King Salman Charter For Architecture And Urbanism Award Goes To Sports Boulevard Foundation

The Sports Boulevard Foundation has been honoured with the King Salman Charter for Architecture and Urbanism Award. This accolade, organised by the Architecture and Design Commission, acknowledges the project's excellence in adhering to the charter's principles through its design code implementation.

Dr. Sumayah Al-Sulaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission, presented the award to Jayne McGivern, CEO of the Sports Boulevard Foundation. The ceremony took place at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. The award celebrates projects that embody the values of the King Salman Charter for Architecture and Urbanism.

The project spans over 135 kilometres and features more than 4.4 million square metres of green spaces. It includes up to 50 multi-disciplinary sports facilities with integrated infrastructure. The design code launched in 2022 emphasises local identity and Salmani architecture for all buildings on Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Road.

Jayne McGivern expressed pride in receiving the award, highlighting the project's achievement in design and application of local identity. She stated, "We are delighted that we have won this award, which reflects the magnitude of the project's achievement through its design and application of local identity and Salmani architecture in all its elements."

The project aims to create a modern and sustainable environment that enhances quality of life. It integrates pedestrian pathways, cycling paths, horse-riding trails, and more. The foundation's commitment to these principles has gained trust from a committee of 30 local and international experts.

Visionary Leadership

McGivern also acknowledged the vision of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in urban development. She thanked their design team and consultants—Foster + Partners, Coen + Partners, and Buro Happold—for their contributions to this success.

The award aims to motivate entities, practitioners, and students to incorporate charter values into their work. It fosters a competitive environment that produces higher levels of urban excellence.

Project Overview

The Sports Boulevard project is designed to transform urban planning in Riyadh. It balances authenticity with modernity through innovative urban outputs. The project is one of Riyadh’s mega projects launched by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

In conclusion, this recognition underscores the importance of integrating local identity into urban development projects while promoting sustainability and enhancing quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

With inputs from SPA