The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) announced in a statement that it has signed two landmark strategic deals that will further accelerate the regeneration of AlUla as it moves from the planning stage to implementation after the launch of its masterplan in April, 2021.
The agreements with AECOM and an international French consortium comprising Egis, Assystem and Setec set out a comprehensive development timeline based around three phases that lead up to 2035.
Phase 1 development amounts to SR57 billion ($15 billion) invested in AlUla’s core 20 km historical area. This incorporates social, economic and sustainability projects in five unique hubs with a focus on infrastructure, hospitality, arts and culture, and social and community development.
AECOM will provide a range of integrated services across the entire AlUla programme. These include executive-level programme management to integrate all workstreams and major initiatives across RCU to implement the AlUla vision and outcomes, as well as a project delivery office that will work with RCU to implement best practices and delivery from design to construction and operation.
AECOM will also lead all design activities from setting standards, delivering the digital ecosystem, leading innovation, managing designers and delivering scopes. Further, asset and facilities management will be provided for the project lifecycle along with the benchmarking and development of smart city plans and projects.
The Egis-led consortium brings infrastructure programme management and construction management capabilities to support on-time delivery of AlUla’s most urgent projects and long-term development.
AECOM and the French consortium share the values of AlUla’s Sustainability Charter which, through its 12 principles of sustainability, will empower the realisation of a carbon-neutral strategy and circular economy. It will also establish robust and resilient policies for the development of AlUla’s heritage and environmental targets fuelled by renewable energy with 500-plus megawatts of clean power capacity. By 2035 renewable energy will supply 50% of demand.
About $2 billion has been invested in key development projects including expanding AlUla International Airport, completing the stunning and architecturally awarded Maraya multi-se venue, completing water and power-plant infrastructure in the Ashar Valley, and bolstering AlUla County’s security infrastructure.
Upon completion of the development strategy in 2035, RCU envisions the emerging city of AlUla defined by a thriving community and its ability to support residents’ ambitions, where service excellence is the norm and creativity drives a culture of adaptability and flexibility.
