Expo 2030 Riyadh Appoints Buro Happold to Lead Master Plan Development

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: The Expo 2030 Riyadh Company has appointed Buro Happold as the lead consultant to develop the comprehensive master plan for Expo 2030 Riyadh. The contract covers infrastructure design, landscaping, key facilities and site-wide engineering, marking a major milestone in advancing one of the Kingdom’s most ambitious global events.

The partnership underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to delivering an Expo of unprecedented scale while ensuring a long-term sustainable legacy for the capital.

A Master Plan Designed for Legacy, Sustainability and Innovation

Under the agreement, Buro Happold will develop an integrated master plan that aligns with the Expo’s strategic goals while embedding sustainable urban development principles across the 2030 site. The consultancy will lead infrastructure planning, utilities, mobility systems, public-realm design and landscape architecture, in addition to providing technical and engineering oversight throughout construction.

The master plan is being designed not only to support the Expo’s six-month operational requirements but to create a flexible, future-ready destination capable of serving Riyadh’s long-term growth beyond 2031.

A Mega-Destination Set to Welcome 42 Million Visitors

Expo 2030 Riyadh is expected to host 197 participating countries and attract more than 42 million visitors across a site spanning nearly six million square meters. Positioned as a global platform for dialogue and innovation, the event will showcase solutions to shared global challenges, reinforcing the Kingdom’s rapidly growing influence in international cooperation and sustainable development.

The Expo will run from October 1, 2030 to March 31, 2031 on a purpose-built site in North Riyadh measuring approximately 2 million square meters. The project aligns closely with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transformation agenda.

A Vision Anchored in “Foresight For Tomorrow”

Expo 2030 Riyadh will revolve around the theme “Foresight For Tomorrow,” bringing together nations, institutions and innovators to explore the intersections of technology, culture and sustainability.

Visitors will experience immersive exhibitions, national pavilions, live shows and interactive installations across sectors including AI, 5G communications, renewable energy, healthcare, mobility and advanced manufacturing.

The Expo’s sub-themes, transformational technology, sustainable solutions and prosperous people, highlight the Kingdom’s ambition to shape a more resilient and inclusive global future.

Smart Infrastructure and Climate-Responsive Urban Design

The master plan incorporates advanced smart infrastructure, powered by AI-driven systems, digital mobility planning and renewable energy integration. Climate-responsive architectural strategies will prioritise shading, natural ventilation and green building principles to reduce heat impact and enhance visitor comfort.

The Expo’s design strategy emphasises lasting value: public spaces, infrastructure and facilities are being conceived to serve the capital long after the event concludes, transforming the site into a new urban district that supports business, culture and community life.

A Long-Term Catalyst for Riyadh’s Urban Transformation

Expo 2030 Riyadh is expected to strengthen the city’s position as a global centre for culture, commerce and innovation. The development complements major urban projects emerging across the capital, reinforcing Riyadh’s trajectory as one of the world’s fastest-growing cities under Vision 2030.

The event’s scale, ambition and integration with national transformation programs position it as a defining chapter in Saudi Arabia’s modernisation, combining heritage, cutting-edge technology and sustainable urban design in one of the region’s most significant real estate and infrastructure undertakings.