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{{Update|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = King Abdullah Economic City
| official_name = King Abdullah Economic City
| native_name = مدينة الملك عبدالله الإقتصادية
| native_name = مدينة الملك عبد الله الاقتصادية
| settlement_type = City
| settlement_type = City
| image_blank_emblem = [[file:King Abdullah Economic City Logo.svg|200px]]
⚫
| image_skyline = KAEC logo.png
| image_alt =
| image_skyline = Waterfront King Abdullah Economic City.jpg
| image_caption = KAEC
| image_alt =
| image_seal =
| image_caption = Waterfront in 2016
| map_caption = Location in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| image_seal =
| map_caption = Location in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| pushpin_map = Saudi Arabia
| pushpin_map = Saudi Arabia
| coordinates = {{coord|22|24|N|39|05|E|region:SA|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|22|24|N|39|05|E|region:SA|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
| subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
| subdivision_name = [[Saudi Arabia]]
| subdivision_name = [[Saudi Arabia]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Saudi Arabia|Region]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Saudi Arabia|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Makkah Province|Makkah (Mecca)]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Makkah Province|Makkah (Mecca)]]
| subdivision_type2 =
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of governorates of Saudi Arabia|Governorate]]
| subdivision_name2 =
| subdivision_name2 = [[Rabigh]]
| established_title = Established
| established_title = Established
| established_date = 2005
| established_date = 2005
| unit_pref = Metric
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_footnotes =
| population_note =
| population_note =
| timezone = [[Arabia Standard Time#Arabia Standard Time|AST]]
| timezone = [[Arabia Standard Time#Arabia Standard Time|AST]]
| utc_offset = +3
| utc_offset = +3
| timezone_DST = [[Arabia Standard Time#Arabia Standard Time|AST]]
| timezone_DST = [[Arabia Standard Time#Arabia Standard Time|AST]]
| utc_offset_DST =
| utc_offset_DST =
| postal_code_type = Postal Code
| postal_code_type = Postal Code
| postal_code = King Abdullah Economic City 23965 – 7461 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| postal_code = King Abdullah Economic City 23965 – 7461 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| area_code = +966 800 11 800 10
| area_code = +966-12
| website = {{URL|http://www.kaec.net}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.kaec.net}}
⚫
| name =
| area_total_km2 = 173
| leader_name = [[Jay New (CEO)]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://container-mag.com/2021/05/28/king-abdullah-port-appoints-new-ceo?ref=business&pagewanted=all|title=Container Mag | date=May 28, 2021| access-date=May 28, 2021}}</ref>
| population_total = 7000
}}
}}
⚫
'''King Abdullah Economic City''' ('''KAEC''', {{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|eɪ|k}}; {{langx|ar|مدينة الملك عبد الله الاقتصادية}}) is a planned city in [[Rabigh|Rabigh Governorate]], [[Makkah Province]], [[Saudi Arabia]]. It was announced as a [[megaproject]] in 2005 by [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz]]. It is located in close proximity to [[Thuwal]], almost 100&nbsp;km (62&nbsp;mi) north of Jeddah.


It was one of six megaprojects that were announced in 2005 and is the only one that was launched. By 2018, ''The Financial Times'' wrote that the city had not attracted investment or become a hub for logistics and manufacturing, contrary to the grand plans behind the project.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2018-05-27 |title=Saudi Arabia's sleepy city offers prince a cautionary tale |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ae48574c-58e6-11e8-bdb7-f6677d2e1ce8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211181233/https://www.ft.com/content/ae48574c-58e6-11e8-bdb7-f6677d2e1ce8 |archive-date=2022-12-11 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=2022-07-26 }}</ref> By 2018, the city had a population of 7,000.<ref name=":1" />
⚫
'''King Abdullah Economic City''' ('''KAEC''', {{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|eɪ|k}}; {{lang-ar|مدينة الملك عبدالله الإقتصادية}}) is a megaproject announced in 2005 by king [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud]], the then-king of [[Saudi Arabia]].


==Overview==
==Overview==
With a total development area of 173&nbsp;km² (66.8 sq mi), the city is located along the coast of the [[Red Sea]], around 100&nbsp;km north of [[Jeddah]], the commercial hub of Saudi Arabia. The city is also approximately an hour and 20 minutes away from the city of [[Mecca]], 3 hours from [[Medina]] by car and an hour away from all [[Middle East]]ern capital cities by plane.
With a total development area of 173&nbsp;km² (66.8 sq mi), the city is located along the coast of the [[Red Sea]], around 40&nbsp;km south of Rabigh city and 100&nbsp;km north of [[Jeddah]], the commercial hub of Saudi Arabia. The city is also approximately an hour and 20 minutes away from the city of [[Mecca]], 3 hours from [[Medina]] by car and an hour away from all [[Middle East]]ern capital cities by plane.
The total cost of the city is around [[Saudi riyal|SR]] 207 billion, with the project being built by [[Emaar Properties]]. A [[Tadawul]]-listed company created from Emaar Properties, a [[Dubai]]-based public [[Joint-stock company|joint stock]] company and one of the world’s largest real estate companies, and [[SAGIA]] (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority) which is the main facilitator of the project.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}
The total cost of the city is around [[Saudi riyal|SR]] 207 billion, with the project being built by [[Emaar Properties]]. A [[Tadawul]]-listed company created from Emaar Properties, a [[Dubai]]-based public [[Joint-stock company|joint stock]] company and one of the world’s largest real estate companies, and [[SAGIA]] (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority) which is the main facilitator of the project.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}


The city, along with another five economic cities, is a part of an ambitious "10x10" program to place Saudi Arabia among the world's top ten competitive investment destinations by the year 2010, planned by [[Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority|SAGIA]]. The first stage of the city is completed in 2010 and the whole city is planned to be fully completed by 2020. The city aims to diversify the nation's oil-based [[Economy of Saudi Arabia|economy]] by bringing direct foreign and domestic investments. The city is also aspires to help create up to one million jobs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7446923.stm|title=BBC - New cities rise from Saudi desert | date=June 11, 2008 | accessdate=January 5, 2010 | work=BBC News | first=Crispin | last=Thorold}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/business/worldbusiness/20saudi.html?ref=business&pagewanted=all|title=New York Times - The Construction Site Called Saudi Arabia | work=The New York Times | first=Jad | last=Mouawad | date=January 20, 2008 | accessdate=May 7, 2010}}</ref> Upon completion, KAEC is said to be larger than [[Washington DC]].<ref name="Sylvia Smith">{{cite news
The city, along with another five economic cities, is a part of an ambitious "10x10" program to place Saudi Arabia among the world's top ten competitive investment destinations by the year 2010, planned by [[Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority|SAGIA]]. The first stage of the city was completed in 2010 and the whole city was planned to be fully completed by 2020. The city aims to diversify the nation's oil-based [[Economy of Saudi Arabia|economy]] by bringing direct foreign and domestic investments. The city also aspires to help create up to one million jobs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7446923.stm|title=BBC - New cities rise from Saudi desert | date=June 11, 2008 | access-date=January 5, 2010 | work=BBC News | first=Crispin | last=Thorold}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/business/worldbusiness/20saudi.html?ref=business&pagewanted=all|title=New York Times - The Construction Site Called Saudi Arabia | work=The New York Times | first=Jad | last=Mouawad | date=January 20, 2008 | access-date=May 7, 2010}}</ref> