“Smart Cities” for Sustainable Development in Saudi Arabia ​

​1. Background

ㆍSaudi Arabia was facing urban challenges such as transport and crime and disaster prevention issues produced by rapid urbanization.

ㆍInterest in “smart cities”was deepening in Saudi Arabia and the national and local authorities in the nation demonstrated a strong will to develop smart cities in the nation. 

2. Purpose

ㆍ To reach “sustainable development,”the long-term goal of the nation’s Ninth Development Plan 

ㆍTo help overcome urban challenges by making Saudi Arabian cities smarter 

3. Project Description

This study contained the followings: 

ㆍ an assessment of the needs for smart cities—based on the long-term vision and reviews on sectoral schemes such as ICT, transport, urban development, social safety schemes of the Ninth Development Plan

ㆍ identification of actual needs for smart cities—by analyzing urban challenges in major Saudi Arabian cities including Riyadh

ㆍapplication of the practices of other countries to major cities in Saudi Arabia with specific action plans 

ㆍ framework design for the smart city pilot project under the consultation with Saudi Arabian authorities.

4. Impacts and Benefits 

ㆍThe pilot smart city project proposed by KRIHS contributed to help tackle urban challenges in Saudi Arabia.

ㆍImplications derived from Korea’s National Land Development Plan and Smart City, one of the Plan’s action plans, offered advice to minimize errors in implementing a smart city project in Saudi Arabia.