Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Becomes Global Benchmark for Smart and Historic Urban Development
The Diriyah Giga-Project is redefining the concept of a historic city in the age of sustainability and digitization, creating a model where heritage and modern urban living coexist seamlessly.
Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi state and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010, is undergoing a historic transformation that blends cultural preservation with cutting-edge technology. The Diriyah Giga-Project is redefining the concept of a historic city in the age of sustainability and digitization, creating a model where heritage and modern urban living coexist seamlessly.
The project goes beyond restoring historic buildings; it envisions a smart city that integrates advanced technology while maintaining Diriyah’s unique cultural identity. The transformation aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to build a vibrant society, strengthen social infrastructure, and provide modern amenities without compromising national heritage and pride. Schneider Electric plays a central role in this initiative, delivering integrated digital solutions for efficient and sustainable city infrastructure management, supporting the Kingdom’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
Schneider Electric’s AVEVA Unified Operations Center (UOC) forms the backbone of Diriyah’s smart infrastructure. The platform integrates energy, water, lighting, security, traffic, and waste management into a single dashboard, allowing for real-time monitoring and analysis. This system enhances operational efficiency, improves the quality of life for residents and visitors, and enables faster emergency responses. The platform has contributed to a 10–20% reduction in energy use, up to 25% reduction in water loss, a 20% decrease in air pollutants, and a 30% improvement in building efficiency in its first year of operation.
The AVEVA UOC also unifies IT and OT systems, merging SCADA, BMS, and CCTV into one ecosystem. This integration reduces operational complexity by 40% and allows future smart infrastructure to scale by up to 50% without redesign. Cybersecurity measures enhance city protection, lowering risks by 30%, while cloud and hybrid solutions improve operational readiness and reduce costs by 20–25%.
The project demonstrates how digital innovation can support heritage preservation. Buildings dynamically adapt to their environment, and city systems operate cohesively to optimize resources while maintaining the historic character of Diriyah. Schneider Electric’s platform has created an integrated urban ecosystem that balances technology, sustainability, and cultural authenticity.
Today, Diriyah stands as a global benchmark for sustainable smart cities, illustrating how advanced technology and heritage preservation can coexist. The city embodies the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, combining socio-economic progress with the conservation of historical and cultural identity, setting a new standard for smart city development worldwide.
