Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund-owned (PIF) AlUla Development Company has formally launched operations to support plans to make the AlUla project into a global tourism destination whilst preserving its position as one of the world’s largest and oldest cultural sites.
Plans for the AlUla project include real estate development and asset management, along with a long-term investment strategy.
AlUla Development Company has said its investments will create jobs and opportunities for local businesses and communities.
The company will work in collaboration with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and private sector entities to support the development and operation of hospitality, residential, retail, commercial and infrastructure assets.
More than 7,500 hotel keys, 5,000 residential units, a staff village comprising more than 1,000 units and supporting infrastructure are planned for development.
Saudi state news agency SPA said AlUla Development Company will work with local and international experts in architecture, construction, design and heritage conservation to sustainably transform AlUla.
AlUla project progress
RCU signed a 360 Mobility plan services contract with France’s RATP Dev in December 2022 to develop a sustainable and smart public mobility network at AlUla.
RATP Dev will support RCU in developing the plans, policies, governance, and infrastructure as well as the transportation assets, of AlUla’s mobility network for residents and visitors.
The agreement will support the definition and implementation of a comprehensive mobility strategy in AlUla, home of Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The deal follows a memorandum of understanding signed in December 2021 by RCU and RATP Dev.Â
The agreement entails close and active cooperation in shaping a future of mobility in Saudi AlUla that reflects Vision 2030’s overarching goals.
RCU’s smart mobility plans for AlUla envision an experiential tram project, which will connect Hegra to AlUla central (Hijaz historical railway station). It will serve as the backbone of AlUla’s public mobility network.
Also included is a full fleet of electric buses – about 200 vehicles – to serve residents, locals, and visitors.
Autonomous pods for first- and last-mile connection and heritage sites will be developed.
Soft mobility modes such as e-bikes and e-scooters will be offered. RCU also plans to develop mobility as a service (MaaS) applications for services and tariffs.
In October 2022, the AlUla project unveiled designs for its first model neighbourhood, created as part of efforts to sustainably develop AlUla County for residents.
RCU plans to provide over 700 units for residents. At the same time as the designs were launched, RCU also started to receive applications for building permits, as part of its ongoing sustainable urban development scheme at AlUla’s Sadr and AlUla Central.
AlUla project partnerships
In addition to RATP, companies involved with AlUla includes a French consortium comprising Egis, Assystem and Setec.
READ MORE: RCU completes design works for its residential neighbourhood
RCU and the consortium established a long-term strategic partnership in October 2021. The consortium will be responsible for accelerating AlUla’s development plans.
AlUla: location, history and plans
AlUla is an ancient city located in the AlUla governorate within northwestern Saudi Arabia’s Madinah province.
Hegra, which is Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the AlUla governorate.
Nine hotels are planned for development at AlUla, which is expected to make a contribution worth SR120 billion ($32 billion) to the Saudi economy.
RCU has previously forecasted that the area’s population will triple to 130,000 by 2035 and generate around 38,000 new jobs.
The commission was established in 2017 with the purpose of safeguarding and elevating the significance of AlUla’s cultural heritage.
RCU’s plans for AlUla are in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification programme. They include projects and initiatives within the fields of archaeology, education, tourism and arts.
(Images courtesy of experiencealula.com)