The connection is much closer than it seems at first glance. Every green park and every shaded pedestrian zone in Riyadh depends on infrastructure hidden from view. A reliable water supply network is one of the key factors allowing ambitious plans like Green Riyadh to become a reality.
Imagine a morning in the capital where, instead of the usual heat, you are greeted by the cool breeze of millions of trees. In areas like Dahrat Namar or Al-Rimal, over 252 km of pedestrian routes have already been laid. The project sets an ambitious goal: to integrate movement into daily life, making the 6,000-step norm accessible and comfortable even in a desert climate.
About Green Riyadh
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has launched the “Green Riyadh” program, one of the world’s largest urban afforestation initiatives. The program aims to plant more than 7.5 million trees across Riyadh by 2030 and increase green space from 1.5% to 9%, significantly enhancing the city’s quality of life. Green Riyadh goes beyond landscaping. It is designed to reduce urban temperatures by up to 2°C and deliver a lasting improvement to the city’s ecological balance, supporting the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030. However, sustaining this ecosystem over the long term depends on a reliable and continuous supply of water at a large scale — an often unseen but critical foundation of the city’s resilience. To support this, the program is developing an extensive irrigation network spanning 1,350 km, with a daily capacity of 1.7 million cubic meters. It also aims to transition irrigation entirely to treated water, increasing its use from 11% to 100%.
The Green Heart of the Desert: Our Contribution
In partnership with Abdullah Ibrahim Al Sayegh & Sons Co. and under the technical guidance of ILF engineers, AVK supplied large-diameter double-eccentric butterfly valves from DN1000 to DN1500.
Why were this specific solution chosen for critical infrastructure of such scale?
- Minimal Wear: Thanks to the double-eccentric design, the seal only comes into contact with the seat at the final moment of closure. This eliminates unnecessary friction and ensures decades of operation without heavy maintenance.
- Made in Saudi Arabia: These valves are manufactured locally. This is our direct contribution to sustainable development and localization within the framework of Vision 2030.
- Proven Reliability: Every unit underwent 100% third-party inspection before delivery. We verify every detail because the reliability of these systems directly impacts the success of the entire project.
The Engineering Aspect: Why Not a Gate Valve?
A frequent question: why isn't a gate valve used for such applications? At diameters around DN1500, gate valves become extremely heavy, bulky, and slow to operate. Our Series 756 double-eccentric butterfly valve provides the optimal balance between compact design, operational speed, and long-term efficiency.
For our team, this project is more than just a supply contract. It is an opportunity to be part of the Kingdom’s massive transformation — because real change begins with reliable systems underground and the very first step on a park path.