Khatib & Alami (K&A) is a prominent player in Saudi Arabia’s urban planning and infrastructure development sectors. With a history of over 60 years in the kingdom, K&A has been instrumental in driving forward key projects that align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Having recently established a new Regional Headquarters in Riyadh, the company is reinforcing its commitment to the country’s ambitious goals through various ways.
In this Q&A, Khatib & Alami exclusively provides us with an in-depth look at its operations in Saudi Arabia, exploring its extensive contributions to urban development, infrastructure advancements, and its strategic role in some of the nation’s most transformative projects.
Can you provide an overview of Khatib & Alami’s presence and operations in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the context of urban planning and infrastructure development?
Khatib & Alami (K&A) has been a steadfast contributor to Saudi Arabia’s development for nearly six decades. In 2023, we established a Regional Headquarters in Riyadh, which affirms our long-lasting and rooted presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and unwavering commitment to Vision 2030, the nation’s ambitious blueprint for the future.
Our decision to establish the Regional Headquarters in Saudi Arabia directly reflects our alignment with the overarching objectives the Ministry of Investment and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City set forth. This strategic move demonstrates our commitment to realising the transformative Vision 2030.
Our workforce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a testament to our commitment to local talent and capabilities. With over 3,000 employees, we have built a team with expertise in engineering, project management, and digital services, ready to contribute to the nation’s economic growth and diversification. Khatib & Alami have always firmly believed in the kingdom’s paramount role as a dynamic economic and commercial nucleus within the region. This latest strategic move demonstrates the company’s unwavering commitment to the Saudi market as it strives to pioneer progress, foster innovation, nurture local talents, and forge partnerships in the heart of Saudi Arabia.
Our diverse portfolio has shaped the kingdom’s landscape and infrastructure, from urban planning to infrastructure development, digital services, and architecture projects.
In urban planning, K&A has created interconnected communities that reflect Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and culture. Our work, which is deeply rooted in the needs and aspirations of the local communities, includes revamping social facilities in Riyadh, contributing to the Jeddah and Tabouk Urban Observatories, and developing design guidelines for Modon Industrial Cities. Our efforts in upgrading the Arqa historical neighbourhood in Riyadh exemplify our ability to blend traditional architectural elements with modern urban design principles, creating a sense of pride and belonging among the residents.
K&A was also appointed by “Waqf Al-Sharif Ghalib Endowment” to develop the land of “Belad Al-Husyneya”, 6km south of the Holy Mosque in Makkah. The site, of 7.5 million square metres area, was developed for mixed-use, residential, and commercial use including all needed services, with a modern transportation network and the latest systems, in term of sustainability and green buildings.
Additionally, K&A was the Lead Consultant in the “Riyadh Township Phase 1 – Villas” project, providing comprehensive design and advisory services for ten prototype villas out of the 3,500 planned units. This included architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, civil, landscape, quantity surveying, and interior design consultancy services.
Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, K&A’s innovative use of BIM technology facilitated efficient design processes, collaboration across remote teams, and timely project delivery, producing over 3,700 detailed drawings within six weeks and exceeding client expectations.
In infrastructure development, K&A focuses on optimising water recycling, energy saving, reducing carbon footprints, employing smart environmental monitoring devices, and incorporating digital services, which aligns with the kingdom’s Vision 2030.
One of our crucial water projects is the award-winning Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Wastewater Treatment and Sludge Management initiative, which aims to treat domestic and industrial wastewater in an environmentally friendly manner. This project includes a new 200,000 m³/day sewage treatment plant, boosting capacity to 440,000 m³/day, and the region’s first solar sludge drying system.
Another significant project is the Al-Wajeed Water Master Plan, a world-class water treatment plant and conveyance system that extracts and purifies water from Al-Wajeed wells, transporting it 600km to Tathleeth reservoirs and distributing it to over half a million people in Tathleeth and Bisha governorates, addressing critical water shortages.
We also worked on the Arafat-Taif Water Transmission System, which aims to convey potable water from the Arafat water tanks near Makkah to the strategic reservoirs in Taif. The system delivered 176,400 m3/day of water in phase 1 and provided 322,105 m3/day of water by the final phase.
K&A also boasts an extensive portfolio of rail projects, enhancing the Kingdom’s transportation infrastructure. We played a crucial role in the Al Mashaaer al Mugaddassah Metro Project, the first metro project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, contributing to designing and implementing nine stations and maintenance facilities, ensuring integration with the surroundings and speedy construction, to providing efficient transportation for millions of pilgrims during the al-Hajj season.
