SAUDI ARABIA MIXED USE
As Eastern Saudi Arabian cities expand at an unprecedented pace, they face a critical design gap: the absence of historic urban layers and a community-based planning tradition. The Al Khobar Masterplan challenges the region’s default 1960s-style zoning with a bold alternative — one that prioritizes social connectivity, livability, and spatial diversity over rigid density formulas.
The masterplan organizes density around shared green spaces, creating a connected and human-scaled city block.
From Rigid Zoning to Human-Centered Urbanism
The Al Khobar Masterplan replaces rigid, single-use zoning with a flexible urban framework that prioritizes people over plots. The design introduces adaptable mixed-use parcels, walkable streets, and shared public spaces that foster a strong sense of community. Instead of maximizing floor area, it balances density with livability — promoting human-scale neighborhoods, green connections, and climate-responsive design across the site.
A vision of shared urban life—shaded courtyards, local materials, and spaces for gathering.
Shaping the Future of Urban Life in Saudi Arabia
This project goes beyond site boundaries — it proposes a new model for urban development across the Gulf. By replacing outdated zoning codes with a more adaptive, community-driven framework, it introduces a sustainable and inclusive vision for rapidly growing cities. The Al Khobar Masterplan is not just a plan, but a catalyst for rethinking how cities in the region can grow with people — not just infrastructure — at the center.
AL KHOBAR MIXED USE HAS BEEN SELECTED AS THE 2019 ARCHITIZER A+ AWARDS POPULAR CHOICE WINNER!
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Mecca Al-Haram Mosque
