Abha Marks World Cities Day with Major Urban Transformations

   Abha, October 31, 2026, SPA -- Marking World Cities Day, celebrated annually on October 31, the city of Abha—the administrative capital of Aseer Region—is undergoing wide-ranging urban and infrastructural transformations designed to establish it as a sustainable, year-round tourism and economic hub in southern Saudi Arabia.
   The global observance this year aligns with the UN theme "Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All," which highlights urban renewal, infrastructure development, and resilient community planning. Abha exemplifies this transformation in mountainous settings by pairing modern infrastructure with the preservation of its architectural identity and environmental balance. According to the Aseer Region Development Authority, Abha's population has reached 422,243, accounting for 20.86% of the region's 2.02 million residents.
   Leading the investment pipeline is the "AlWadi" mega-development spearheaded by ARDARA, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, backed by a consortium exceeding SAR1 billion. Spanning 2.5 million square meters, the project features five primary zones, 22 sub-zones, 16 water attractions, 17 kilometers of sports trails, 16 hotels delivering over 2,000 keys, and open green spaces covering more than 30% of the site.
   Concurrently, the new Abha International Airport development is underway to scale capacity to 13 million passengers annually, equipped with 20 boarding gates and 41 check-in counters, anchoring regional mobility alongside expanded road, water, power, and telecommunications networks.
   These initiatives complement neighboring mega-developments across the region, notably "Soudah Peaks," which spans 636.5 square kilometers across Soudah and parts of Rijal Almaa with investments exceeding SAR14 billion, targeting 2,800 hotel keys and 1,300 residential units by 2033.
   By combining public realm upgrades, active mobility trails, quality-of-life enhancements, and sustainable investments, Abha continues to align local urban renewal with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and global urban sustainability standards.
   -- SPA