We have provided comprehensive design and consultancy services for the Riyadh Metro, contributing to its development as a cornerstone of the city’s public transportation network. Our involvement in the Haramain High-Speed Railway, which connects Mecca and Medina via Jeddah, underscores our commitment to advancing regional connectivity and facilitating pilgrim travel.
Additionally, we played a crucial role in developing the first railway project in 2003, the North-South Railway, an extensive 3000km network vital for freight transportation that connects the northern mining regions with Riyadh and the eastern port of Jubail.
Gigaproject Involvement
What are the primary gigaprojects that Khatib & Alami is involved in within Saudi Arabia, and what are the key contributions your firm is making?
Khatib & Alami is deeply involved in several of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious gigaprojects, including NEOM, the Sofon project, the Dhahran project, STC Square by Aqalat, and various initiatives with the National Housing Company. Our contributions to these projects are shaping the future of the Kingdom’s urban and industrial landscape.
NEOM Since 2019, K&A has been a vital partner to NEOM, providing direct support through various contracts and framework agreements. Our work extends beyond supporting contractors to offering design and design review consultancy services for numerous master planning, infrastructure, and building projects. This dual role in temporary and permanent projects is integral to realising NEOM’s visionary physical landscape.
To ensure seamless collaboration, we established a dedicated NEOM-specific Project Office in Tabuk, enabling our team to work closely with NEOM counterparts and drive the project’s ambitious goals forward.
Sofon Project K&A plays a crucial role in establishing Sofon as a leader in the shipyard sector, contributing to the localisation of the maritime industry and Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification. Our tasks include accelerating the project schedule by constructing temporary site facilities, grading, access roads, and perimeter fencing.
We also provide essential engineering inputs and studies for the subsequent phases, including site facilities, temporary buildings, and master plan land use drawings for King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Ras Al-Khair (RAK), and Yanbu. Our services span topographic and marine bathymetric surveys, geotechnical investigations, natural site assessments, traffic impact studies, environmental impact assessments, and High Commission Industrial Security studies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the project’s development.
Dhahran Project Saudi Aramco entrusted K&A with updating the 2011 Dhahran Area Master Plan (DAMP) to accommodate growth and evolving spatial requirements. Our experts, planners, and engineers delivered a comprehensive master plan with medium-term goals for 2030 and long-term objectives for 2040.
The updated plan aligns with Saudi Aramco’s strategic objectives, enhancing land use planning, optimising mobility solutions, protecting the environment, promoting sustainable growth, reducing car dependency, and addressing congestion and parking challenges. This holistic approach supports the efficient and sustainable development of the Dhahran area.
STC Square by Aqalat As the main consultant for Riyadh’s STC Square, K&A designed the project to incorporate cutting-edge smart city applications. We integrated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and various physical devices connected to the IoT network to optimise efficiency and enhance user comfort.
Our design strategies included minimising operating costs, saving resources, and enabling smarter decision-making. Sustainable measures such as double-skin façades, photovoltaic roof panels, energy recovery technologies, enhanced indoor air quality, and recycled materials resulted in significant energy and water savings, boosting sustainability and user well-being.
National Housing Company Projects K&A has also been a key partner in several projects with the National Housing Company (NHC). We served as the main consultant to the Ministry of Housing in Assir and Baha, contributed to developing residential and mixed-use communities, and collaborated with the Royal Commission of Riyadh City on various projects. These efforts included governmental buildings, landscape improvements, and district upgrades, demonstrating our commitment to enhancing Saudi Arabia’s urban environments.
Project Updates
Could you share some insights into the latest progress on the Boulevard World Riyadh project and Khatib & Alami’s specific roles and achievements?
Khatib & Alami has been pivotal in developing Boulevard World, a spectacular new entertainment zone introduced during Riyadh Season 2022. This multicultural theme park celebrates Saudi Arabia’s social and cultural vibrancy, earning several Guinness World Records for its innovative attractions.
Remarkably, Boulevard World was completed in just 80 days. Sela managed the overall design, construction, and operations, while K&A collaborated with 70 design-and-build contractors to bring this vision to life.
Our responsibilities included designing infrastructure and landscaping, delivering traffic impact studies, providing technical support, and offering round-the-clock supervision. Modular construction, pre-engineered steel structures, and ready-to-install materials expedited the project, ensuring speed and quality.
Achieving this record-breaking completion time required a meticulously planned project management strategy employing agile and lean methods. Innovative construction techniques and modern materials were crucial in creating the artificial lake, optical ball, metal structures, and architectural claddings representing various international styles.
Completing such a complex project in a mere 80 days posed significant challenges, including stringent quality control and the coordination of approximately 60 contractors. Our experts responded by quickly assembling a site team from various regions to work in three shifts, leveraging our pool of qualified technicians and engineers.
