From $500 billion futuristic Neom city and AlUla cultural centre to world’s largest linear park, 17 projects shaping kingdom’s future
From giant cubes to luxury seaside resorts, the list of megaprojects in Saudi Arabia continues to grow.
The kingdom’s transformation under the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on hydrocarbons, is changing the landscape of its cities and surrounding areas.
The Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund which manages more than $620 billion in assets, is at the heart of the Vision 2030 initiative.
Several of PIF’s entities are leading the transformation with megaprojects. Some of the projects are of such scale and ambition that they are defined as giga-projects.
The National examines 17 megaprojects expected to shape the future of the kingdom.
Neom
A $500 billion futuristic megacity in the north-west of the kingdom, Neom aims to fulfil all its power requirements through clean energy.
The plan for Neom is a city where public transport and autonomous vehicles will be residents’ main modes of travel.
Eleven projects have been announced within Neom, including The Line, a 170-kmcity, and a luxury eco-tourism destination, Zardun.
Red Sea Project
The Red Sea Project is set to add another layer to the region’s booming tourism industry. The luxury regenerative tourism destination on the west coast, in the Tabuk province, is surrounded by the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef system.
The project spans more than 28,000 square kilometres and includes an archipelago of more than 90 islands, dormant volcanoes, mountain canyons and archaeological sites.
The Red Sea International Airport opened in September, with domestic flights now operating from Riyadh and Jeddah.
AlUla
A vast area estimated to be the size of Belgium, AlUla is planned to transform the region into one of the kingdom’s cultural capitals.
The heritage site, with its preserved tombs and sandstone outcrops, is already a popular tourist destination and is served by Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz International Airport, about 25km to the south-east. The Royal Commission for AlUla was set up in 2017 to preserve and develop the 2,000-year-old archaeological and historical site.
AlUla is known as the home of Mada’in Salih, Saudi Arabia’s first Unesco World Heritage site.
Last year, the RCU signed an agreement with France’s Centre Pompidou to develop an art museum in AlUla.
Diriyah
Diriyah is a $62.2bn billion development project that aims to showcase Saudi Arabia’s history.
Founded around 1446, Diriyah served as the home of the Saudi royal family, and later, the capital of the First Saudi State. In 1824, the Second Saudi State was founded in Riyadh, just to the south of Diriyah.
Diriyah Gate Development Authority is restoring many sites in the area, including Unesco-listed Al Turaif District, the mud-brick city. The authority plans to complete restoration of all sites by next year.
Diriyah Company, the developer behind the giga-project, announced plans to create King Salman Boulevard, a 1.9km avenue inspired by the Champs-Elysees in Paris, and the Royal Diriyah Opera House, a first for the kingdom.
Qiddiya Project
Qiddiya, on the outskirts of Riyadh, is set to be one of the largest entertainment destinations in the world, spanning 334 square kilometres.
It will have a Six Flags theme park, a Jack Nicklaus championship golf course, a water park, a speed park and a sports stadium. In December, Qiddiya Investment Company unveiled plans to open the world’s first gaming and esports district as part of the project.
Sports Boulevard
Launched in 2019, the Sports Boulevard is planned to become the largest linear park in the world.
It will be more than 135km long, extending through Riyadh, connecting Wadi Hanifa in the West to Wadi Al-Sulai in the east through Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road.
It will have paths for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as horse trails and other sports facilities.
Amaala
Spanning more than 4,000 square kilometres on Saudi Arabia’s north-western coast, Amaala aims to be a yearround destination focusing on luxury tourism and wellness.
When completed in 2027, it will have more than 25 hotels, luxury homes, 200 fine-dining outlets and a host of wellness and recreational facilities, set across three communities.
The first phase of development, Triple Bay, is set for completion by the middle of this year and will consist of six hotels. The development will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and aims to have a zero-carbon footprint.
King Salman Park
Unveiled in 2019, King Salman Park will be one of the largest city parks in the world. Located
at the former Riyadh Air Base site, the park is envisioned as Riyadh’s “green lung”, with sports amenities, a golf course and an equestrian centre.
Spanning 13.4 square kilometres, King Salman Park will be five times larger than London’s Hyde Park.
Work has already started on the Visitors Pavilion and the Royal Arts Complex.
Jeddah Central
Jeddah Central is a $20 billion project to develop 5.7 million square metres in Jeddah comprising an industrial museum, an opera house, a sports stadium and a oceanarium.
The first phase of the development, accounting for 45 per cent of the project, is set to be finished by 2027.
Marafy
Roshn Group has announced Marafy, a mixed-use megaproject north of Jeddah that includes an 11km canal.
The 100m-wide navigable canal, the first in Saudi Arabia, will be flanked by promenades and residential and commercial districts. The canal will create a waterfront comparable in size to Chicago, Hamburg and central London, Roshn Group said. Water taxis will provide a direct link to King Abdulaziz International Airport.
Masar
Masar is a 1.2 square kilometre urban development project in Makkah. The 100 billion riyal ($26.6 billion) project features a 3.6km-long and 300-metre-wide central pedestrian boulevard leading to the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
Hotels, commercial and retail facilities, residential buildings and public amenities are being developed either side of the walkway.
Non-profit city
Launched in 2021, Mohammed bin Salman Non-profit City, or Misk, in Riyadh is a district that will act as an incubator for youth volunteer groups, as well as local and international non-profit institutions.
It will also house venture capital companies and investors who will support and incubate talent and businesses.
Spanning 3.4 square kilometres, the city will host the Misk Foundation and its subsidiaries, schools, academies, local and international institutions and entrepreneurs.
Thakher Makkah
The Thakher Makkah project consists of about 100 plots that will be used for hotels, residential, commercial, and service-related projects.
The total value of the project, which spans 320,000 square metres, is 26 billion riyals.
New Murabba
Billed as Riyadh’s new downtown, New Murabba is a planned mixed-use development in the north-west of the city, at the intersection of King Salman and King Khalid roads.
At the heart of the project will be a huge cube structure called the Mukaab, built in a modern Najdi architectural style.
It is set to be the world’s first immersive destination, offering virtual technology experiences.
New Murabba will have more than 25 million square metres of floor area, feature more than 104,000 homes, 9,000 hotel rooms and vast retail space.
The project will also include a museum, a university, a multipurpose immersive theatre and more than 80 cultural and entertainment venues. The project is set to be completed by 2030.
Expo 2030 Riyadh site
Riyadh’s Expo 2030 site will cover about seven square kilometres and feature a “loop of the world” avenue connecting more than 200 pavilions.
Located near the under-construction King Salman International Airport, the site is designed as a futuristic city with a modern green oasis.
Riyadh Metro
Work continues on Riyadh Metro, a $22.5 billion project that will consist of six metro lines connecting 85 stations across a 176km network.
The project is expected to be completed this year.
Jeddah Metro
Jeddah’s planned metro, consisting of three lines, is scheduled to be completed next year.
The first phase will link King Abdulaziz International Airport with the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, central Al-Ruwais and Al-Khozam.
The $60 billion network was scheduled to be completed by 2020 but has been delayed due to hold-ups in the completion of Jeddah’s bus network.