Faisal and the Smart City
A fictional Saudi Doll story to read together or enjoy at your own pace.
This browser remembers your place in up to 20 stories per language. Clearing site data removes your saved places.
Chapter 1 of 4
In Riyadh, Faisal drew an imaginary smart city beginning with a library and a garden. He added many screens to the map, then Layan asked how someone unable or unwilling to read a screen would find the way.
Optional device voice
Your device can read the story aloud using a local computer voice, if one is available in this language. Stop it at any time.
Your device has no voice available for this language. Read the story yourself or share it with someone in your family.
Full story transcript
In Riyadh, Faisal drew an imaginary smart city beginning with a library and a garden. He added many screens to the map, then Layan asked how someone unable or unwilling to read a screen would find the way.
Faisal did not say visitors must adapt to his drawing. He asked friends what they needed and added clear signs, resting benches, and wider paths, leaving more than one way to reach the library.
Reema suggested testing the map with cards describing imaginary needs, without collecting information about real people. Each friend chose a role, and the team found places needing clearer descriptions instead of quickly declaring the design a success.
After the trial, Faisal asked for one suggestion to improve the city. Layan said the best change was helping design it. He wrote that a smart city begins with listening, not with the number of screens in its drawing.