Richard De La Mare is the Vice President – Project Management Office at Parsons in Riyadh. He previously served as Parsons’ Program Director for King Salman Park in Saudi Arabia.

“This federal transport investment highlights the UAE’s commitment to future-proofing its infrastructure amid rapid population growth and economic expansion,” said Pierre Santoni, president for infrastructure in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Parsons Corporation.

Faysal Ali, vice-president of design and planning studio at engineering, design and infrastructure firm Parsons, explains that the rise of such projects in the UAE indicates a clear shift towards “people-centric urban design that prioritises quality of life alongside environmental performance”. He, too, points out that such well-designed, functional green spaces offer a range of benefits like fostering biodiversity, improving air quality, reducing rising temperatures, capturing carbon, and making year-round outdoor living in extreme climates a reality.