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Details

Steering a New Government Urban Innovation Lab through an Organizational Strategic Plan

The Madinah Development Authority (MDA)’s Smart City program is developing an urban innovation and research lab to tackle key challenges faced by the city - Madinah’s rapid growth and urban development exacerbated by tourism targets, a still-nascent urban innovation ecosystem, and limited avenues for international knowledge exchange. My team at Gehl, with MIT as a research collaborator, created a comprehensive strategic plan for the Lab and implemented a digital and place-based pilot project as a proof of concept.

Client

Smart City Program, Madinah Development Authority

Location

Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Year

2025

THEMES

organizational strategy, stakeholder mapping, workshop design & production, cultural heritage, economic value capture, active mobility, climate resilience, urban innovation, academic partnerships, immersion tours

I co-authored the strategic plan - a foundational document to guide the Lab and procure federal funding for its launch - and supported stakeholder engagement in Madinah. Drawing on my experience working within complex organizations, I created preliminary governance and operating models for the Lab. I also organized a study tour to NYC that included speakers from the U.S. and Canada and a workshop at Gehl's office. These activities helped shape the Lab's mission and network.

24

Potential Global Collaborators Introduced

24

Potential Global Collaborators Introduced

24

Potential Global Collaborators Introduced

10+

Government Stakeholders

10+

Government Stakeholders

10+

Government Stakeholders

7

Month Project Timeline

7

Month Project Timeline

7

Month Project Timeline

3+

Time Zones Across the Team

3+

Time Zones Across the Team

3+

Time Zones Across the Team

HIGHLIGHTS

Madinah Government Stakeholder Meetings and Presentation to the Mayor

In Madinah, we socialized initial thinking around the Lab and its initiatives with government stakeholders for feedback. Our final presentation to the Mayor successfully received his green light to move forward with the Lab's development.

Madinah Government Stakeholder Meetings and Presentation to the Mayor

Madinah Government Stakeholder Meetings and Presentation to the Mayor

Client Study Visits to NYC and MIT

Gehl and MIT co-led study visits to MIT’s Media Lab and Gehl, for a few days of intention setting, inspiration, and network cultivation. Discussions with leading academics at MIT and invited urban experts at Gehl helped the team refine the Lab’s broader goals and initiatives.

Client Study Visits to NYC and MIT

Client Study Visits to NYC and MIT

Strategic Plan Development

Following immersive research and stakeholder engagement, the Strategic Plan laid out the Lab’s mission and goals, core research focuses, key initiatives, governance and operations models, and implementation plan for its inaugural 3 years.

Strategic Plan Development

Strategic Plan Development

Testimonial

This collaboration represents the start of a richer exchange, blending local and global expertise, with Madinah serving as a living laboratory to experiment with modern, technology-driven approaches to urban planning.

Abdulmajeed Mangara, Smart City Program Director & Client