Adel Alzahrani, Ph.D., MCP, BArch, BSA, EDRA

About

Honored to share my story, shaped by a journey of innovation, resilience, & impactful leadership. I'm an architect & urbanist driven by a vision to transform urban spaces into thriving, sustainable environments that inspire connection & enhance quality of life. Dr. Adel Alzahrani is an Executive Urban Enterprise Visionary and Architect of Scalable Livability Frameworks, widely recognized as one of the Arab world’s most influential leaders in urbanism, design governance, and the future of human-centered cities. In his current mandate as Executive Director for Community Development Charters at a leading PIF company, he is driving the creation of a transformative “DNA of Livability” — an enterprise-wide framework that sets the codes for urban excellence. His work translates sustainability, innovation, inclusivity, and livability into integrated policies and performance systems that guide the development of the company’s entire portfolio, establishing a new national benchmark for high-quality, future-ready built environments. With a distinguished legacy as Deputy Minister for Urban Planning & Lands, he helped shape Saudi Arabia’s National Urban Policy, authored the 19 Saudi Architectural Identities, founded the National Urban Design Studio, and led major spatial planning, regeneration, and public-realm reforms aligned with Vision 2030. Dr. Adel is internationally recognized for pioneering Symbiotic Urbanism, Sick Urban Syndrome, and scalable models that combine walkability, livability, public-realm design, and behavioral impact. His work bridges policy, design, and enterprise-scale city systems, creating frameworks that redefine how cities grow, perform, and elevate societal well-being. A leading urbanist, designer, and systems thinker, he has become a defining voice in the region’s shift toward regenerative, human-centered urban development. Today, he continues to shape the next Saudi urban decade and contribute to global conversations on livable, next-generation cities.

Experience

• Executive Director | Head of ROSHN Community Development Code at ROSHN l روشن
  Nov 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 1 mo

• Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing (3 yrs 2 mos)
  • Deputy Minister for Urban Planning and Lands
    Dec 2021 - Nov 2023 · 2 yrs

  • Dec 2021 - Nov 2023 · 2 yrs
    Key Achievements as Deputy Minister • Founder, National Urban Design Studio: Established the National Urban Design Studio as Saudi Arabia s central authority for urban design governance and implementation. • Technical Lead, 19 Saudi Urban Architectural Identities: Led the technical development of the 19 Saudi Urban Architectural Identities, defining region-specific urban, architectural, & public realm character nationwide. • National Urban Policy Leadership: Led the formulation and execution of Saudi Arabia's National Urban Policy for intervention in alignment with Vision 2030. • National Design Governance: Directed the rollout of Urban Design Guidelines, Public Realm Manual, & Architectural Identity Codes. • Urban Regeneration Strategy: Spearheaded the National Urban Regeneration Strategy to revitalize city centers & strengthen socio-economic resilience. • Spatial Planning Innovation: Launched the Urban Spatial Program to guide spatial planning, growth management, & land development. • Vision 2030 Urban Alignment: Aligned national urban initiatives & KPIs with Vision 2030 priorities. • Livability and Public Realm Leadership: Advanced quality of life through walkability-focused, design-led public realm initiatives. • Intergovernmental Coordination Harmonized urban codes & implementation across ministries & municipalities. UN and World Urban Forum Representation • Kingdom Representative and Speaker Represented Saudi Arabia at the United Nations and World Urban Forum on New Urban Agenda fot urban policy, regional development, & infrastructure integration. • Global Urban Contributor: Shared Saudi Arabia s experience in large-scale urban transformation, sustainability, & identity-driven development. Founder Narrative: Founded the National Urban Design Studio to transform urban design from a visual discipline into a national governance tool.

  • Head Executive Committee for Cities Gateways Development
    Nov 2022 - Aug 2023 · 10 mos

  • Founder of the 1st National Urban Design Studio [MOMRA–NUDS]
    Oct 2020 - Mar 2022 · 1 yr 6 mos

  • His Excellency, Strategic Advisor for Urban Design and City Livability.
    Oct 2020 - Mar 2022 · 1 yr 6 mos

• Co-Founder at Amaken Placemaking
  Oct 2018 - Nov 2023 · 5 yrs 2 mos

  Co-founded an international non-profit advancing placemaking & urbanism in Arab cities. AMAKEN serves as a knowledge hub, https://amakenplacemaking.org/. – Culture Advocate: Delivered 25+ talks, 5+ workshops, and published key articles. – Network Builder: Founded 3+ local placemaking nonprofits in the Arab world. – Localization Leader: Translated global guidelines into Arabic for regional use.

• Founder of PPMx Studios | creating healthy communities at PPMx Studio
  May 2017 - Nov 2023 · 6 yrs 7 mos

• Committee Member of the Excellencies Senior Municipal Officials in GCC countries at The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC)
  Apr 2021 - Oct 2023 · 2 yrs 7 mos