His Highness Prince Dr. Abdulaziz bin Ayaf honored three teams from the Department of Architecture at the College of Architecture and Design at the university for their participation in the Urban Design Studio for Humanizing Residential Neighborhoods initiative. They were among 15 winners in the four categories of the award. The competition saw the participation of over 200 students and was held in fruitful collaboration with the Quality of Life Program. The event concluded with an exhibition at King Saud University, attended by several officials, academics, and researchers. The ceremony ended with the opening of the accompanying exhibition, which showcased the most prominent works of the participants.
The award aims to enhance research innovation in the field of urban humanization. It also aims to revitalize the centers of residential neighborhoods in Riyadh and provide innovative solutions that align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The initiative seeks to utilize the energy and capabilities available at universities interested in architecture, emphasizing their leading role in supporting exceptional research and urban projects that aim to improve urban life quality. It also promotes the concept of sustainable mobility towards a more humane and innovative future for city development, aligning urban planning efforts in Riyadh with academic curricula. The goal is to develop the knowledge aspect of urban humanity, enhance life quality in Saudi cities, and create an academic and cultural movement that garners attention and support from relevant authorities, producing a generation of architects and planners responsible for improving life quality in residential neighborhoods.
The three teams from the Department of Architecture at the College of Architecture and Design presented a model approach to city design and applying humanization principles. The challenges of the initiative included enhancing social interaction, supporting sustainability, and integrating cultural and local identity into designs. The projects demonstrated a harmonious balance between mixed-use development, accessibility, green spaces, and sustainable infrastructure, reflecting a deep understanding of urban issues.
The winning teams were supervised by Dr. Jane Handal, Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture, Dr. Majd Al-Homood, Professor in the Department of Architecture, and Dr. Rasha Mousa, Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture. Their excellent supervision played a central role in guiding the teams with their expertise in urban design, fostering innovation, and contributing to the preparation of a new generation of architects capable of improving urban life quality.
The first winning team consisted of Rahaf Al-Adwan, the second team included Adeem Al-Nasser, Reema Al-Khalifi, Dana Abu Swairah, and Ruwa Al-Ribh, while the third team was composed of Reem Al-Saleh and Latifa Al-Sheikh.
This achievement is a testament to the strength of collaboration and the impact of combining academic knowledge with real-world challenges, inspiring future architects to rethink urban spaces for a better tomorrow.