AECD Explores Urban Growth Strategies for Achieving Economic Development

      Riyadh, May 13, 2025, SPA -- The Arab European Cities Dialogue (AECD 2025), organized by the Riyadh Municipality, continued its activities with a panel session titled “Local Economic Development and Investment: Strategies for Sustainable Urban Growth.”
   The session explored ways to boost cooperation in adopting sustainable development strategies and reviewed successful experiences in balancing economic growth with the preservation of the urban environment. It also focused on mechanisms for attracting investment and encouraging innovative projects that contribute to comprehensive development.
   Participants discussed regulatory and administrative challenges facing cities amid overlapping crises such as climate change and economic slowdown, emphasizing the importance of directing investments toward high-impact projects, including sustainable transport, clean energy, and smart urban planning, while prioritizing quality of life and providing attractive business environments.
   The session concluded by stressing that the future of local development requires more flexible models, greater openness to partnerships, and effective utilization of local and international resources. It also called for adopting policies that promote social justice and ensure the equitable distribution of development gains.

   -- SPA