Saudi Arabia's ambitious giga projects took center stage at the inaugural Global Stratalogues roundtable event held in Dubai last month (October 11 to 16), sparking discussions on how cutting-edge design and artificial intelligence (AI) are shaping a new era of accessibility and inclusion in urban development.
The series of high-level, closed-door roundtables featured influential industry leaders focusing on the potential of technology and design to enhance the user experience by improving accessibility in the built environment. Discussions covered ethics, design, policy, and practical applications, revealing profound shifts in attitudes toward integrating AI to enable more inclusive societies.
The opening roundtable highlighted Saudi Arabia's giga projects as leading the way in creating futuristic, sustainable cities. A key component is the prioritisation of accessibility and inclusivity.
The panellists pointed out that accessibility is a core component of making sure that projects provide the right experience and design for accessibility should take into account all people of ages and physical abilities.
As cities grow and new urban projects take shape, the need for accessible design is more important than ever. Dr Talal Alharbi, an accessibility expert for giga projects, stressed that accessibility is not just about meeting regulatory requirements, but creating environments where all people, including those with disabilities, can navigate independently. "Accessibility is for all. When you design an accessible environment, everyone benefits. Even in a building, people will choose a smooth ramp over stairs," he said.
For Dr Alharbi, accessibility is fundamental to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to create inclusive cities for all, regardless of physical ability. “We are thinking about accessibility and inclusion not just for visitors but for employees and everyone involved in Vision 2030. Accessibility is no longer a choice. It’s an integral part of our vision.”
The importance of incorporating accessibility early in the design process was also highlighted. "We start thinking about accessibility from the very early pre-concept, concept and design stage. When we engage consultants early, we find that they can sort out issues and deliver what we’re looking for," noted Dr Alharbi.
Integrating best practices
Oscar Wendel, Chairman of the Global Stratalogues, opened the discussion by reflecting on the scale and ambition of Saudi Arabia’s giga projects, comparing them to Dubai's monumental achievements. However, these projects also require thoughtful planning for long-term sustainability and inclusivity. Wendel noted: “When designing ambitious projects that have never been done before, you have to take your thinking beyond the codes.”
Aaron McDaid, Middle East Leader at Design Confidence, a leading building regulatory and engineering services consultant to the construction industry, echoed that while codes and standards provide a foundation, true innovation in accessibility comes from considering users' specific needs. “When designing ambitious projects, it is all about understanding the regional challenges and the fact that we have many diverse nationalities and cultures.”
According to McDaid, a key advantage of Saudi Arabia's giga projects is that they are being built from scratch. This presents a unique opportunity to integrate accessibility rather than retrofitting buildings later. “The giga projects allow for this to be embedded into the design philosophy,” he explained. ”This forward-thinking approach ensures compliance and enhances the overall experience for all users, particularly those with disabilities.”
Dr Alharbi explained how accessible design creates societal and economic benefits. "Studies show that accessible buildings have more visitors and better economic returns than those that are not accessible. If you start thinking about accessibility from the blueprint, it costs nothing, but retrofitting later can be very expensive."
Addressing cultural and social barriers
Despite these promising developments, cultural and societal barriers still exist. Dr Alharbi pointed out that in some parts of the region, there is still a stigma associated with disability, which can hinder progress toward true inclusivity. "There is a cultural issue when it comes to disability in our region. Often, families hide their disabled members, thinking it will affect their reputation. To create real change, people with disabilities need to be visible and part of the community."
However, he also noted that awareness is growing, along with decision-makers’ willingness to support accessibility initiatives and shift the narrative around accessibility in the region.
Importance of regulation and enforcement
A major theme throughout the discussion was the role of regulation in ensuring that accessibility remains a priority in urban development. McDaid discussed how regulatory regimes can enforce accessibility standards: Regulatory approvals have pushed the level of compliance higher. For example, in projects like Expo 2020, best practice guidelines were developed by studying various international standards, which were applied not only across the event’s public realm but also numerous pavilions, he stated.
However, enforcing these regulations remains a challenge. Dr Alharbi highlighted the shortage of accessibility consultants in the region. More experts need to be trained, especially as current consultants often lack the necessary expertise to address all aspects of accessibility.
Holistic approach to accessibility
A key takeaway from the roundtable was the need for a holistic approach to accessibility and considering the overall user experience, from transportation to the building itself. "It is about keeping a couple of different solutions to try to achieve the ultimate goal," McDaid said. For example, ensuring that parking for people with disabilities is close to the entrance or that public areas are shaded to mitigate the region’s high temperatures are small details that can significantly enhance the overall user experience.
Furthermore, the inclusion of people with disabilities in the design process itself is critical. As Dr Alharbi pointed out: “If you hire people with disabilities, you will start to think about accessibility.”
Building cities for the future
As Saudi Arabia continues with its giga projects, accessibility and inclusion must remain at the forefront of the conversation. By incorporating best practices from around the world and thinking beyond compliance, these new developments have the potential to set a global standard for inclusive urban design.
Peter Stephenson, Director at Hydrock, multidisciplinary engineering design consultancy, noted: “The whole key is the user experience. It is critical for the branding of giga projects.” By ensuring that cities are accessible to all, Saudi Arabia is not only fulfilling its Vision 2030, but also creating spaces that will stand as a testament to human achievement for generations to come, he added
Global Stratalogues fosters industry collaboration and knowledge-sharing through a series of forums and roundtable discussions.The platform hosts events like the Accessibility Design Roundtables, which gather experts from diverse fields - including real estate, architecture, finance, and corporate leadership - to address pressing issues in accessible design and inclusive spaces. The forum highlights challenges, and explore innovative solutions for creating inclusive environments by engaging leaders in meaningful conversations to drive progress toward more accessible and equitable urban spaces globally.-TradeArabia News Service.
