Smart City as Urban Innovation: A Case of Riyadh North-West District

Abstract

Saudi Arabia has recently adopted and implemented an enduring strategy of development that shifts its focal point towards the formulation of knowledge based society. In the same context, KSU (King Saud University), in Riyadh has initiated the project of the Riyadh Techno Valley (RTV), within its campus. The projects aims to strengthen its efforts, in order to develop knowledge based society in Saudi Arabia. KSU as a core of the NorthWest district of Riyadh had an initiative by adopting a comprehensive idea of Riyadh Knowledge Corridor (RKC) in Prince Turki Alawal Road area. KSU has started to take an active role in setting up new Riyadh's Smart City node (Smart Riyadh-NWD). The focal point of it is the Riyadh Techno Valley (RTV) project, which is expected to play a central anchored role with other developments in this district such as King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, information technology and communication complex, Saudi Standards, King-Abdulaziz-and-his-Companions-foundation-for-Giftedness-and-Creativity, and king Abdullah financial center. This research study will assesses Riyadh Techno Valley, which will help in reflecting several issues and principals towards the evolution of the NorthWest district in Riyadh as Smart city.