Riyadh

The Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Name	Diplomatic Quarter
Place	Riyadh
Country	Saudi Arabia
Topic	please enter the topic here
Author(s)	Christoph Dankers
Completion	Please enter the date of completion
Client	Please enter the client
Project costs	Please enter the costs (if known)


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The Diplomatic Quarter was one of the first developments in Riyadh which features an extensive pedestrian route network including parks, outdoor sports facilities and other public open spaces. Until today the 'DQ' is one of the few places in Riyadh where locals and visitors can enjoy outdoor activities in a pleasant environment.

Why is this project interesting? 1. Richard Boedeker (german landscape architect) introduced the concept of 'extensive landscaping' in the late 1970s. His way of transforming an unfriendly, dry and overwhelmingly hot piece of land on the edge of the Wadi Hanifah (a canyon and stream network running through the city of Riyadh) inspired many of the later developments in the area. Instead of trying to ban the harsh environment out of the public open spaces of the Diplomatic Quarter, Boedeker decided to translate the spectacular forms of the local desert into a network of parks. The result is a development which blends in with its natural environment and at the same time offers high quality open spaces using local plants and stone.

2. The 'DQ' acts as a role model for other projects. Most of the plants successfully used in many designs in the area were first introduced and tested during the construction of the Diplomatic Quarter.

3. Until today the Diplomatic Quarter is the only place in Riyadh where people (men and women) meet freely for sports and recreation. It is a strong example how landscape design can improve general quality of a city and the social life of it's citizens.

I was a site supervisor during the construction of a part of the 'Earthberm Park' which surrounds the Diplomatic Quarter. I lived in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter for six months in 2006.

Landscape and/or urban context

Biogeography, cultural features, overall character, history and dynamics

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Cultural/social/political context

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History

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