The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has shown a new wave of transformation in the last few years. After revealing the ambitious Vision 2030 roadmap in 2016, the kingdom gradually experienced a paradigm shift in its economic, social, and cultural landscape.
Now, only eight years away from the goal, Saudi Arabia is showing significant progress in the implementation of its Vision 2030 goals, and the country’s gigaprojects have a lot to do with this.
In commemoration of Saudi Arabia’s 92nd National Day, Construction Week Middle East has run down seven gigaprojects that are currently transforming the kingdom’s construction landscape, whether through its innovation, sustainability, or central location.
With the help of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), these ambitious projects will elevate Saudi Arabia’s position, showing the world the nation’s geographic wealth, cultural heritage, hospitality, economic ambitions, and aspirations for economic conservation.
NEOM
First unveiled by HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2017, NEOM is Saudi Arabia’s flagship business and tourism development at the Red Sea coast. The $500bn development is a central project in Vision 2030 that will include smart towns and cities, ports and enterprise areas, research centres, sports and entertainment venues, and tourist centres.
NEOM has unveiled three of its projects: OXAGON, its reimagined manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA, its global mountain tourism destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf’s first outdoor skiing; and THE LINE, the city’s newest 200m wide, 170km long, and 500m tall vertical city.
The city will preserve 95% of the natural environment around the site, highlighting mankind’s relationship with the natural world. All energy in NEOM will be 100% renewable — from solar, wind, and hydrogen-based power generation — ensuring a zero-emission, carbon-positive ecosystem.
The Red Sea Project
Located along the Western coast of the kingdom, The Red Sea Project will be a luxury resort destination situated across the islands of a lagoon. The site will encompass an archipelago of more than 90 pristine islands, miles of desert, and mountainous landscapes.
The elements of the project will be guided by The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) and will mitigate carbon dioxide emissions, waste production, and lights and noise pollution to maintain the destination at a level equivalent to a Marine Protected Area.
Upon completion in 2030, The Red Sea Project will comprise 50 resorts, offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms, and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 island resorts.
AlUla
Initiated by the Saudi government to modernise the country, the AlUla project is part of a series of major projects to diversify its economy and raise its profile from an international perspective.
The AlUla project will develop an archaeological, cultural and touristic complex with major investments aiming to make the region KSA’s cultural capital.
Moreover, in accordance with the will of Saudi Arabia and France, AlUla has the ambition to become a flagship project in terms of sustainable development, focused on the preservation of the environment, respectful of history and inclusive of local populations.
Diriyah Gate
Diriyah, a $17bn development project, is a 7km2 mixed-used lifestyle destination to be transformed into a global tourism destination with its main anchors rooted in its historic culture and heritage.
It is inspired by the principles of both new urbanism and historical Najdi architecture typology and will be home to more than twenty luxury and ultra-luxury hospitality venues.
Ultimately, the destination will include museums, galleries, restaurants, retail experiences, public squares, hotels, recreational spaces, residences, educational institutes, and offices.
Under the mandate of Diriyah Gate Development Authority, the project contributes to Vision 2030, by its target of 27 million local and international visitors by 2030. This supports the national tourism strategy which aims to host 100 million worldwide tourists in the Kingdom by 2030.
Qiddiya
Qiddiya will be the capital of entertainment, sports, and arts in Saudi Arabia. Located in Riyadh, Qiddiya will support several goals of Vision 2030 which includes driving economic diversification, job creation, fostering a start-up culture, driving youth and female empowerment, and doubling household spending on domestic leisure and entertainment.
The development will include family-friendly theme parks, sports arenas suitable for international competitions, academies for sports and the arts, concert and entertainment venues, racetracks for motorsport enthusiasts as well as outdoor and adventure activities alongside nature and environment experiences are just some of the fun attractions being developed. Qiddiya will also include a variety of real estate options and community services.
In short, Qiddiya will be a place that enables the youth of Saudi Arabia to fulfill their ambitions. It will be a place where they enjoy, appreciate, aspire, advance and nurture their potential; a place that unlocks opportunities and new professional pathways to help build a more prosperous and progressive society.
ROSHN
Chaired by HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ROSHN aims to increase the rate of ownership to 70% within the next 10 years.
Its objectives include improving the quality of life for the kingdom’s citizens, enhancing access to quality housing in flourishing communities, contributing to GDP and development of local supply, and providing attractive market-rate investment opportunities to partners.
The design of ROSHN is inspired by Salmani architecture, combining urban and traditional design to emphasise Saudi culture and heritage, while also reflecting the best of modern living. In 2021, ROSHN launched its first community ‘SEDRA’, followed by the launch of its 4 million m2 ‘ALAROUS’ development in Jeddah.
AMAALA
Situated along Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast, AMAALA is a planned luxurious wellness, cultural and tourist destination for holistic treatment and personal development. The AMAALA Project will mark its entry into Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 as the project will open new areas of economic activity and drive economic development in the nation.
The development will comprise 2,500 hotel rooms, 700 private residential villas, and a retail area having around 200 outlets.
Located within the Prince Mohammad bin Salman Natural Reserve, the AMAALA project consists of three sub-projects: The Coastal Development, Triple Bay and the AMAALA Island.
The Coastal Development will be set as the hub of arts and culture; the Triple Bay will include a sports academy and resorts for holistic wellness retreats; while the Island will feature luxury villas and artist studios.