling solutions.
Q: How much cooler could Riyadh become?
A: Authorities say temperatures in certain locations could be reduced by up to 15°C through a combination of cooling measures.
Q: Who is leading the project?
A: The Royal Commission for Riyadh City is overseeing the initiative, with consultancy firm PLANET helping develop the strategy.
Q: When will the project begin?
A: The project is currently in the planning phase. Pilot locations could begin implementing cooling measures after approvals are completed.
Q: Could similar projects happen in the UAE?
A: Many of the ideas being explored in Riyadh are already being considered in cities across the UAE through sustainability, urban planning, and public space improvement initiatives.
Riyadh’s ambitious cooling project shows how cities are beginning to rethink life in extreme heat. By focusing on roads, buildings, public spaces, and urban design, Saudi Arabia hopes to create a more comfortable environment for residents while preparing the city for future growth.
If successful, the initiative could reshape how major cities across the Gulf approach summer temperatures and outdoor living.
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