The Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU), previously the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), is excited to announce its role as a supporting partner for the Saudi Skyscrapers & High-Rise Buildings Conference, taking place on 26–27 April 2026 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center in Saudi Arabia.
As Saudi Arabia accelerates its ambitious urban development plans under Vision 2030, skyscrapers have become symbols of progress, sustainability, and global leadership. In aligning our commitment to advancing research, dialogue, and best practices in vertical urbanism worldwide, CVU leaders whose expertise spans design excellence, construction management, urban strategy and innovative practice will participate as speakers in the program.
Keynotes opening for the conference on 26 April are Antony Wood, Director of Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism (MTBVU) at the Illinois Institute of Technology, and previous CTBUH CEO (2006-2022) and Viviana Muscettola, Director at Zaha Hadid Architects.
Recognized internationally for guiding research and knowledge exchange on tall buildings and vertical urbanism, Wood’s address will look at The Future of Vertical Urbanism. The architectural narrative is further enriched by keynote speaker Muscettola, who will speak about Fluidity & Resilience in the Sky, and talk about the synergy between visionary design and contextual response, illustrating how contemporary architectural thinking can inform the next generation of vertical developments in climates and cultures across the globe.
On the second day, keynote speaker Steve Watts, Partner at Turner & Townsend alinea and Trustee Emeritus of CVU’s Board of Trustees will discuss The Economics of Verticality: Delivering Value and Sustainability. Watts brings decades of global experience in cost consultancy and tall building delivery. His strategic insights into project structuring and innovation in complex mega-projects will set a vital context for discussions on sustainable high-rise growth in the region.
Additionally speaking is CVU KSA Director, Dr. Fahad Alotaibi on a panel about Policy & Localized Urban Growth. Dr. Alotaibi brings a nuanced perspective on architecture and environmental design rooted in both academic inquiry and practice. An architect and educator with deep engagement in the Gulf’s cultural and urban transformations, he will contribute to conversations around the social and human dimensions of high-rise environments, particularly in rapidly evolving urban contexts.
We look forward to a dynamic program that reflects a shared ambition to foster global dialogue that bridges innovation, sustainability, and urban policy.
Continuing this dialogue, CVU will return to the region in September to host its annual VU Summit, Density & Identity: Shaping Skylines, Elevating Culture, taking place in Riyadh and Dubai. Together, these gatherings reinforce the Council’s dedication to advancing thoughtful, context-driven vertical urbanism at a pivotal moment for cities in the Middle East and beyond.
See the program for Saudi Skyscrapers & High-Rise Buildings Conference.