Ha’il set to open central district project costing SAR 268.5 million

Ha’il in northern Saudi Arabia will inaugurate its Central District Development Project on Wednesday under the patronage of the Ha’il Region governor. The SAR 268.5 million project is meant to turn the city center into a stronger destination for commerce, tourism and culture while creating jobs and investment opportunities.

Why it matters: - The Central District Development Project is designed to reshape central Ha’il into a place where people stay, shop and gather, not just pass through. - The project supports Saudi Vision 2030 goals tied to urban quality of life, local investment and public space. - Ha’il officials expect the district to generate economic activity, visitor traffic and new opportunities for local businesses.

What happened: - Ha’il is preparing to inaugurate the Central District Development Project on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. - The opening will take place under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of the Ha’il Region. - The project covers more than 750,000 square meters and cost SAR 268.5 million. - The development aims to revitalize the city center and strengthen Ha’il’s role as a destination for commerce, tourism and culture.

The details: - The project connects to six main roads and includes 18 kilometers of routes. - Those routes include 12 kilometers for pedestrians and 6 kilometers for cyclists. - The district includes 3,000 trees, 1,500 parking spaces, an open-air theatre covering 13,000 square meters and interactive fountains covering 12,000 square meters. - The plan also includes 17 commercial venues for restaurants and cafés. - The district carries the identity “Patterns for Life.” - The project provides 300,000 square meters of healthy public spaces and 250,000 square meters of recreational areas. - The district is intended for shopping, strolling, sports and events. - The design accounts for children, older people and persons with disabilities. - The district also provides spaces for families and young people to gather and be active. - Development work addressed conflicts between vehicle and pedestrian movement. - Work also included upgrading open spaces and improving the area around the markets. - Sections of Afnan Street were converted from parking areas into a pedestrian walkway connected to Barzan Market. - The project links modern facilities with a historic setting that includes A’arif Castle and Al-Qishlah Castle. - The visitor experience is meant to highlight local crafts, products and Ha’ili culture.

Between the lines: - Engineer Sultan bin Hamid Al-Zaydi, Mayor of the Ha’il Region, said the project reorganizes the relationship between people and place while preserving the area’s architectural and historical identity. - Al-Zaydi said the opening marks a shift from completing facilities to enabling the community to benefit from them. - The project is built around turning central Ha’il into a destination where visitors spend more time and support surrounding businesses. - The focus on heritage, crafts and local products signals an effort to make the district economically useful without stripping away its regional character.

What’s next: - The project aims to attract 1.5 million visits in its first year of operation. - Officials expect more than 1,000 direct and indirect job opportunities. - The development includes 25 investment opportunities. - The project aims for at least 85% beneficiary satisfaction and full occupancy of all 17 commercial venues. - Longer visitor stays are expected to support restaurants, cafés, retail trade, crafts and tourism services. - Entrepreneurs and productive families are expected to offer products and services suited to the destination. - Public wireless internet, smart lighting, monitoring and operating systems, and support for public transport will be provided. - Movement will be monitored from the start of operations, especially during events, to improve access and flow. - Shamail, the municipality’s investment arm, will operate the project and manage investment in the commercial venues. - Investment opportunities will be offered through the Furas platform. - Success will be measured by visitor satisfaction, repeat visits, market activity and responses to feedback. - The priority now is to preserve the project’s gains and maximize its social and economic benefits for residents and visitors.

The bottom line: - Ha’il is betting that a large, mixed-use central district can turn its historic core into a year-round economic and social hub.