The High Commission for the Development of Riyadh (HCDR) has recently approved a series of construction and service facilities for its two new urban centers in the eastern and northern parts of the city.
The Northern Urban Center, covering an area of 205 sq km, is located 20 km north of Riyadh beginning from the intersection of King Fahd Road with the Northern Ring Road.
The center is composed of a number of road networks and housing projects, among other schemes.
The Northern Urban Center will include Prince Salman Park in Bunyan and the Durrat Al-Riyadh Project in addition to Prince Sultan Humanitarian City. The Ministry of Housing is now conducting studies on the construction of a housing project west of King Khalid International Airport to accommodate 7,130 housing units.
The Ministry of Transport also finalized the study on the implementation of a two-way Bunyan Road within the district at the northern section of the third ring road for Riyadh.
The Bunyan Road is extending from its intersection with King Khalid Road (Salboukh) up to Qasim Road.
Key features of the northern center are to include an area allocated for industries related to science and technology, research and support facilities in addition to a housing plan and proper distribution of services for local residents as well as an effective public transportation system and integrated systems for open areas.
The Eastern Urban Center, covering 214 square km, is located 20 km from the intersection of the Eastern Ring Road with the Northern Ring Road. It includes a number of road networks and public utility services such as electricity and water. Other services owned by the Ministry of Interior are being implemented in the western part of the district.
The road project in the Eastern Urban Center includes the construction of two bridges on the Riyadh-Dammam Road and rerouting of road paths in the center. Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and the National Water Company (NWC) will ensure both urban centers have electricity and water infrastructure.
The key features of the Eastern Urban Center are to include stores and industrial services in the northeastern part of the center near the Riyadh-Dammam Railway line. It will also feature government departments, banks, company branches and major shopping areas.
HCDR’s approval for setting up the two urban centers is to help cope with the expected increase in Riyadh’s population. This step also aims to create job opportunities and to enhance the contribution of the private sector to the development process.