To ensure seamless execution, we organised workshops for the K&A team to facilitate introductions, exchange experiences, and brainstorm solutions to project challenges. We utilised advanced engineering techniques and tools, such as pre-engineered steel structures, innovative waterproofing materials, and ready-to-install finishing materials, all meeting international standards.
A core design and coordination team was established at Sela’s offices, fostering efficient communication between the client and the design team. This setup enabled timely submissions and adherence to the project’s tight deadlines, ensuring that Boulevard World was completed on time and set new benchmarks for quality and innovation in the region.
Sustainable Development
How does Khatib & Alami ensure its projects align with Saudi Arabia’s sustainability goals and Vision 2030?
Khatib & Alami, as a leading consultancy firm, wholeheartedly aligns with Saudi Arabia’s vision for sustainable living and performance outlined in Vision 2030. Our commitment to sustainability is evident in the significant projects we have delivered across the kingdom, ensuring they meet the highest environmental stewardship and resource efficiency standards.
Our Standard Design Practice is at the heart of our sustainability efforts. This approach integrates robust sustainability principles into every aspect of design and planning. We leverage smart, innovative, cost-effective measures alongside long-term efficiency solutions, drawing from our extensive experience in local and regional projects.
By embedding sustainable design principles into our work, we optimise resource utilisation within a sustainability framework, ensuring that our projects contribute positively to the environment and community.
Over the years, our standard design approach has evolved through practical experience, particularly in projects designed locally and regionally. We have successfully met the stringent energy and environmental performance requirements set by international rating systems such as Envision, LEED, Mostadam, and Estidama. This achievement underscores our commitment to exceeding global standards in sustainability.
Khatib & Alami’s Sustainability Global Sector comprises seasoned and accredited professionals specialising in Energy and Environmental Management. Their combined practical and technical expertise spans Energy Performance Management, Independent Commissioning, Renewable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Tourism Planning, and Net Zero Energy Buildings. This collective knowledge enhances our projects’ capabilities, driving high-performance outcomes that align with Vision 2030’s sustainability goals.
Our track record as a renowned international design consultant includes numerous high-performance, smart, and green projects. We maintain a strategic network within the industry’s supply chain, providing us with access to the most cost-effective, innovative, and compliant solutions. Our clients trust us to add significant value and assist in achieving their project goals, prioritising cost-effectiveness, reliability, and innovation.
Through these comprehensive efforts, Khatib & Alami continue to play a pivotal role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s sustainable development, ensuring that our projects meet and exceed the expectations set forth by Vision 2030.
Collaboration and partnerships
Can you discuss any significant collaborations or partnerships that Khatib & Alami have formed in Saudi Arabia to support the execution of gigaprojects?
Building strong relationships with our clients, contractors, stakeholders, and government entities is central to K&A’s success in executing gigaprojects across Saudi Arabia. These collaborations and partnerships are the cornerstone of our approach, enabling us to deliver large-scale projects that align with the kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Our extensive list of esteemed clients includes pivotal government ministries and major private sector entities. We have forged strategic partnerships with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Transport, Riyadh Region Municipality, and the Ministry of Municipal Rural Affairs & Housing. These relationships have been instrumental in driving urban development and infrastructure projects critical to the nation’s growth.
We also work closely with regional development authorities and leading corporations to deliver transformative projects. Our collaborations with the Al Madinah Region Development Authority, Saudi Entertainment Venture, Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), NEOM, ROSHN, Sela, Qiddiya, Amaala, Saudi Aramco, Red Sea Global, General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saudi Arabia Railways, Jeddah Central, Riyadh Airports, and Dammam Airports Company highlight our diverse portfolio and commitment to enhancing various sectors within the kingdom.
Our partnerships extend to joint ventures with globally renowned firms, enhancing our capabilities and broadening our expertise. We have successfully joint ventured with Sistra, TPF, Siemens, CallisonRTKL, SYSTRA, CANARAIL, Kenzo Tange, and Egis Rail. Additionally, our collaboration with KM—ACE underscores our commitment to integrating international best practices with local knowledge, ensuring that our projects meet the highest standards of quality and innovation.
The successful execution of these gigaprojects is also attributed to our partnerships with leading contractors. We work hand-in-hand with Al-Ajmi, CRCC, Al Bawani, El Seif, SAPAC, Shibh Al Jazira Contracting Company, Rawabi, Safari, Almabani, and Nesma & Partners. These collaborations ensure we have the best resources and expertise, facilitating the seamless delivery of complex and large-scale projects.
Through these strategic alliances, K&A continues to play a pivotal role in realising Saudi Arabia’s ambitious development plans and creating sustainable, innovative, and future-ready urban and industrial landscapes.