Cityscape Global 2026 puts liveable communities at the center of Saudi Arabia's real estate agenda

JLL research says buyers across Saudi Arabia's major cities are favoring amenity-rich communities that blend value and lifestyle, a shift that will shape Cityscape Global 2026 in Riyadh. The November event will spotlight mixed-use, people-centered development as major Saudi projects and international architects gather to discuss the future of urban living.

Why it matters: - Saudi Arabia's real estate market is shifting from scale to liveability, with buyer demand increasingly tied to amenities, connectivity and everyday quality of life. - The trend has implications for how major projects are planned, financed and marketed across Riyadh, Jeddah, Mekkah, Medinah and the Dammam Metropolitan Area. - Cityscape Global 2026 is positioning liveability as a core theme for developers, architects and investors.

What happened: - JLL's Q1 2026 Saudi Arabia Living Market Dynamics research found buyers are prioritizing cost-effective, amenity-rich communities that balance value with lifestyle. - New Murabba will return as a Foundation Partner for Cityscape Global 2026. - Cityscape Global 2026 will take place Nov. 16-19, 2026, at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre in Malham, Saudi Arabia.

The details: - ROSHN Group, Diriyah Company, RUA AlHaram AlMakki, New Murabba, MASAR, Rua Al Madinah and KAFD are among the major Saudi developments combining multiple uses within connected districts. - The conference agenda will emphasize placemaking, transit-oriented development and human-centric infrastructure through the Future of Living Summit and DnA (Developers & Architects) Stage. - Speakers will include Shobi Khan of Canary Wharf Group, Pierre-Yves Guice of Paris La Défense, David Twohig of MurrayTwohig and former chief development officer of Battersea Power Station, and Anouk Kuitenbrouwer of KCAP. - Mauricio Rodas, former mayor of Quito, said liveability is experienced at street level through mobility, access to amenities, public space and a sense of connection. - International architecture firms exhibiting and sponsoring include Populous, Gerber Architekten International Projects, Bayrak + Partners and Design International. - Tahaluf executive vice president Rachel Sturgess said Saudi Arabia's real estate opportunity is increasingly defined by the quality of places being created, not only the scale of development.

Between the lines: - The event reflects a broader market reset in Saudi real estate, where mixed-use districts and neighborhood design are becoming competitive advantages. - The speaker lineup signals that global urbanism and architecture expertise is being pulled into Saudi Arabia's development pipeline as consumer expectations rise. - New Murabba's return as a Foundation Partner suggests developers see Cityscape as a key venue for investment partnerships and joint ventures.

What's next: - Cityscape Global 2026 will bring together developers, investors, architects, consultants and government entities in Riyadh to advance project partnerships and urban design priorities. - The event is expected to showcase new investment opportunities tied to Riyadh's modern downtown and other major Saudi developments. - Tahaluf says the 2026 edition will continue its role as a platform for shaping the future of urban living and investment. - More information is available on the event website and Tahaluf's website.

The bottom line: - Saudi Arabia's next phase of real estate competition is being defined less by size alone and more by whether new communities feel livable, connected and worth paying for.