In a bold move toward digital transformation, Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company (NHC) has inked a strategic agreement with South Korea’s NAVER Cloud to deliver advanced smart city solutions through the Balady platform. The collaboration taps into digital twin technology to reimagine how Saudi cities are built, managed, and experienced.
The announcement was made public by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and celebrated at a formal signing ceremony. Key government leaders, including Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Mr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, and NHC Chairman, Mr. Ihab Al-Hashani attended the event.
A Smarter Future, One City at a Time
The core idea behind this partnership is simple but powerful: use cutting-edge technology to create smarter, more efficient cities. Cities that eventually improve the quality of life for Saudi citizens and align with Vision 2030 goals.
NAVER Cloud, known globally for its cloud infrastructure and AI prowess, will integrate smart city technologies into Balady. Balady is Saudi Arabia’s digital platform for municipal services. This is not just a technical upgrade, it’s a strategic leap forward in how Saudi Arabia is building the future of urban living.
What This Partnership Will Deliver
Through this collaboration, NHC and NAVER Cloud will introduce a wide array of innovations. These programs will support Saudi Arabia’s evolving infrastructure needs:
- ✅ 3D City Mapping – Detailed visual simulations to support urban planning, traffic optimization, and infrastructure development
- ✅ Digital Twins – Real-time, AI-powered virtual models of city environments for better decision-making
- ✅ Flood Management – Predictive modeling to mitigate environmental risks and support emergency response
- ✅ Smart Control Centers – Centralized monitoring hubs for city-wide systems and public services
- ✅ Enhanced GIS Integration – Deep data layers to optimize municipal planning and operations
- ✅ Advanced Digital Capabilities – Strengthened cloud infrastructure and AI-driven insights to power Baladi
Aligning with Vision 2030
This initiative is part of NHC’s broader mission to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to:
- Promote sustainability
- Drive economic diversification
- Improve citizens’ quality of life
- Embrace next-gen technologies across all sectors
Speaking on the partnership, NHC reaffirmed its dedication to innovative, world-class systems that enhance municipal and housing services while building smarter, more connected communities.
NAVER Cloud echoed this sentiment, noting that the deal reflects their ongoing strategy to expand globally by supporting meaningful, tech-forward projects that impact real-world urban development.
Looking Ahead
As cities grow and challenges mount, the NHC–NAVER Cloud partnership aims to set a new standard for smart infrastructure in the region. With tools like digital twins and real-time data models, Saudi Arabia is not just catching up, it’s leading the charge into the future of urban living.