In recent years, Saudi Arabia has seen significant changes in many areas. This change is included in the Saudi Vision 2030 plan. The kingdom’s goal is to diversify the economy, drive social reform, increase tourism, and create a vibrant society. This article discusses the main objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, initiatives, challenges, and their potential impact on the future of the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in infrastructure development, which promotes economic diversification and balances its growing population. Major projects include renewable energy facilities, transportation networks, the creation of new cities, and the expansion of ports and airports. This infrastructure investment aims to create jobs, enhance connectivity, and facilitate economic growth.
This article will explore some of the ongoing and upcoming Saudi Arabia Mega Projects that are worth paying close attention to.
Top Upcoming Mega Projects in Saudi Arabia 2024
1. NEOM
It is one of the largest and most controversial Saudi mega projects of Neom being developed in Saudi Arabia.
Neom will have an area of approximately 10,200 square miles, of which four areas have been declared so far; It also includes a 170-kilometer-long city called The Line. Planned areas in The Line include an octagonal-shaped port city of OXAGON, a ski resort called Trozena, and an island resort named Sindalah.
Scroll down For detailed information about The Line, OXAGON, Trojena, and Sindalah projects.
2. The Line
The line is set to begin construction in 2021 as part of the ongoing development of NEOM, one of the world’s largest and most complex infrastructure projects.
The project spans 170 kilometers and is an innovative urban development featuring multiple interconnected communities and natural and pedestrian-friendly spaces. It treats people and the environment as paramount; Large tracts of land have been designated for conservation. Covering 34 square kilometres, The Line connects the Red Sea coast to northwest Saudi Arabia.
3. OXAGON
OXAGON, the world’s largest floating structure, will be built in the south-western part of Saudi Arabia in what officials say will be NEOM, a future new megacity that will be 33 times larger than New York. Half of OXAGON will float in the Red Sea approximately 500 meters deep.
NEOM will invest more than 7.5 billion Saudi riyals (about $2 billion) in the development of the sustainable port.
4. TROJENA
The new year-round tourist destination will feature a ski village, super luxury family and wellness resorts, as well as several retail outlets and restaurants. This will include organizing sports, art, music, and cultural programs. By 2030, TROJENA will attract 700,000 visitors and 7,000 permanent residents to live in the projects and surrounding residential districts.
NEOM’s commitment will be followed in all construction work, leading to long-term sustainability and reduced environmental stress. By 2030, TROJENA is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs and contribute SAR3 billion to the state’s GDP. TROJENA is in the center of NEOM, 50 kilometers from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. It is divided into six districts, this will be Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax, and Fun.
5. SINDALAH
SINDALAH will be the first tourist destination of the megacity. The SINDALAH Island resort, scheduled to open in 2024, will be the first part of the NEOM mega-development in north-eastern Saudi Arabia. This beautiful island spread over 840,000 square metres, will emphasize preserving the natural beauty, much of which is untouched, through a strong rewilding program.
It will have a large yachting marina, an entertainment centre, a beach club, several expensive hotels and expensive shops. Tourists can make the most of their trip by going kayaking, kite surfing and water skiing in SINDALAH. There will also be good opportunities for scuba diving.
6. Mukaab, The Cube
A modern city named ‘New Murabba’ is being built in Saudi Arabia. This city will be completely different. “New Murabba” city may completed By 2030. It has become ‘Mukaab’, a 400 meter long building in the heart of the city. The building will form “the world’s largest and most modern downtown”, which will be built at the center of the New Murabba project.
Mukaab, The building in the center of Riyadh will have more than 100,000 residential units, 9,000 hotels, and 1.4 million square meters of diverse malls, offices, dozens of theaters, and cultural venues.
7. King Salman International Airport
The King Salman International Airport project will be ready to serve 120 million passengers in the capital of Riyadh by 2030. The King Salman International Airport aims to handle 3.5 million tons of cargo and 185 million passengers by 2050.
King Salman International Airport will have an area of approximately 57 km². It has six runways, 12 km² of supporting services, and residential, recreational, and commercial properties. The new airport project is expected to create 103,000 direct and domestic employment opportunities to contribute to achieving Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goal.
8. King Salman Park
The new 13.3 km² King Salman Park on the grounds of Riyadh’s old airport will be the world’s largest urban park.
The master plan of King Salman Park calls for new mixed-use developments around central public open spaces. It will coalesce into a sustainable and dynamic urban district, meeting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. The development is one of several ambitious multibillion-dollar projects launched by the Saudi government, which seeks to make Riyadh more liveable and internationally attractive.
9. King Salman Energy Park
King Salman Energy Park project is 50 square kilometers and will be built in three phases, which will be near industrial areas, highways, and railway networks.
SPARK or King Salman Energy Park aims to provide a variety of services and products, such as exploration, production, refining, petrochemicals, conventional power, water production, treatment and drilling. Completion of the project by 2035 is expected to generate an annual increase of $6 billion in GDP in addition to 100,000 direct and indirect employment.
10. The Red Sea Project
The project is located in Tabuk province with an area of 28,000 km², between the cities of Umluj and Al-Wajah on the west coast of Saudi Arabia. The region has 90 untouched offshore islands, 200 km of Red Sea coastline, beaches, deserts, mountains, and volcanoes. It also includes the Al Waz Lagoon, a pristine area (2,081 km2) that holds valuable habitats (coral reefs, sea grasses, and mangroves) and global conservation-eligible species.
