Diriyah deploys outdoor cooling tech against Riyadh’s blazing heat

Saudi Arabia’s flagship gigaproject Diriyah Gate is rolling out outdoor air-conditioning and a suite of other cooling measures to keep its public spaces near 28 C (82 F) during Riyadh’s searing summer months.

The scheme pairs high-tech systems with reflective materials, extensive tree planting and traditional architectural techniques, while aligning with the kingdom’s wider shift toward renewable energy, Arabian Gulf Business Insights reports.

As Saudi Arabia’s mega-projects drive up power demand, solar generation and district cooling are set to underpin efforts to deliver more sustainable infrastructure.

With a target of 50 million annual visitors by 2030, Diriyah sees large-scale climate control as critical to ensuring year-round footfall.