Riyad Muazzen: Shaping Sustainable Urban Landscapes and Public Spaces in Saudi Arabia

Riyad Muazzen is a highly experienced professional engineer and landscape architect whose career reflects a strong commitment to urban quality, sustainability, and project excellence. With more than 13 years of experience in landscape architecture, project governance, and technical leadership, he has helped shape major public realm, streetscape, and green infrastructure projects across Saudi Arabia.

Leading Green Urban Development

Riyad currently serves as Senior Landscape Architect at NHC, where he is the designated Project Manager for the Green Areas package within the AL-GHOROUB Project in Al Madinah. His role includes leading the development of more than 495,000 m² of landscaped and public-realm spaces, coordinating multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality urban environments.

This work aligns with the broader direction of Saudi Arabia’s urban greening agenda, where public spaces, neighborhood parks, and streetscapes are being expanded to improve livability, environmental quality, and community well-being. Riyad’s role places him directly in the middle of that transformation, helping deliver the kind of green infrastructure that supports healthier and more sustainable cities.

A Career Built On Public Realm Delivery

Before joining NHC, Riyad spent six years with Jeddah Municipality, where he advanced from Senior Landscape Architect to Deputy Manager and then Manager of Main Roads Landscaping Department. In that capacity, he led a team of 13 professionals and oversaw landscaping projects across the city, ensuring quality, regulatory compliance, and effective coordination with contractors and consultants.

His municipal leadership included high-profile initiatives such as Al Saja Park restoration and Jeddah main streets landscaping. He also worked on maintenance and irrigation systems to enhance the city’s streetscape, reflecting a practical understanding of both design and long-term operational sustainability.

Technical Depth Across Major Projects

Riyad’s experience reaches beyond municipal landscaping into major infrastructure and landmark projects. At Rabya Trading & Agriculture Co. Ltd., he managed technical work for the BASMAT JEDDAH GARDENS PROJECT, overseeing shop drawings, design, BOQ preparation, and 3D visual work. He also supervised the architect team for the New King Faisal Specialist Hospital Project, focusing on technical documentation and design coordination.

Earlier, at Saudi Oger Ltd., he served as Zone Manager – Architect Landscaping on the Haramain High Speed Rail Station Project in Jeddah, coordinating engineers, foremen, and laborers while working closely with consultants and contractors to keep the project moving smoothly. At the same time, he also worked as a Landscape Site Engineer and Landscape Architect on projects such as New King Abdulaziz International Airport and the King Abdullah Monument, where he prepared BOQs, supervised teams, and used tools like AutoCAD and Revit for design and visualization.

A Blend Of Design And Governance

What stands out in Riyad’s career is his ability to combine landscape design with project governance and technical leadership. He is not only concerned with how a space looks, but also with how it is delivered, maintained, and aligned with standards. That makes him effective in roles that require coordination between consultants, contractors, city authorities, and multidisciplinary teams.

His top strengths include:

• Landscape architecture and urban design.

• Project governance and management.

• Technical leadership and team supervision.

• Quality assurance and compliance.

• Sustainable green space delivery.

• Coordination across stakeholders and service providers.

Education And Professional Credentials

Riyad holds a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from King Abdulaziz University and a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from King Saud University, a combination that gives him both design depth and city-scale planning perspective. He also holds the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and is a Mostadam Accredited Professional, reinforcing his ability to lead projects with both discipline and sustainability in mind.

This educational and professional foundation supports his leadership in projects that are not only technically sound, but also responsive to long-term environmental and urban development goals. It also reflects the growing importance of landscape architecture in Saudi Arabia’s transformation agenda.

Why His Work Matters

Saudi cities are investing heavily in green infrastructure, public spaces, and urban livability as part of broader sustainability goals. Projects like Green Riyadh and other city beautification and afforestation efforts show how important landscape professionals are to shaping healthier, cooler, and more resilient urban environments.

Riyad Muazzen’s career fits squarely within that national direction. The Saudi Leaders proudly recognize him as a respected landscape and project leader whose work continues to enrich Saudi cities through thoughtful design, strong governance, and lasting environmental impact.