Qiddiya SNK District

Qiddiya City, located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is being developed as the capital of entertainment, sports, and the arts. The vision for Qiddiya City 2030 is "to create a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation."

As part of the Cox Architecture team, our accessibility experts successfully developed a vision, plan, design, and delivery strategy for a Gaming and Esports Community within Qiddiya City. The designs reflect high-level concepts for precinct linkages, features, and attractions that align with the overall strategy for Qiddiya City to provide universal design (UD) and accessibility to international standards.

The Gaming and Esports precinct within Qiddiya City comprises three distinct areas: Cyber Punk, Alternate History, and High Fantasy.

The Gaming and Esports community encompasses several key features across its three themed areas:

• Gaming and esports competition and training venues
• Entertainment facilities
• Hotel and hospitality amenities
• Commercial and office spaces
• Residential apartments
• Retail tenancies
• Parking

Saudi Arabia has established the Saudi Building Code (SBC 201), which specifically addresses accessibility requirements in Chapter 11. This comprehensive code aligns with standards in many other Arab and Western countries.

The Qiddiya City Gaming and Esports Precinct presents an excellent opportunity not only to apply the technical accessibility requirements of SBC 201 Chapter 11, but also to embody the principles of Universal Design (UD). UD is based on internationally recognised goals that prioritize maximum inclusion with minimum resource requirements, harmonising with sustainability principles.

Applying UD and accessibility principles ensures the built environment caters to people with diverse needs - including those with disabilities, aging adults, young families, and individuals with temporary injuries/illnesses or susceptibility to fatigue or heat. This approach showcases Saudi Arabia's commitment to creating a world-class, seamless environment where all can visit, experience, enjoy, work, and compete.