Misk City sets to become “the world’s first nonprofit city”

Serra Utkum Ikiz
Serra Utkum Ikiz is a city planner, writer, and researcher who previously served as Managing Editor at Parametric Architecture. Her work explores cities through urbanism, politics,...

The Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City (Misk City) is a mixed-use urban development in Riyadh that is intended to be “the world’s first nonprofit city” for youth empowerment and innovation.

This project takes the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the next level in achieving the goals of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, which is all about innovation, entrepreneurship, and preparation of future leaders. One of the goals in the Saudi Vision 2030 is to make Misk City a creativity and entrepreneurship hub, developing opportunities to unleash the potential of Saudi youth.

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Launched in 2021 by the Misk Foundation, the project’s masterplan was designed by the renowned German architecture and urban planning firm Albert Speer + Partner (AS+P), who won an international competition for the project. The development is supported by BSBG and Buro Happold as consultants, with funding provided by the Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation.

Located on a 3.4 square kilometer site along Riyadh’s Western Ring Road, Misk City is situated south of Wadi Hanifa and north of the Irqah neighborhood. Also, the project is driven by sustainable development and human-centered planning principles, creating a “smart, human-centered ecosystem” centered around the Misk Foundation and its subsidiaries.

The city is designed to inspire young creatives, offering spaces and programs that nurture imagination, talent, and opportunities for youth training. Sustainability is a core focus, with 44% of the city dedicated to open green spaces, parks, and trails, emphasizing the natural landscape of Wadi Hanifa.

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Serra Utkum Ikiz is a city planner, writer, and researcher who previously served as Managing Editor at Parametric Architecture. Her work explores cities through urbanism, politics, everyday sociology, and emerging design trends, combining critical research with architectural and urban storytelling.
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