Al Madinah Al Munawwarah’s cultural identity is inseparable from its spiritual legacy. It is home to historically and spiritually significant sites — forming a cultural landscape where faith, history, and daily life remain closely intertwined.

As the second holiest city in Islam and home to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque) and the burial place of the Prophet, Al Madinah receives millions of pilgrims every year. Among its most revered landmarks is Quba Mosque, the first mosque built in Islamic history, still welcoming worshippers more than 14 centuries later. The Kingdom’s first recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site — Al Hijr (also called Madain Salih) — lies around 300 kilometres north of Al Madinah, preserving the monumental tombs and inscriptions of the Nabataean civilisation.

From the recently restored Well of Al-Faqir, to the revitalised corridors of Urwa bin Al-Zubair Palace, the city invites both discovery and reflection. Contemporary initiatives such as the Islamic Civilization Village and the rehabilitation of over 100 historical sites aim to immerse visitors in the city’s profound Islamic heritage. Today, Al Madinah is shaping its profile as a cultural capital, with museums, galleries, and public art telling stories of pilgrimage, trade, and urban transformation, while festivals and heritage walks keep its history alive in the present.

Al Madinah’s commitment to cultural continuity is evident in its careful balance between preservation and modernity. By protecting its heritage while shaping new spaces for engagement and curating every detail of the city experience, it ensures that the past remains a living, inspiring part of its future.

Livability in Al Madinah means more than housing or jobs — the city is leading with a bold vision of humanization; rethinking infrastructure and public life around inclusion, connection, and dignity. This vision places people at the center, weaving faith, community, and future-forward infrastructure into a cohesive urban experience that elevates both soul and society.

Al Madinah’s transformation begins at the street level. Once car-dominated roads like Quba Street are being redesigned into pedestrian-friendly boulevards, creating vibrant public spaces that foster connection and safety. Walkways, bike paths, and accessibility features for the visually impaired embody a city built for all.

Development projects such as Rua Al Madinah and Knowledge Economic City emphasize walkability, social interaction, and seamless urban mobility. The city’s layout is structured with ring roads and green corridors, linking spiritual landmarks with daily life through design that invites reflection and movement alike.

At the crossroads of faith, culture, and innovation, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah is positioning as a global model for place-led transformation. Rooted in Islamic heritage, the city’s evolution is guided by a profound commitment: technology should serve people, not the other way around.

In a world chasing smartness, Al Madinah is choosing humanness. With projects that promote health, community, quality education, and spiritual vitality, this is a city rebranding itself not just through architecture but through intention. It is building an inclusive future where:

• Cultural & Islamic identity is preserved and celebrated
• Entire city experience is elevated
• Urban life is balanced with nature
• Residents & visitors feel a strong sense of belonging and purpose

Led by the Al Madinah Region Development Authority, the city’s smart strategy — aligned with Vision 2030 — places well-being, mobility, sustainability, and spiritual tourism at its core. Innovation begins with people’s needs, ensuring every solution enhances quality of life while preserving cultural identity.

Unlike many global smart city initiatives that begin with technology, Al Madinah starts with people — identifying the real challenges faced by residents and visitors, defining the outcomes it seeks to achieve, and only then applying technology as an enabler. The city’s approach ensures that innovation serves purpose: delivering improved quality of life, urban sustainability, and long-term resilience.

At the core of Al Madinah’s transformation lies Raseel — a city-wide digital platform built on three layers: infrastructure, integration, and interaction. It connects smart utilities, data systems, and public interfaces to enable coordinated services, real-time insights, and citizen engagement. More than a digital tool, Raseel embodies the city’s vision for livability, cultural identity, and shared value.

Mobility in Al Madinah is about more than getting from point A to B — the city’s layout and transport systems are being reengineered to ensure that everyone — resident or visitor — moves with ease, dignity, and efficiency.

Key innovations include:

• Madinah Bus Project: With over 450 stations and 6 lines linking the north of the city to its south and its east to its west, passing through the Prophet’s Mosque and key city hubs.
• Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): 66 km of dedicated rapid-transit lanes will serve around 35 million passengers annually — fast, green, and connected.
• Careem E-bike Project: 500 e-bikes and 60 stations offer sustainable last-mile mobility.
• High-Speed Rail: The Haramain train — the fastest in the Middle East — connects Madinah to Makkah in under 2.5 hours and links the city to Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City.
• Mobility for All & Integrated Walkability: 69% of jobs are within a 20-minute drive, and 33% are reachable in 10 minutes on foot.

Mobility here supports productivity, inclusivity, and a low-carbon future; enabling a modern rhythm of life. Al Madinah offers an invitation: to move freely, live fully, and experience the city in whatever mobility mean you choose.

A sacred sanctuary rooted in Islamic history, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah unites a rich historical, religious, and cultural heritage with a forward-looking vision for growth and opportunity. Known simply as Al Madinah or Medina, the city lies in the western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, about 150 kilometres from the Red Sea coast. Its setting is both striking and strategic: volcanic plateaus frame fertile oases, while Mount Uhud stands to the north.

Al Madinah is growing and positioning itself as a model for future cities: not by outgrowing its identity, but by deepening it. The city’s development projects revolve around purpose, identity, and impact.

• Tourism & Hospitality: Rua AlMadinah & Knowledge Economic City projects blend modern hospitality with cultural reverence, offering enriched spiritual journeys and contemporary comforts. Projects like The Hills, and Al-Othaim Iconic Development bring new experiences while protecting the city’s serene character.
• Residential Transformation: Mixed-use neighborhoods like Al-Alya and Dar AlHijrah offer smart, green living close to spiritual and commercial centers.
• Health & Sports: With wellness parks, walking tracks, and youth-focused facilities in projects like Al Aqool Park and Quba Boulevard, the city promotes both spiritual and physical well-being.

Al Madinah’s growth reflects the national ambition and is in full alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to elevate quality of life, create jobs, and expand the economy through human-centric urbanism. As it evolves, Al Madinah is writing a new chapter in city branding — one where spiritual serenity, cultural richness, and sustainable development live side by side.