Diriyah Achieves Sustainability Milestone at Cityscape Global

Diriyah Company has achieved a significant milestone by earning two Mostadam (Ajwad) certifications for sustainability. These prestigious awards, granted by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, align with Saudi Arabia's Quality of Life Program and the ambitious Vision 2030. The recognition celebrates the company’s outstanding contributions to sustainable development for its Northern Diriyah Area and the Ritz-Carlton Residences projects. This announcement was made during the inaugural day of the “The Future of Living” event at the Cityscape Global real estate exhibition in Riyadh, held from November 11–14.

Sustainability Standards Under the Ajwad Initiative

The Mostadam certification is a benchmark for sustainable residential and community developments. It evaluates projects based on their adherence to sustainability standards such as increasing green spaces, enhancing pedestrian and cycling pathways, and reducing water waste through recycling initiatives. These measures aim to improve the quality of life for residents. Through the Ajwad initiative, 74 projects have been registered to date, including five from Diriyah. Of these, two projects have already secured certifications:

- Diriyah North (Masterplan certification – Diamond Level)

- The Ritz-Carlton Residences (Asset certification – Gold Level)

Three additional Diriyah projects are slated for certification in 2024.

Diriyah North’s Sustainability Achievements

Diriyah North received an impressive 86 points on the Mostadam certification scale, earning the coveted Diamond Level certification—the highest possible under the program. This achievement underscores Diriyah’s steadfast dedication to sustainability and improving the community's quality of life. Notable accomplishments of Diriyah North include:

- Meeting 100% of irrigation needs through Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE).

- Providing 46% shaded walkways for pedestrians.

- Allocating 25% of the area to parks and open spaces.

These initiatives reflect Diriyah’s proactive approach to sustainable urban planning, with additional districts set to apply for Mostadam Diamond certification in the near future.

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, said: “The Diriyah project is fully committed to sustainability. These latest accreditations are a significant endorsement of our dedication to employing the highest standards of environmental protection in construction and design, enabling us to deliver a brand-new concept in urban development with a unique people-first urban regeneration project for everyone to enjoy.”

Recognition for Ongoing Commitment to Sustainability

This latest recognition builds on a series of sustainability accolades previously awarded to Diriyah. In 2023, the company’s first phase of the Diriyah Masterplan earned LEED Platinum certification, making it the first Middle Eastern project to achieve this distinction at the masterplan level. Other notable achievements include:

> SITES Gold precertification for the Wadi Safar masterplan—the first of its kind in the region.

> Parksmart GOLD precertification for Bujairi Car Park and Samhan Car Park in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

These certifications highlight Diriyah’s leadership in implementing innovative sustainability practices and solidifying its role as a pioneer in sustainable development.