Knowledge Economic City (KEC), the pioneering publicly listed master developer, has received dual recognition at the Global Economics Awards 2025 for its innovation and excellence in urban development.
KEC, operating under the supervision of the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority, plays a key role in Madinah’s urban and economic transformation. The company has won two awards, for:
Most Innovative Iconic Design – Madinah Gate
Best Real Estate Developer in Integrated Urban Destination Development – Saudi Arabia.
The awards were presented during the Global Economics Awards ceremony, an international platform recognizing excellence across economic development, infrastructure, and real estate, where KEC also participated as an official sponsor, showcasing its latest developments and progress.
Madinah Gate is a cornerstone project within Knowledge Economic City’s master plan and the first retail destination directly connected to the Haramain High-Speed Rail Station. It is also the Kingdom’s first transit-oriented development (TOD) of its kind, with total investments reaching $166.8 million (SAR 620 million).
Strategically located, Madinah Gate connects residents and visitors to key landmarks across Madinah by seamlessly integrating mobility, hospitality, and retail within a single urban destination. Phase One features more than 23,000 square metres of leasable space, along with the DoubleTree by Hilton Madinah Gate, offering 325 hotel rooms.
The recognition for ‘Best Real Estate Developer in Integrated Urban Destination Development’ highlights KEC’s comprehensive capabilities across governance, strategic partnerships, adherence to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, and long-term asset management, reinforcing Madinah’s positioning as a sustainable, future-ready city.
Hazem Elbanna Acting CEO – Knowledge Economic City
“This dual recognition at Global Economics Awards underscores our ambition to position Madinah as a global model for integrated urban development through the creation of vibrant destinations that place people at the heart of the experience, while blending innovation, culture, and spirituality within cohesive environments. Madinah Gate stands as a clear expression of our vision to deliver places that celebrate heritage, enhance quality of life, and generate sustainable economic value, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.”
The Global Economics Awards recognition underscores Knowledge Economic City’s position as a leading developer of sustainable, human-centric urban destinations in the Kingdom. It also reaffirms KEC’s role in supporting Saudi Vision 2030 and positioning Madinah as a global destination that balances heritage with innovative economic growth.
