AECOM in US$15 billion Saudi Arabia regeneration

The project will regenerate the Saudi Arabian city of AIUla.

AECOM has announced a partnership with the Royal Commission for AIUla (RCU) for a US$15 billion regeneration of the ancient city in Saudi Arabia.

Phase one of the project will regenerate the Saudi Arabian city of AIUla’s core 20km historical area, which will include key projects in infrastructure, hospitality, arts and culture, and social and community development.

AECOM will create a Lead Design Office responsible for all infrastructure design activities from setting standards, delivering the digital ecosystem, leading innovation, managing designers, delivering scopes and supporting the realisation of a carbon-neutral strategy and circular economy.

The agreement sets out a comprehensive development timeline based around three phases that lead up to 2035.

“This new long-term strategic partnership with AECOM is critical to realising our ambition of creating a global benchmark for sustainable tourism,” said Amr AlMadani, RCU’s chief executive officer.

“As we establish AlUla as an exciting business hub servicing the northwest Arabia region, we require world-class partners such as AECOM who share our desire to benefit the people of AlUla while creating unforgettable experiences for visitors.”

The global engineering firm added that it was committed to working with RCU in the most sustainable manner possible, in line with its sustainable legacies strategy.