Over two days, FutureScape Global brought together those working across public spaces and large-scale residential developments at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center in Saudi Arabia.
Now in its second year, the event―held on June 8-9―attracted developers, urban planners, landscape architects and designers, landscape contractors, grounds maintenance professionals, horticulturists, and those in the wider green industry, providing a platform for education and commercial opportunities.
Here are just a handful of highlights from this year’s FutureScape Global in association with the International Federation of Landscape Architects:
1 Awarding those shaping Saudi Arabia’s built environment
A carefully curated group of leaders were recognized through Saudi 100 in partnership with Botanica and collected their awards in the VIP Lounge, sponsored by Husqvarna and Integrate. The initiative celebrates those driving innovation, leadership and long-term development across the Kingdom. This year’s winners included: NEOM’s director of regional and urban planning, Laila Alawneh Soila; ROSHN’s director of community landscaping, Haitham Gharaibeh; bödeker partner Nils Pudewills; Dr Amer Mohammed Habibullah, president of the Saudi Society of Landscape Architecture―which hosted its own lounge at the show―as well as members of the Red Sea Global team, Qiddiya, the Diriyah Company, and the King Salman Park Foundation. The list also included strategic urban planner and designer for a government regional development authority, Khaled Abdellatif, who opened the show.
2 And those shaping the future of sport in the Kingdom
The Saudi Sports 100 in partnership with MakinH celebrates the trailblazers redefining what it means to deliver world-class stadiums, arenas, training facilities, sports infrastructure and active community spaces throughout Saudi Arabia. From pioneering venue designers and strategic planners to influential decision-makers and innovators, the awards recognize those having a lasting impact, including representatives from the country’s Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Arabian Rugby Federation and Golf Saudi, as well as Owain Hughes, superintendent of the Qiddiya City Golf Course, and Alfonso Senatore, head of sustainability for the Sports Boulevard Foundation.
3 Revealing the winners of the 2026 Pro Landscaper International Awards
Five landscaping projects became the global champions in their category after the first round at the 2026 Pro Landscaper International Awards final. Three of them went on to win their share of the ultimate awards based on the pillars of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 after leading companies from around the world competed in front of an esteemed jury. Both the Community Engagement and Sustainable Development award were bestowed on Avilala Ecological Park in India, by Ravikumar & Associates. Eden Dock in the UK, by HTA Design, picked up the Economic Diversification award, whilst the Quality of Life award went to Avalon Springs in South Africa, by CNDV Landscape Architects.
4 Learning how Saudi Arabia will be achieving its ambitions
From vision to delivery, speakers in the FutureScape Global Theater discussed the Kingdom’s goals for landscaping and green infrastructure and its plans to achieve these―from its prolific giga projects through to residential developments. Sustainability was front and center, with conversations around soil and planting considerations, irrigation, and urban cooling, and how delivering sustainable developments needs to start with the design. Speakers included: Dr Nadine Bitar, president of IFLA Middle East and vice president of the Lebanese Landscape Association; Pauline Noujaim, regional head of landscape at WSP; Ahmed Maghrabi, head of the engineering department of parks, Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MoMAH); and Michael Holm, principal at InSite.
5 Showcasing heritage landscapes and spotlighting sports programs and community projects
As part of the show’s Sports Expo Saudi zone, the Heritage and Sports Theater featured experts who offered advice on how to develop and deliver leading sports facilities, covered how to incorporate active community spaces, and explored how legacy needs to be considered for iconic sports infrastructure in the works. The Heritage talks brought together thoughts and inspiration around incorporating cultural identity alongside placemaking and resilience in Saudi Arabia’s landscapes. Speakers included: Dr Kam Al-Mazrui, director of sports and events at Mott MacDonald; Jacobs’ project director, Francesco Aurelio Bongiorno; Eng. Ahmed Fayoumi, project specialist for the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification; and Futurecity’s founder Mark Davy.
6 Recognizing exhibitors that are pushing the boundaries
From an incredible lineup of international exhibitors, three were announced as winners in the FutureScape Global 2026 Exhibitor Awards, which celebrate the companies, technologies and solutions driving innovation, sustainability, and quality across the industry. Seder Group won the Product Excellence Award, whilst the Future Innovation Award was presented to Sports Turf Solutions. Terraxy picked up the Environmental Performance Award.
7 Celebrating leading voices through the ambassador program
A select group of professionals were invited to become official ambassadors for the 2026 event. Industry voices such as architect Rayan Adel Safadi and Maram Othman, CEO and co-founder of GreenDesk, were recognized through the program, as were husband and wife Ahmed Nour and Mirna Abdrabbuh, who together founded Build Boom and Ripple. Nour is also design director at Alamosa Co. Ltd, whilst Abdrabbuh is CEO of Build Boom and co-founder of Tiraz Consultants with fellow ambassador Rawan Sultan.
Next year’s FutureScape Global will be taking place on June 7-8, 2027 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.
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