Saudi Arabia is investing $1 trillion in infrastructure projects across the country. The majority of the megaprojects should be completed by 2030.
King Abdullah City:
With a total development area of 173 km² (66.8 sq mi), the city is located along the coast of the Red Sea, around 100 km north of Jeddah, the commercial hub of Saudi Arabia. The city is also approximately an hour and 20 minutes away from the city of Mecca, 3 hours from Medina by car and an hour away from all Middle Eastern capital cities by plane. The total cost of the city is around SR 207 billion, with the project being built by Emaar Properties. A Tadawul-listed company created from Emaar Properties, a Dubai-based public joint stock company and one of the world’s largest real estate companies, and SAGIA (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority) which is the main facilitator of the project.[citation needed]
The city, along with another five economic cities, is a part of an ambitious "10x10" program to place Saudi Arabia among the world's top ten competitive investment destinations by the year 2010, planned by SAGIA. The first stage of the city is completed in 2010 and the whole city is planned to be fully completed by 2020. The city aims to diversify the nation's oil-based economy by bringing direct foreign and domestic investments. The city is also aspires to help create up to one million jobs. Upon completion, KAEC is said to be larger than Washington DC.
Riyadh Metro:
The Riyadh Metro is a rapid transit system under construction in the city of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. It will consist of six metro lines spanning a total length of 176 kilometers, with 85 stations. The project will cost $22.5 billion to build. It is scheduled for a light opening in 2019, and the full network is expected to be fully operational in 2021.
Jeddah Economic City:
Jeddah Economic City, is a 5,202,570 m2 (56,000,000 sq ft) project approved for construction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The project is designed by the Kingdom Holding Company, a firm owned by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. Jeddah Economic City will host both commercial and residential development including homes, hotels, and offices.
The centerpiece of the development will be Jeddah Tower, planned to be the tallest building in the world upon its completion. The entire project is estimated to cost $20 billion (SR75 billion). Jeddah Economic City is a three-phase project. Jeddah Tower will be built in phase one, infrastructure for the project will be created in phase two, the third phase will be the profits.
Al-Haram Mosque Expansion:
In 2008, the Saudi government under King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz announced an expansion of the mosque, involving the expropriation of land to the north and northwest of the mosque covering 300,000 square meters (3,200,000 sq ft). At that time, the mosque covered an area of 356,800 square meters (3,841,000 sq ft) including indoor and outdoor praying spaces. 40 billion riyals (US$10.6 billion) was allocated for the expansion project.
Jubail City Center:
The redevelopment of Jubail City Center will revitalize the city and bring 100,000 jobs. Upon completion, Jubail City will be the largest industrial city in the world, slightly larger than Shenzhen, China.
I do not own any of the footage, all rights reserved to the owners.
Subscribe for more videos!