Diplomatic Quarters
This project was an immense land development project overseen by Mr. Totonji under Riyadh Development Authority in the Saudi Government office to transfer all embassies from Jedda to Riyadh. A parcel of land in Riyadh was to be converted into a working area where the diplomatic quarters of various nations would have their embassies and reside. Given the sensitive nature of the data and people there, the area was protected by a 40 foot berm that was trucked in from the surrounding areas. In addition, the infrastructure included the roads, electrical grid, water supply, sewage system, water towers, and drainage system. Mr. Totonji was responsible for directing and inspecting the diplomatic quarters infrastructure.
Mr. Totonji, worked very closely with a huge team of American, British, European, Korean and Japanese workers from 15 companies to accomplish this herculean task. The task was completed in 1987. Total expense for this project was over $500 Million dollars. Mr. Totonji considers building this city from desert soil one of his life’s great accomplishments.
Today, the Diplomatic Quarters are considered the most unique town in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
From its inception, the Diplomatic Quarters was treated as an urban project within the capital city’s development, with the aim of achieving maximum integration, interaction, and coordination with the rest of Riyadh. Its site is on the western edge of the city, bordering the Wadi Hanifah, and its basic organizing principle, in terms of land use, is a central spine linking individual neighborhood units.
