- 1. NEOM: THE $500 BILLION FUTURE CITY
- 2. THE LINE: A MIRRORED LINEAR CITY
- 3. QIDDIYA: THE CAPITAL OF ENTERTAINMENT
- 4. THE RED SEA PROJECT: LUXURY ECO-TOURISM
- 5. DIRIYAH GATE: CULTURE MEETS MODERNITY
- 6. NEW MURABBA: A SMART DOWNTOWN FOR RIYADH
- 7. JEDDAH CENTRAL: REDEFINING URBAN COASTLINES
- 8. SOUDAH PEAKS: THE HEIGHT OF ECO-LUXURY
- 9. KING SALMAN PARK: THE WORLD'S LARGEST CITY PARK
- 10. THE RIG: OFFSHORE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE
- CONCLUSION: A KINGDOM TRANSFORMED
- SOURCES
Saudi Arabia is building more than just cities – it’s constructing a future powered by ambition, technology, and vision. With its Vision 2030 plan, the Kingdom is moving beyond oil and investing heavily in tourism, sustainability, and innovation. Here are 10 of the most groundbreaking megaprojects currently under development.
1. NEOM: THE $500 BILLION FUTURE CITY
NEOM is not just a city; it’s a bold redefinition of urban living. Spanning 26,500 km² in the country’s northwest, NEOM aims to operate entirely on renewable energy and will feature artificial intelligence, biotech zones, and next-gen mobility. Sub-projects include The Line, Oxagon, Trojena, and Sindalah. With a $500 billion budget, NEOM is set to become a hub for global innovation.
Key Facts:
- Budget: $500 billion
- Location: Tabuk Province, northwest Saudi Arabia
- Developer: NEOM Company
- Notable Contractors: Bechtel, AECOM, Atkins, Parsons, Dar Al-Handasah
- Start Date: 2017
- Estimated Completion: 2039 (phased)
- Hiring Scope: Project managers, sustainability consultants, AI specialists, infrastructure leads
2. THE LINE: A MIRRORED LINEAR CITY
One of NEOM’s most iconic projects, The Line, is a 170-kilometer-long, car-free linear city enclosed in reflective glass walls. Designed to house 9 million residents, it promises zero emissions, vertical living, and five-minute walkable communities. The Line challenges traditional city design with its ultra-efficient infrastructure and futuristic aesthetic.
Key Facts:
- Budget: $100-$200 billion (part of NEOM)
- Developer: NEOM Company
- Contractors: L&T, Morphosis Architects, Jacobs
- Start Date: 2021
- Estimated Completion: 2030 (phase 1)
- Target Population: 9 million
- Opportunity Areas: Urban mobility, facade engineering, smart systems integration
3. QIDDIYA: THE CAPITAL OF ENTERTAINMENT
Located just outside Riyadh, Qiddiya is set to become the region’s largest entertainment and sports destination. With an area of 334 km², it will include a Six Flags theme park, a Formula 1 track, water parks, museums, and arts venues. Qiddiya aims to boost domestic tourism and create over 57,000 jobs by 2030.
Key Facts:
- Budget: Estimated $10 billion
- Developer: Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC)
- Key Contractors: Bouygues, Faithful+Gould, Egis Group
- Start Date: 2019
- Estimated Completion: 2030 (phase 1: 2025)
- Career Prospects: Leisure development managers, sports venue planners, operations heads
4. THE RED SEA PROJECT: LUXURY ECO-TOURISM
This mega-tourism initiative covers over 28,000 km² on the Red Sea coast, including more than 90 pristine islands. The project focuses on sustainability, with plans to power resorts entirely through renewable energy. Phase one includes 16 luxury hotels and 3,000 rooms, scheduled to open by 2025.
Key Facts:
- Budget: $23.6 billion
- Developer: Red Sea Global (Public Investment Fund)
- Main Contractors: Archirodon, Saudi Binladin Group, Mammoet
- Start Date: 2018
- Estimated Completion: 2030 (phase 1: 2025)
- Open Roles: Resort development directors, environmental planners, coastal engineers
5. DIRIYAH GATE: CULTURE MEETS MODERNITY
Diriyah Gate is a $63.2 billion heritage-focused development built around the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif District. Located just outside Riyadh, the project aims to transform this historic site into a cultural capital featuring museums, boutique hotels, fine dining, and educational institutions. Completion is expected by 2027.
Key Facts:
- Budget: $63.2 billion
- Developer: Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA)
- Design Firms: CallisonRTKL, Gensler, HKS
- Major Contractors: TAV Construction, Nesma & Partners
- Start Date: 2018
- Estimated Completion: 2027
- Talent Needed: Cultural programming managers, hospitality PMs, restoration consultants
6. NEW MURABBA: A SMART DOWNTOWN FOR RIYADH
New Murabba is envisioned as Riyadh’s future downtown district, covering 19 km². Its centerpiece is The Mukaab, a massive cube-shaped structure 400 meters in height and width, offering immersive experiences inside a digital environment. The district will host residential areas, commercial centers, and cultural landmarks, targeted for completion by 2030.