11. Red Sea International Airport
The airport will be located 15 km away from the Red Sea. The airport is an attractive structure built by the British architectural firm Foster + Partners. Five pods for arrivals and departures are arranged around a central area. The design aims to reflect the desert area.
The airport aims to serve one million passengers a year by 2030, including tourists visiting the resort destination The Red Sea Project.
12. Qiddiya
Qiddiya will be developed on the outskirts of Riyadh, the project will have 60,000 buildings, covering an area of 360 square km and eventually having a population of more than 600,000 people.
Qiddiya city is also expected to create more than 325,000 jobs, generating a nominal GDP of 135 billion riyals ($36 billion).
The project is also expected to attract around 48 million people every year.
13. The Jeddah Tower
This building is being built in Jeddah city. The tallest building in the world is Burj Khalifa in UAE. Saudi Arabia is building the Jeddah Tower, which will compete with it. It was closed some time ago. But it has been rebuilt again. It will be 1 km (1000 m) and 172 meters taller than Burj Khalifa.
This building will be the tallest in Jeddah Economic Company. It will have luxurious homes, office space, serviced apartments, and luxury condominiums.
14. Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City (MISK)
The Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City will built in Riyadh and will designed to empower Saudi youth. Authentic and digitalized, an ecosystem centered on the human, where young and creative minds learn, innovate, live, and work. The city will have a MISK Foundation, and its subsidiaries, schools, academies, local and foreign institutions, and entrepreneurs will be invited.
15. MASAR
The MASAR project is the center of Islamic religion and culture in the holy city of Mecca. The project comprises more than 1.2 million square meters of new construction connected by a central pedestrian walkway leading to the Al-Haram Mosque.
MASAR Development, a signature urban development project, linking Al Haram by a long pedestrian boulevard with hotels, commercial and retail facilities, residential buildings, car parking, public spaces, and public facilities to support religious, social, and commercial events for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and locals.
16. ROSHN
The ROSHN project was Launched in 2020, the project aims to achieve 70% homeownership across the country by 2030. The ROSHN Kingdom is moving forward as a giga-project under the Public Investment Fund, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of all citizens. ROSHN, a national community developer will build outstanding neighborhoods to satisfy the Saudi people’s increasing need for their residences, as well as for exciting and delightful places to live.
17. Jeddah Central
The project was launched in 2021. The Jeddah Central Project aims to preserve Jeddah’s vast heritage while incorporating modernity. The more than $19.9 billion worth of projects will create a 5.7 million square meter development in the center of Jeddah, combining four important sites (Opera House, Museum, Sports Stadium, and Oceanarium), a marina, beach resorts, restaurants, cafes, diverse shopping options and modern Will include residential areas. The plan adopts world-class sustainability standards and reflects the Hijazi essence of Jeddah in today’s interpretation.
The development will be done in three phases. The first phase will account for 45% of the development, which will be completed by the end of 2027. Apart from the public beach, it will also include an opera house, stadium, and oceanarium. Highlights: The next 36% of the development will be completed in 2030, with a focus on creating a vibrant economic, cultural, and entertainment hub.
18. Saudi Downtown
The Saudi Downtown Project aims to expand the potential of the Kingdom’s most promising regions, diversify the economy, and boost non-oil GDP growth through the development of modern mixed-use downtowns and destinations with diverse local cultures.
The project aims to transform these cities into exciting and vibrant places to live, work and play. The project is dedicated to unlocking the full potential of these cities and enhancing their growth and success. It will provide new opportunities to the local private sector and the Saudi people and help entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses through a range of comprehensive opportunities across twelve cities.
19. SEVEN (Saudi Entertainment Ventures)
Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven) is the execution and investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) in the entertainment sector. SEVEN, through its role as an investor, developer, and operator of various entertainment programs nationwide, seeks to be a leader in the entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia by bringing international and local brands to Saudi Arabia and providing entertainment across the country. Aiming to become the national entertainment champion, SEVEN works with a wide range of entertainment projects over the next eight years to meet Saudi citizens’ and residents’ entertainment expectations and needs.
20. AlUla
The AlUla project is a key part of the Vision 2030 plan launched by the Saudi government to modernize the country, one of several key projects aimed at diversifying the country’s economy and enhancing its worldwide identity.
The AlUla project will develop an archaeological, cultural, and tourism museum – an open-air museum – in an area as vast as Belgium, which will form the basis of the Kingdom’s cultural and tourism ambitions. This major investment seeks to make the AlUla region one of the cultural capitals of the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia wants to showcase the region’s stunning heritage, which includes millennium-old archaeological sites and panoramic views. He wants to retell his great history.
So here is the some worth highlighting upcoming Saudi Arabia Mega Projects that you have to aware of it. We hope that you got all the information about the Saudi Arabia Mega Projects 2024 that are happening in this rapidly transforming state.
Conclusion
As we discussed many projects that are currently ongoing and proposed that shows a bold and wide path for the future of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabia aims to create a prosperous and sustainable future for its citizens by diversifying the economy, enhancing social development, enhancing tourism and creating a vibrant society. Although there are problems, the transformative potential of Saudi Vision 2030 cannot be underestimated. Saudi Arabia has a strong commitment and successful implementation to realize its goal of a prosperous and inclusive society.