It appears that King Abdullah is now making his moves towards significant reforms in Saudi Arabia. KAUST is up and running as the first international and co-educational university in the Kingdom. And recently Saudi Arabia announced its top 10 projects which are further indicative of major changes which will likely to lead towards additional reform. Last but not least, there is also a proposal circulating to allow female lawyers to represent female clients within the Saudi courts.
The Top 10 Saudi projects according to Construction Week from 10 to number one are as follows:
10- Jeddah Gate Development
Jeddah gate is a US $1.6 billion project under construction and expected to be completed in ten years. The projects is comprised of constructing both new residential and commercial space in the vicinities of King Abdullah Street and Abdullah Al Suleiman Streets in Jeddah.
9- Haramain High Speed Rail Project
Haramain High Speed Rail is a US $1.9 billion project and expected to be completed in 2013. This project is for the construction of a much needed rail link connecting the two Holy Cities of Makkah and Medina via Jeddah.
8- Jizan Economic City (JEC)
The Jizan Economic City is a US $3 billion project anticipated to be completed by 2020. This is a massive project which will be comprised of residential, commercial and industrial zones.
7- North-South Railway
The North-South Railway project is a US $3.5 billion project already under construction and expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2010. In addition to transporting passengers in Saudi Arabia it will also be used for the transportation of minerals mined at Az-Zubairah and Al Jalamid to the processing facilities located at Ras Azur Port. Some Saudi residents along the new railway will have to become accustomed to hearing the whistles of passing trains.
6- Knowledge Economic City (KEC)
The Knowledge Economic City project is a US $8 billion project which is expected to be built in phases over a ten year period. The project is to build a Knowledge Economic City in Medina which will help establish a catalyst for knowledge based industries in Medina. Knowledge Economic City Developers claim that KEC will generate 20,000 new job opportunities.
5- Prince Abdulaziz bin Mousaed Economic City
The Prince Abdulaziz Mousaed Economic City project is a US $8 billion project which is start in 2010 and completed in phases by 2022. The project is to build a city within Hail with 12 distinct components for trade and services in sectors such as agriculture and food processing, mining, education, housing and entertainment.
4- Landbridge Project
The Landbridge Project is a US $10 billion project. A BOT consortium consisting of Trabot, Saudi Oger, Bin Laden Group and Al-Mada will construct a 950km railway network. The railway will connect Jeddah to Damman and King Fahd Industrial port with Jubail Industrial City.
3- Princess Noura bint AbdulRahman University for Women in Riyadh
The Princess Noura bint AbdulRahman University for Women in Riyadh is a US $11.5 billion project and anticipated completion is the first quarter of 2012. This project is construction of a new university for women north of Riyadh. The university will include administration buildings, 13 faculties, 700-bed student hospital, laboratories, research centers and residential housing for both students and staff. This university will accommodate 26,000 students.
2- Sudair City Development
The Sudair City Development is a US $40 billion project which will be a mixed use development including residential, commercial, entertainment and educational facilities. Sudair City will be located north of Riyadh.
1-King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC)
The King Abdullah Economic City is a US $50 billion project located in Rabigh. This massive project is construction of a city which will be divided into Industrial and Residential Zones as well as a Sea Resort and Sea Port.
In addition to the top ten projects this posting would not be complete without citing another significant project under the jurisdiction of the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA). This project is the construction and implementation of light rail metro system within the city of Riyadh. The metro will have two lines consisting of 23 and 13 stations respectively. A metro system in Riyadh will be a real plus where the city streets are already over-congested. Although there is some controversy on how well a metro system will be received in Riyadh due to perception of those who will use the metro. There are factions of Saudis who believe using public transport such as a metro system is degrading and that the metro is oriented more for expats and foreign laborers who are already accustomed to mass transit systems like metros. The announcement of a metro in Riyadh also does not address whether certain cars will be designated as women or women/families only. Nor does the announcement state if the metro would close during prayer times.
However in my personal opinion all of these large and costly developments are signs of both reform and progress in Saudi Arabia and initiated by King Abdullah. I see these plans as steps which will also lead the way to the time when women will be able to drive in Saudi Arabia.
In your view, which of these projects is the most significant for Saudi Arabia and why?
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sudair cost almost as much as KAEC??? are you serious, there got to be a mistake, maybe it’s 40 bil riyal
Women lawyers are needed here in the Kingdom….especially for sexual harrassment or any kind of abuse in the workplace, at school, or at home. Women have suffered long enough without being able to tell their side of thes story.
I do hope they have women as lawyers but I have talked to two male lawyers since I have read this news in the paper and both say don’t hold your breath. (my words their sentiment.)
These changes are welcome.
Well I can say that I do know one Saudi woman who I am very confident will be a practicing lawyer in Saudi. She has such a beautiful spirit and intelligence and her dream is to practice law which she is putting in to reality. Al-humidillah!
[...] that Saudi Arabia is in an era of new initiatives. King Abdullah is continually implementing new initiatives and having his projects completed which benefit the Kingdom and its people, to include women. [...]