H.H. is the Mayor of Riyadh and President of the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI). He also serves as chair and board member of several leading companies and major national projects in Saudi Arabia.
A specialist in urban planning and management, H.H. holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, a master’s degree in urban planning from Harvard University, a master’s degree in urban design from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree from the College of Architecture and Planning at King Saud University. H.H. work centers on urban development management and urban strategic planning, and he has contributed directly to numerous conferences and mega urban development projects across the Kingdom.
Board President
Prince Faisal bin Abdul Aziz bin Ayyaf
Dr. Anas Almughairy is the AUDI Director General and an expert in urban policy. He holds a PhD in Planning and Governance of Major Cities from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a master’s degree in Rural Development.
He led the establishment of the Asir Development Authority and the formulation of the region’s development strategy. H.E. also contributed to advancing municipal leadership through the executive program in Municipal Policies and Urban Development, a partnership between the Ministry of Municipal Housing and King Saud University.
Dr. Al-Mughairi has published numerous research and working papers on regional strategy development, regional growth, municipal institutional development, and urban planning.
Board Member
Dr.ANAS ALMUGHAIRY
Chairman of the UK’s Connected Places Catapult and Chair of the UK Cities Climate Investment Commission, Prof. Greg Clark is a globally recognized expert on cities, urban transformation, and place-based leadership. He advises governments, investors, and international institutions on sustainable urban development and climate transition. He has supported more than 400 cities, over 40 national governments, and organizations including the World Bank and UN agencies. A prolific author and keynote speaker, he is a CBE and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS).
Board Member
Prof. Greg Clark
A distinguished professor of urban development and spatial planning, Dr. Al-Sayyad brings broad expertise in spatial planning, urban management, land development, and urban design. He has contributed to spatial and city center revitalization plans for major cities and regions, worked with leading international planning firms, and advised governments and global institutions. He has delivered advanced lectures at prominent universities and published extensively on urban issues worldwide.
Board Member
Dr. NEZAR ALSAYYAD
Dr. Malkawi, an urban development and spatial planning specialist at the World Bank, Dr. Malkawi has extensive experience in spatial planning, urban management, land development, and urban design. He has worked with leading international planning firms and contributed to spatial and city center activation plans for cities and regions worldwide. He has also served as a consultant to governments and international organizations, lectured at universities in the Middle East and North America, and widely published his work.
Board Member
DR. Fuad Malkawi
A leading European figure in urban governance, sustainability and urban diplomacy, Anna König Jerlmäer served as Mayor of Stockholm from 2018 to 2022. During her tenure, Stockholm advanced in digital transformation, climate action, and inclusive growth, winning the World Smart City Award (2019) and ranked second in the “Sustainable Cities Index 2022. She has held leadership roles in C40 Cities and chaired Eurocities. She currently serves as CEO of the Arwidsson Foundation and sits on several advisory boards, focusing on sustainable development, urban innovation, and future governance.
Board Member
Anna König Jerlmäer
A globally recognized Canadian urban planner, Eleanor Mohamed combines strategic insight with an innovative approach to sustainable urban development. She holds an MSc with distinction in Urban and Rural Planning from the University of the West of England and a BSc with honors in Environmental Management from the University of Toronto. She is a Partner at DIALOG, Chair of the Professional Forum at UN-Habitat, and a board member of the National Capital Commission of Canada. She has led leading local and international initiatives focused on sustainability and climate resilience.
Board Member
Eleanor Mohammed
Arab Cities Information Hub
An online library where you can explore relevant data on urban development in the Arab cities.