Saudi Arabia positions itself as a center for global design and architectural developments,
A wave of ambitious mega projects has begun to reshape the Kingdom’s urban landscape.
These projects are future zero-gravity cities powered by artificial intelligence,
Huge cultural centers, luxury resorts amid ancient archaeological heritage sites, and expanded transportation systems.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is working to harness advanced design and wise architecture to usher in a new era of progress and innovation.
The lead architects and developers were hired for this initiative, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
A group of architectural companies and studios with ambitious architectural visions were sought.
To build a state-of-the-art marine life institute inspired by coral reefs, and carve a subterranean resort into the sandstone rock dwellings of AlUla.
The LINE is the world’s first vertical city that defies the laws of gravity
THE LINE is a revolutionary vertical city concept that will feature car-free linear urban development of hyper-connected, AI-powered communities powered by 100% clean energy.
As part of the ambitious NEOM development project, the city extends over a distance of 170 kilometers and is only 200 meters wide, and is being developed in the Tabuk region in the northwest of the Kingdom with a distinctive mirror facade.
Designed to preserve natural landscapes, this project aims to create communities centered around human well-being.
With a focus on minimizing infrastructure by prioritizing walkability, sustainability and technology integration.
THE LINE will be completely car-free and street-free, giving residents access to nature and all their daily needs within a five-minute walk.
While a fifth of NEOM’s infrastructure is already under construction, plans aim for THE LINE to be completed by 2030.
Trojina is a tourist attraction covered in snow
Trojina, one of the four cities of the giant NEOM project, is a snow-covered tourist attraction in the mountains of Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk region.
It will include activities such as year-round skiing, spas, retail and restaurants, as well as chalets, villas and luxury hotels.
Divided into six themed development zones, Trojina will offer year-round designed experiences built on technology, innovation and eco-tourism principles in line with Saudi Arabia’s vision to preserve its natural environment.
Architectural highlights will include Trojena Ski Resort, a futuristic folded vertical village dubbed “The Vault,”
and the underwater hotel “The Bow,” cliffside residences designed to integrate into the rugged landscape alongside an artificial freshwater lagoon.
The strategic Trojina site, which covers an area of approximately 60 square kilometers and is located 50 kilometers from the Gulf of Aqaba, features altitudes of 1,500 to 1,600 meters and sub-zero winter temperatures.
The megacity is scheduled to be completed in 2026, and is also scheduled to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
By 2030, it is expected to host 700,000 visitors annually and have up to 7,000 residents.
The Red Sea Project: Redefining luxury ecotourism
The Red Sea project is located along the pristine coast of the Red Sea on the western coast of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
It is a luxury tourism project extending over an area of more than 28,000 square kilometers.
The project, which includes an archipelago of more than 90 islands, miles of vast desert and dramatic volcanic landscapes, aims to
To create a sustainable destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
The master plan will be developed with the design of resorts, clean beaches, and a range of marine activities across the site’s 22 islands.
Development revolves around preserving and highlighting the region’s rich cultural heritage as well as its natural beauty.
The initial phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, and the masterplan is scheduled to be completed by 2030.
Oxagon: a floating logistics center
Upon completion in 2030, Oxagon at NEOM will become the world’s largest floating structure with a core development area of 48 square kilometres.
The coastal city is located in the Red Sea directly south of the Suez Canal.
The master plan of the coastal city was designed as an octagon developed partly on land and mostly at sea.
By accelerating the ambitions of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the city will become a hub for innovation, trade, and advanced and clean technologies.
As a logistics hub for both NEOM and the rest of the world,
it will revolutionize global manufacturing with its state-of-the-art factories, development and manufacturing facilities and logistics-related sites – all powered by 100% clean energy.
It will be home to the world’s first integrated physical and digital port and supply chain ecosystem.
Facilitating unparalleled connectivity to global markets, while offering predominantly waterfront housing for 90,000 residents.
Sindalh: NEOM’s first development project
“Sindalh”, a seahorse-shaped island off the coast of NEOM in the Tabuk region, will be
A luxury, technology-based tourist destination covering an area of 840,000 square metres.
With a marina comprising 86 berths and an additional 75 buoys, Sindalah is expected to provide a yachting hub for boat owners and yachting enthusiasts.
In addition, a luxury resort extends this offer.
Guests will have access to luxury retail, spas, the beach, yacht club, spa and wellness centre, sports facilities and cultural event venues across the island.
All of the main services and facilities will be just a five-minute walk from each other.
Without the need for roads or cars.
In the wake of NEOM’s sustainability initiatives and its dedication to preserving the natural beauty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
The destination will be powered by advanced technology.
With the development almost complete, Sindalh is scheduled to open in 2024, and the project aims to attract more than 2,400 visitors per day by 2028.
Diriyah Gate: The new cultural capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The mixed-use urban development aims to revive the historic city of Diriyah, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
As the new cultural capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This is done by preserving its heritage as well as incorporating vibrant contemporary elements.
The project, led by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, is part of the Public Investment Fund’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to bring 27 million visitors by 2030.
Located just 20 minutes from downtown Riyadh, the masterplan will introduce several new museums, hotels, retail space and leisure facilities.
In addition to residential living spaces that showcase more than 300 years of Saudi Arabia’s history.
By combining traditional Najdi architecture with modern urbanism,
the developments will enhance the authentic heritage of the landmark while generating tourism.
The Turaif area is located at the heart of the project, as it is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is a city built of mud bricks and was the first capital of the Saudi dynasty.
AlUla: Breathing new life into an ancient heritage site
AlUla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for two hundred years, is undergoing developments that will transform its expanses of desert,
sand mountains and ancient cultural sites into a vibrant cultural oasis.
The scheme has already seen the revival of ancient archaeological sites as contemporary cultural spaces,
and the development of several luxury hotels and galleries.
Amaala: A wellness destination inspired by the Red Sea
The comprehensive development project will form a wellness destination inspired by the arts, self-transformation and the purity of the Red Sea within the Crown Prince Nature Reserve.
While preserving the region’s untouched natural resources, it will include luxury resorts from world-famous hotel brands,
Art galleries, performance venues, an arts academy, and more than 800 residential facilities.
In addition to a marine life institute inspired by coral.
Qiddiya: The largest entertainment city in the world
As part of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, this giant entertainment project will become the largest entertainment city in the world.
With an area of more than 376 square kilometers.
Located just 45 kilometers southwest of Riyadh, Qiddiya will benefit from a rich Saudi heritage.
To include a group of leading tourist attractions, including parks, sports arenas and cultural venues.
A new network of transportation systems
As Saudi Arabia positions itself as a leading tourism, infrastructure and residential centre,
The various transportation networks work to enhance connectivity amid the rapid growth witnessed by the Kingdom.
In line with the National Transport Strategy Initiative, the upcoming Red Sea International Airport will help make the city a leading global hub for creativity and innovation.
An environmentally friendly design was created based on the natural beauty of the region’s desert landscape
In line with sustainability goals, it aims to rethink the traditional station typology.
The project, with an area of 57 square kilometers, will include facilities for seaplanes and helicopters.
In addition to residential, entertainment and retail outlets.
The design also uses shaded areas and natural ventilation, and runs entirely on renewable energy.
Riyadh Metro
The Riyadh Metro, which is part of the King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project in Riyadh, is
A transformative project that includes six metro lines covering 176 kilometers and 85 stations.
As the largest transportation network project in the world and the hub of the city’s public transportation system,
It will cost $22.5 billion to build and will be fully operational by 2024.
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