U.S.-based Parsons has come on board in the the world’s largest modern downtown project, the New Murabba development in Saudi Arabia. The company has announced that it has secured a five-year contract from the New Murabba Development Company. The scope of the contract entails provision of designs and construction technical support. Furthermore, they will also provide design and engineering services for infrastructure.

Their role is Infrastructure Lead Design Consultant (ILDC) which covers various infrastructural aspects of the New Murabba development. It will support the New Murabba project by creating the development’s downtown experience.

This comprises of 14 million sq. m of living, working and entertainment spaces. At the heart of the New Murabba project will be the Mukaab, an iconic, cube shaped skyscraper. The significance is monumental as it is expected to be the largest built structure of its kind in the world. The 60-month contract also provides an optimal opportunity for Parsons to expand its footprint in the Middle East.

Scope on the New Murabba Development in Saudi Arabia

Carey Smith, President and CEO at Parsons showed gratitude in her remarks on being part of the New Murabba development project. She noted that the New Murabba is an extraordinary project that redefines sustainable urban development at a giga scale. Furthermore, she noted that the firm is proud to be part of the team in creating this new destination. “Applying Parsons’ extensive local experience in managing complex urban projects in the kingdom, our team is committed to delivering this world-class, mixed-use development, to the highest safety and quality standards,” she added. Saudi Arabia is involved in numerous mega projects such as NEOM’s Trojena desert ski resort aiming to promote tourism in the Kingdom.

Urban Development in Saudi Arabia’s Vision

Named after Riyadh’s Al Murabba neighbourhood, New Murabba is centered around various aspects. These include technology, innovation, and sustainability. Furthermore, it is in alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030 ‘Quality of Life Program.’ The project is committed to offering its residents a balanced live-work-play community. Once complete, it will enable residents to walk almost anywhere in the community within 15 minutes.

New Murabba CEO Michael Dyke affirmed that the signing of this agreement aims to advance the giga project’s position. Covering around 14 million sq. m, the development is designed as a mixed-use destination that will host a wide range of events. On the other hand, it will preserve the defining characteristics of Salmani architecture. “The agreement with Parsons will equip New Murabba with next-generation infrastructure that contributes to shaping the future of smart urban living,” he added.

Project Factsheet:

The title of the project is New Murabba Downtown Development.
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Proprietor of the project: New Murabba Development Company.

Consultant: Parsons (United States)
Term of agreement: 5 (60 months) years.
Appointment: Lead Design Consultant Infrastructure.

Contract responsibilities:
Infrastructure engineering and planning.
Technical advisory Construction Phase.
Built-in systems design support.
Also includes activities in the coordination of big city infrastructural works.

Development scale:
Virtuous size: 14 million sq. m.
Also includes mixed-use area with residential housing, offices, shopping, and recreational.
Walkable designs that allow 15 minutes access.

Landmark element:
The Mukaab
Iconic cube-form structure
The grand building is also expected to be the biggest modern construction of its nature in the world.

Strategic relevance:
The largest modern downtown scheme in the world.
Major giga-project in Saudi vision 2030.
Also strict correspondence with the Quality of Life Program.

Urban design priorities:
Intelligent infrastructure integration.
Also entails sustainability-driven planning
Tradition in terms of Salmani architecture.

Anticipated outcomes:
Creation of an urban destination that is globally competitive.
Also includes improved live-work-entertain environment.
Enhanced global presence of Parsons in the Gulf region.

Project phase:
Technical planning and design leadership in progress.
Staged delivery over the contract period.