News

Saudi Arabia To Transform Downtown Riyadh By 2030

By 2030, the massive development project will add $48 billion to the country’s GDP and generate more than 334,000 jobs.

Published

1 year ago

February 21, 2023

Nour Nasir

saudi arabia to transform downtown riyadh by 2030

Public Investment Fund

Saudi Arabia has announced ambitious plans to transform downtown Riyadh into a major global mega-city. To make the project a reality, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the New Murabba Development Corporation (NMDC) to aid planning and construction.

The 19 square kilometer site to the northwest of Riyadh will be designed from the outset as a smart and sustainable downtown area, able to hold 20 buildings the size of New York’s trademark Empire State building.

According to the state news agency SPA, the NMDC’s civil engineering project will have over 80 cultural and entertainment venues, a technology and design university, a museum, and an immersive multi-use theater when completed in time for Expo 2030, which Saudi Arabia could potentially host.

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The New Murabba project will be centered around sustainability and feature green areas, plus walking and cycling paths to enhance the quality of life and promote healthy, active lifestyles. As well as significantly boosting the well-being of Riyadh citizens, it’s hoped that by 2030, the project will have added $48 billion to the country’s GDP and generated 334,000 jobs.

News

NASA Forms New Partnership With Saudi Space Agency

The pair will collaborate on the Center for Space Futures, advancing space tech by bringing together public and private stakeholders.

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2024

Nour Nasir

Saudi Space Agency

Saudi Arabia’s space industry is on the brink of substantial expansion after generating $400 million in revenue in 2022, according to a report by the Saudi Communications, Space and Technology Commission.

Now, in a new venture with NASA, plans for a “Center for Space Futures” are set to further drive the Kingdom’s aspirations of becoming a leading player in space exploration and technology.

Capturing moments from the joint delegation visit with leaders from the Saudi and American Space Agencies @NASA to @PSU_RUH, along with scenes showcasing the audience's engagement. pic.twitter.com/oB1cFTiRNl

— وكالة الفضاء السعودية (@saudispace) May 14, 2024

The partnership between NASA and Saudi Arabia goes beyond economic advantages. The pair have already cooperated on preliminary work for the Artemis II lunar mission, which is slated for a September 2025 launch and aims to land astronauts near the moon’s South Pole.

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During a visit to the capital, Riyadh, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized in a TV interview the broader objectives of the collaboration, which encompass “returning to the moon and then [to] Mars” while utilizing space exploration to glean important insights into climate change. The NASA spokesman also reiterated the space agency’s dedication to collaborating with Saudi Arabia on other future ventures.