Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City

The Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City (Misk City) is a new mixed-use, large-scale urban development in Riyadh set to become “the world’s first nonprofit city”¹ and a global hub for youth empowerment and innovation². Rooted in the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the project contributes to the goals of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) in supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and qualifying future leaders³. The project is part of the nation’s Vision 2030ⁱ which includes the aim to empower Saudi youth⁴, and promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship⁵.

To implement the project’s vision, a masterplan was proposed over a 3.4 square kilometer site along Riyadh’s Western Ring Road​​, strategically located south of Wadi Hanifa and north of the Irqah neighborhood⁶ and a 20-minute drive from Riyadh downtown. The project’s masterplan combines commercial, educational, cultural, exhibition, hospitality, residential and retail spaces⁷, designed to accommodate 18,000 residents, 25,000 employees⁸, 450 companies⁹, and attract 8 million visitors annually¹⁰.

The masterplan includes the following zones:

• Misk Foundation Center: Representing the identity of the entire district​​.
• Al Mishraq: the city’s central zone with businesses and retail;​.
• Misk Schools: Dedicated to teaching talented young Saudis​​;
• The City Hub: Designed as a modern and inspiring mixed-use center capable of hosting 4,500 people​​;
• Manga Production: A production home for animations, video games, and comics with creative and positive content;
• Ilmi Science Discovery & Innovation Center: Enabling learners of all abilities across Saudi Arabia to reach their full potential​​.
• Forum Offices: Corporate office buildings next to the Al Mishrak zone​​.
• Misk Art: A place of creativity, culture, and community​​.
• The “LIFELINE” is the main artery modeled as a livable corridor integrating flexible workplaces, residential, and public amenities¹¹.

Here, sustainable development and human-centered planning principles come together to create a “smart, human-centered ecosystem” around the Misk Foundation and its subsidiaries, fostering a culture of innovation and creativity​​​​​​​​​​​​¹². In specific, it emphasizes offering a space for young creatives to ignite their imagination and talents​​​​​​, combined with opportunities and youth training programs¹³. In terms of sustainability and health, the city promises 44% open green spaces, parks, and trails¹⁴, with a focus on the natural context of the Wadi Hanifah¹⁵​. In terms of smart transport, the plan emphasizes the “15-minute city to become a prime example of modern and integrated urban transport, within an infrastructure that includes a smart and sustainable cooling and shading system designed to provide a comfortable outdoor environment”¹⁶.

The project was launched in 2021 by the Misk Foundationⁱⁱ. Its masterplan was proposed by renowned German architecture and urban planning firm AS+P, which won an international competition for the project design¹⁷. The announced design partners include Australian architecture practice Conrad Gargett and international company Brewer Smith Brewer Group (BSBG), with the UK’s Buro Happold as engineers¹⁸. The project manager for the first phase of construction is UK-based company Mace¹⁹. The total investment of the project is estimated at around SAR20.4 billion ($5.4 billion)²⁰.

It is worth noting that Misk City is certified for ISO 14001 – Environmental Management and ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety in 2023²¹.