As global interest in the real estate sector intensifies, Saudi Arabia‘s new foreign homeownership law is taking center stage at Cityscape Global 2025, an event that promises to reshape urban living. This landmark legislation, which allows non-Saudis to purchase properties in designated areas starting in 2026, is expected to attract significant global investment, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s standing as a dynamic real estate market. With over 170,000 participants and numerous industry experts on hand, the spotlight will shine brightly on the implications of the new law throughout the conference.
The Five Stages of Cityscape
Cityscape Global 2025 will feature a robust conference program that includes the Future of Living Summit, the DnA (Developers & Architects) Stage, the Innovation Arena, the Investor Programme, and ESTAAD – Stadiums & Entertainment. Each segment is designed to provide critical insights into sustainable urban development and the evolving landscape of city living.
The Future of Living Summit will convene ministers, mayors, leading investors, and billion-dollar developers to discuss federal strategies, groundbreaking developments, and trends in AI and PropTech. This summit is pivotal for those interested in how the new foreign homeownership law fits into Saudi Arabia’s broader real estate aspirations.
The DnA Stage serves as a networking hub for award-winning urban planners, top architectural firms, facility managers, and sustainability experts, connecting them with the region’s prominent developers. Concurrently, the Innovation Arena will host interactive competitions like the Cityscape Innovation Challenge and the ROSHN Hackathon, showcasing inventive solutions that align with the objectives of the new foreign homeownership law.
Facilitating Global Investment
Designed as an invite-only opportunity, the Investor Programme aims to catalyze foreign direct investment into Saudi Arabia’s real estate and infrastructure sectors. Organizers expect institutional investors from over 20 countries to convene, leveraging their access to key partners and stakeholders in Saudi Arabia, thus highlighting the potential of the new foreign homeownership law.
ESTAAD, supported by the Saudi Ministry of Sport, will focus on integrating the international ecosystem behind stadiums and mega-event infrastructure into the broader development narrative. With the launch of the inaugural Sport Integrity Awards, this segment underscores Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a leading global hub for sports and entertainment.
Impact of Cityscape Global 2024
The previous edition of Cityscape Global marked a significant success, featuring over $5.3 billion in onsite property sales and participation from 120 countries, all while enhancing international growth in the sector. Rachel Sturgess, Senior Vice President at Tahaluf, emphasized that the upcoming event will be a milestone for the real estate industry. “Cityscape Global 2025 will showcase the transformative power of AI, PropTech, and international collaboration,” she noted, reflecting on its importance in light of the new foreign homeownership law.
This year’s Cityscape will also present a dedicated exhibition zone focused on AI and PropTech, along with the prestigious Cityscape Innovation Challenge, which supports Proof of Concept projects with a total of $100,000 at stake. Participants can expect to encounter influential developers, architects, technology providers, and policymakers from over 120 nations, all eager to explore opportunities under the new foreign homeownership law.
Attendees have plenty to look forward to, including prizes totaling over SR11 million (US$2.93 million), featuring a luxury villa in the Sedra Al Mashrqia project, along with significant rewards from various sponsors, including Sakani.
Cityscape Global is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, Vision 2030, and the Housing Program. Major sponsors include Diriyah Company, ROSHN Group, and NEOM, which plays a vital role as the Principal Partner. Stakeholders are gearing up for a transformative experience that is set to redefine urban living and include significant advancements related to Saudi Arabia’s new foreign homeownership law.