Saudi Arabia Wants to Cool Riyadh Streets by 15°C
Scope includes a 12-month study, new road surfacing materials, open water channels, evaporation ponds and expanded green cover; costs have not been disclosed.
Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch an urban cooling project in Riyadh aimed at reducing temperatures on roads, building walls and other urban surfaces by up to 15°C. The plan targets surface temperature reductions between 8°C and 15°C and is expected to begin implementation next year, pending the completion of studies and final approvals. Cost estimates have not been disclosed yet.
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City appointed the Greek consulting firm PLANET as lead consultant. The company said it has been selected to support a strategic initiative to address urban heat in one of the world’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. PLANET’s scope includes developing a comprehensive city cooling strategy, preparing urban planning and construction guidelines, and identifying five pilot areas to test cooling solutions before any wider implementation.
According to the plan, the strategy will target factors that contribute to heat retention, including road paving materials, building facades, open spaces and the materials used around pedestrian walkways. Proposed solutions include the use of innovative road-surfacing materials, open water channels, evaporation ponds and expanded green cover to help reduce temperatures in targeted areas.
The project is expected to complement existing initiatives in Riyadh, including King Salman Park, with a broader focus that extends beyond tree planting to the design and structure of the city. PLANET said the study is scheduled to be completed within 12 months and will provide a framework for understanding the city’s heat challenges and a practical roadmap for reducing them, with pilot zones used to evaluate the effectiveness of measures before any broader rollout.
