Karsa CityLab participated in a series of discussions, forums, and urban exploration sessions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, hosted by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC)—the strategic authority leading Riyadh’s planning and urban transformation as part of the country’s Saudi Vision 2030.
The visit began with a discussion alongside the Urban Consulting team at Indexa, a consulting firm actively involved in shaping urban development strategies and transformation initiatives across Saudi Arabia. The conversation focused on how cities can strengthen their competitiveness, cultivate a distinct urban identity, improve livability, and enhance resilience amid rapid global change. Participants also explored Riyadh’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a globally connected city that is attractive to talent and investment while maintaining its reputation as a leading destination for international business.
The program continued with participation in the Riyadh Competitiveness Forum (RCF), bringing together policymakers, urban experts, business leaders, and cross-sector stakeholders to exchange perspectives on the future of cities.
The forum forms part of the establishment of the Riyadh Competitiveness Centre, an initiative that develops a comprehensive city competitiveness framework encompassing governance, mobility, the business environment, quality of life, future readiness, and sustainability. Anies Baswedan, Founder of Karsa CityLab, participated as a member of the Advisory Council, contributing insights on fostering sustainable mobility habits and developing integrated public transportation systems as key drivers of modern urban transformation.
During the discussions, Jakarta was recognized as one of the cities that has demonstrated significant progress in building a more integrated public transportation system. Its experience in strengthening multimodal integration, expanding first- and last-mile connectivity, and embedding public transport into urban development strategies served as valuable references for conversations on mobility transformation in rapidly growing cities. Jakarta’s achievement as the recipient of the Sustainable Transport Award 2021 was also highlighted as an example of successful urban mobility innovation.
Through its participation in global forums such as the Riyadh Competitiveness Forum, Karsa CityLab reaffirms its commitment to strengthening international partnerships and fostering knowledge exchange with leading cities around the world. These collaborations aim to contribute to the development of more livable, resilient, and competitive cities that place the well-being of their residents at the center of urban transformation.
