Saudi Neighborhoods Add More Parks and Playgrounds

Public parks, playgrounds and sports fields are becoming a standard feature of residential neighborhoods across Saudi Arabia, as national urban planning rules push for more family-friendly recreational spaces close to homes.

Under urban planning regulations set by the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, new residential neighborhoods must include public open space — parks, playgrounds, walkways and sports fields. Playgrounds are allocated for roughly every 20 residential blocks, with minimum neighborhood open-space areas of about 5,000 m² and a target of around 5 m² of open space

Through the Quality of Life Program, the number of public playgrounds nationwide rose to about 5,515 by 2024, integrated within parks and residential areas to support family recreation. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing also reported the development of about 6 million m² of public parks across the country's regions in the three years up to the end of 2025, delivered through investment partnerships with the private sector.

What it means for residents

In the capital, Riyadh Municipality's 2026 updated urban planning requirements mandate parks, green spaces and public-space elements such as open areas and urban furniture within approved residential layouts, encouraging playgrounds and sports fields near housing. National guidelines updated for 2025–2026 set out spatial and safety conditions — covering location, area, compatible activities and signage — for many park-based recreational facilities.

Investors can access land-lease opportunities for parks, playgrounds and sports facilities through the municipal investment opportunity portal tied to municipal licensing. For residents, service requests and complaints about neighborhood facilities — including maintenance, safety, lighting and cleanliness — can be raised through the municipal 940 system, which includes the unified call center (940), the national number 199040 and designated WhatsApp numbers, with integration into the Balady platform for digital municipal services such as park-use permits and site approvals.

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