Saudi Arabia's latest megaproject, New Murabba, is expected to be yet another game-changer for the country's tourism industry.
The project aims to transform a 19-square-kilometer area in Riyadh's
northwest into a vibrant mixed-use district. The centerpiece of the
development is the Mukaab, a 400m-tall and 400m-wide cube city that is
set to become the world's largest modern downtown area.
The Mukaab will feature a tower on top of a spiral base, with a
structure that spans 2 million square metres of floor space. It will
include hospitality destinations with retail, cultural, and tourist
attractions, residential and hotel units, commercial spaces, and
recreational facilities.
The New Murabba project, which can said to be able to fit 20 Empire
State Buildings in its entirety, will feature over 104,000 residential
units, 9,000 hotel rooms, 980,000 square metres of retail space, and 1.4
million square metres of office space, with 1.8 million square metres
of community facilities. The district will have more than 80
entertainment and cultural venues, a museum, a technology and design
museum, and a theatre.
Scheduled for completion in 2030, the project is also a clear
indication of Saudi Arabia's ambitions to position itself as a leader in
the fields of technology, innovation, and sustainable development.
The New Murabba project will be a model for sustainable urban
development, with green areas and walking and cycle paths designed to
promote healthy lifestyles. Those staying within New Murabba will have
access to living, working, and entertainment spaces within a 15-minute
walking radius, and the airport will be just a 20-minute drive away. The
project is expected to create over 350,000 jobs, driving economic
growth in the region.