Key Facts:
- Budget: Not officially disclosed; est. $50+ billion
- Developer: New Murabba Development Company
- Architects: Foster + Partners (Mukaab design)
- Start Date: 2023
- Estimated Completion: 2030
- Workforce Needs: Experience designers, digital architecture PMs, immersive media leads
7. JEDDAH CENTRAL: REDEFINING URBAN COASTLINES
Jeddah Central is a $20 billion redevelopment project covering 5.7 km² along the city’s waterfront. Plans include 17,000 residential units, 2,700 hotel rooms, a museum, an opera house, and a marine aquarium. The goal is to revitalize Jeddah’s cultural and economic landscape while boosting tourism.
Key Facts:
- Budget: $20 billion
- Developer: Jeddah Central Development Company
- Engineering Partners: Turner & Townsend, Dar Al Riyadh
- Start Date: 2021
- Estimated Completion: 2027
- Key Roles: Waterfront design managers, hotel construction PMs, marine systems experts
8. SOUDAH PEAKS: THE HEIGHT OF ECO-LUXURY
Located in the Asir region, Soudah Peaks sits at 3,015 meters above sea level, making it Saudi Arabia’s highest point. The project spans 627 km² and will offer luxury mountain resorts, hiking trails, and ski facilities. With a completion target of 2033, it aims to attract adventure and eco-tourists year-round.
Key Facts:
- Budget: $7.7 billion
- Developer: Soudah Development Company
- Start Date: 2021
- Estimated Completion: 2033
- Focus: High-altitude infrastructure, climate-adapted buildings
- Jobs in Demand: Cold region logistics planners, altitude resort project managers, environmental risk specialists
9. KING SALMAN PARK: THE WORLD’S LARGEST CITY PARK
In Riyadh, King Salman Park is being developed over 16 km² to become the largest urban park globally. It will feature art centers, sports complexes, open green spaces, museums, and walking trails. Expected to open by 2027, it is a key part of the city’s livability and wellness strategy.
Key Facts:
- Budget: $23 billion
- Developer: Riyadh Development Authority
- Designers: Omrania, Henning Larsen
- Start Date: 2019
- Estimated Completion: 2027
- Needed Roles: Landscape architects, park operations managers, ecological planners
10. THE RIG: OFFSHORE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE
Built atop a decommissioned oil rig in the Arabian Gulf, The Rig will span 300,000 m² and include hotels, roller coasters, water sports, and extreme adventure zones. This $5 billion project is the world’s first offshore mega theme park, blending energy heritage with futuristic entertainment.
Key Facts:
- Budget: $5 billion
- Developer: Public Investment Fund
- Start Date: 2022
- Estimated Completion: TBD (expected early 2030s)
- Opportunity Areas: Offshore safety managers, structural marine engineers, themed experience directors
CONCLUSION: A KINGDOM TRANSFORMED
These 10 projects are more than construction plans – they are pillars of Saudi Arabia’s transformation. From smart cities to cultural landmarks and sustainable tourism hubs, the Kingdom is positioning itself as a global leader in future-ready development. As 2030 approaches, these megaprojects will not only reshape Saudi Arabia but also inspire a new era of innovation in urban planning worldwide.a global leader in future-ready development. As 2030 approaches, these megaprojects will not only reshape Saudi Arabia but also inspire a new era of innovation in urban planning worldwide.
SOURCES
- NEOM Official Website https://www.neom.com
- Qiddiya Investment Company https://www.qiddiya.com
- Red Sea Global (formerly TRSDC) https://www.redseaglobal.com
- Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) https://www.dgda.gov.sa
- New Murabba Development Company (Public Investment Fund initiative) https://murabba.com
- Jeddah Central Development Company https://www.jcdc.com.sa
- Soudah Development Company https://soudah.sa
- King Salman Park Foundation https://www.riyadhgreen.sa
- The Rig – Official Teaser by PIF https://www.therig.sa
- Saudi Vision 2030 Portal https://www.vision2030.gov.sa
- MEED (Middle East Economic Digest) Reports on contractor appointments and project phases https://www.meed.com
- Arab News – Project updates and investment figures https://www.arabnews.com
- Construction Week Middle East – Contractor news, timelines https://www.constructionweekonline.com
- The National News – UAE/KSA business coverage https://www.thenationalnews.com
- Architectural Digest – Mukaab project report https://www.architecturaldigest.com
- Bechtel, AECOM, Parsons, Foster + Partners websites Press releases and involvement confirmations
- Larsen & Toubro, Morphosis, Archirodon Official project statements and bid wins
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