Saudi Arabia megaprojects: 24 massive developments in the making
04 Jan. 2024Here are 24 upcoming megaprojectss that will play a key role in ensuring the Saudi Arabia’s massive transformation
Saudi Arabia has announced several ambitious plans to build a series of large-scale projects aimed at reshaping the country into a prominent global economic force, over the past few years.
These initiatives, which involve substantial investments amounting to billions of dollars, seek to diversify the nation’s economy beyond oil, generate employment opportunities, and enhance its reputation as a premier destination for trade and tourism.
That said, here are 24 upcoming megaprojects that will play a key role in ensuring the kingdom’s massive transformation:
1. Norlana
Norlana is a new ultra-modern residential community being developed in northwest Saudi Arabia as part of NEOM. Situated on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, Norlana will consist of 711 properties including mansions, apartments and beach villas integrated with the surrounding natural dunes. Sustainability is a top priority for Norlana. It is being designed and built to preserve the coastal and marine environments.
Norlana aims to set a new standard for contemporary sustainable communities and complements other tourism destinations announced recently in the Gulf of Aqaba as part of NEOM’s regional development plans.
2. Utamo
NEOM recently unveiled Utamo, a new immersive destination for art and entertainment located along the Gulf of Aqaba coastline in northwest Saudi Arabia. Utamo will be housed within a mountain cocoon and designed to seamlessly blend architecture with the surrounding natural beauty.
It will serve as a one-of-a-kind venue hosting music, art and cultural events through advanced audio-visual systems that promise to deliver sensory experiences.
3. Siranna
NEOM also announced Siranna, a new exclusive tourism destination located along the Gulf of Aqaba coastline in northwest Saudi Arabia. Siranna will consist of a 65-key luxury hotel and 35 high-end residential properties, taking advantage of uninterrupted views of the Red Sea. The destination’s hexagonal pillar architecture will seamlessly blend into the rugged mountains and flora.
4. Epicon
NEOM’s Epicon, a new luxury coastal tourism destination located on the Gulf of Aqaba, will feature two striking towers up to 275 metres tall housing a 41-key ultra-premium hotel and luxury residences. It will also include a 120-room resort and 45 beachfront villas situated near the hotel. The development aims to set new standards for hospitality and architecture through indulgent amenities and experiences for guests and residents to escape everyday stresses. These include a beach club, spa, watersports, and destination dining overlooking spectacular shorelines. Cutting-edge innovations and world-class services and facilities within the luxurious residences and villas seek to deliver iconic living.
5. Leyja
Leyja is a new tourism destination being developed in NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s mega-project located in the country’s northwest corner. Leyja will be centred around a natural valley surrounded by 400 metre high mountains, located along the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. It aims to preserve 95 percent of its land for nature, with three designed hotels that blend into the landscape. The hotels will each have 40 rooms and offer distinct experiences catering to activities like adventure, relaxation, and wellness. The goal is to develop eco-friendly tourism that supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plans while protecting the natural environment of the unique valley setting.
6. THE LINE
THE LINE is a linear city project within NEOM, an ambitious mega-city development in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Stretching over 170 kilometres, THE LINE is envisioned as a carbon-neutral vertical city that would avoid the use of cars through its walkable, dense design.
It would contain all necessities of city living including homes, schools, workspaces and parks directly accessible by foot, public transport or through a high-speed rail network. With nature and green spaces integrated throughout, THE LINE aims to maximise resource efficiency while offering a high quality of life for its anticipated 9 million residents. THE LINE’s vertical design is planned to minimise land and energy usage while connecting residents to each other through social spaces.
7. TROJENA
TROJENA, located in NEOM in the kingdom’s northwest, covers 60 square kilometres with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,600 metres above sea level. It is expected to be completed by 2026 and will have skiing and other winter sports facilities to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
The project aims to develop mountain tourism in Saudi Arabia by taking advantage of the region’s winter temperatures that can dip below zero degrees. In addition to hosting the Games, TROJENA will include residential areas for up to 7,000 people as well as hotels, restaurants and other amenities.
Some key attractions will be a ski village, wildlife reserve, and luxury mansions.
8. Oxagon
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM is developing the floating city of Oxagon in the Red Sea near the Suez Canal.
Oxagon has a unique oxagon shape and will primarily consist of factories, manufacturing facilities, and logistics sites to serve as a major new logistics and industrial centre.
Oxagon is planned as a fully sustainable, zero-carbon city and will include the world’s first fully integrated port and supply chain ecosystem. In addition to industrial areas, Oxagon will feature waterfront residential communities that are integrated with nature. The communities will use ocean cooling and be resilient to rising sea levels. Residents will be able to commute around the city through hydrogen-powered transport or walking.
9. Sindalah
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM megproject will open a new luxury island destination called Sindalah in 2024.
Situated off NEOM’s coast, Sindalah will cover over 840,000 square metres and consists of a group of islands. It will feature three luxury resorts, a yacht club, over 50 luxury brands, and 86 piers. The island is expected to create 3,500 jobs in tourism and hospitality.
Sindalah is planned to be fully pedestrian-friendly, with no roads or cars on the island. The public areas will be designed to encourage social interaction and allow amazing views. Facilities will be within a five-minute walk of each other.
10. New Murabba
Saudi Arabia is developing a new downtown district called New Murabba near Riyadh, with completion targeted for 2030. Spread over 19 square kilometres, it will include over 25 million square metress of built space to accommodate hundreds of thousands of residents.
In addition to new homes, New Murabba will feature commercial and cultural attractions. At the centre of New Murabba will be The Mukaab, one of the world’s largest structures shape like a 400-metre cube. It will serve as an immersive cultural destination brought to life with digital technology.
