Formula E, the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, will light up the streets of Diriyah, Saudi Arabia for the third year in a row at the UNESCO World Heritage Site At-Turaif. The night race is the first time any motorsport race has attempted to use high-performance, sustainable, and fully renewable LED lighting technologies.
As part of Vision 2030, seven square kilometers of iconic Diriyah will be transformed into one of the Kingdom’s most prominent tourism destinations, called Diriyah Gate. Drawing on the region’s rich past, Diriyah Gate will reflect the Najdi architecture of 300 years past, newly adapted for 21st-century living. The development, upon completion, will feature an array of world-class cultural, entertainment, retail, hospitality, educational, office, and residential areas. This includes more than 20 cultural attractions, over 20 hotels, and hundreds of places to dine.
In addition, the project includes a series of outdoor plazas as well as a 3km escarpment walk that offers views across the historic Wadi Hanifah. Diriyah Gate will comprise the Kingdom's most walkable collection of heritage and culture offerings and one of the Kingdom’s largest lifestyle shopping destinations. The premier cultural and lifestyle destination will be home to a population of 100,000 and is set to attract 25 million visitors annually as a place to gather, explore, shop, dine, live and work.
Sustainable Car Attractions
The Third Night Race in Saudi Arabia Leverages Renewable Technologies
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Night Races - Opportunity for motorsport races to leverage sustainable and renewable LED lighting technologies for night races.
2. Heritage Tourism - Growing trend of transforming historic sites into tourist destinations, highlighting the rich past of certain regions and incorporating modern amenities.
3. Walkable Lifestyle Destinations - Development of large-scale cultural and lifestyle destinations that prioritize walkability and create opportunities for exploration, shopping, dining, and work.
Industry Implications
1. Motorsports - Opportunity for motorsports to adopt more sustainable and renewable technologies for night racing, such as LED lighting.
2. Tourism - Opportunity for tourism industries to transform historic sites into modern destinations that celebrate the past while incorporating world-class cultural, entertainment, and retail opportunities.
3. Real Estate - Opportunity for real estate developers to create large-scale lifestyle destinations that prioritize walkability, incorporating a mix of cultural, entertainment, retail, residential, and office spaces.