Knowledge Economic City Master Plan | Madinah, Kingdom of Saudia Arabia | 2023

Architects: DLR Group
Lead Architect: Shawn Meyers
Client: Knowledge Economic City
Renderings: Courtesy of the Architects

In charting the course for this master plan, Knowledge Economic City (KEC) seeks to achieve urban and cultural goals consistent with Vision 2030 of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and to continue developing Madinah as a destination for visitors, pilgrims, and the community. DLR Group's design underscores the development of a cultural landmark to meet the demands of this diverse influx and stand as a national center for knowledge-based industries. The project is a major mixed-use development in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah city, offering residents and visitors a distinguished lifestyle marked by integrated services and a high quality of life.   

Multi-modal hubs, intricately designed for seamless connectivity to the neighborhood, concentrate services and opportunities to foster community building and convenience. Strategically located as the gateway to Madinah, the plan strongly emphasizes holistic transportation access, seamlessly connecting the town center by air, train, and road. This not only enhances the convenience for visitors but positions the town as a central hub for knowledge industries, fostering investment and knowledge-based economic development. Placemaking is integral to our strategy, with the public realm providing a pleasant living environment for the KEC community and acting as a catalyst for transformative change that informs future growth.

The program is planned to be exemplary in sustainable economic growth and diversification for other KSA cities and countries in the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC). They envision connecting the site through gardens and continuous pedestrian paths, establishing an uninterrupted cycling and walkable network, encapsulating in KEC's role as A New Transit Oriented City that the Traditional Characteristics of Madinah inspire.  

The overall mixed-use project is approximately 6.8 million square meters. Located just 6 km from the Prophet's Mosque and easily accessible from the Al Haramain High-speed Train Station, the development's shopping and entertainment center includes a series of glass-covered atria and streets containing shops, restaurants, cafes, a cinema, family entertainment centers, and a wellness clinic. A vibrant, open-air restaurant boulevard provides a pedestrianized, family-friendly dining experience and a central park will provide spaces for events and relaxation, shops, restaurants, and cafés.

The overall Knowledge Economic City encompasses a diverse offering for its residents and visitors, spanning across Hospitality, Residential, Commercial, and Business sectors whilst also catering to educational and Knowledge-based sectors across the development. DLR Group provided architecture and master planning services.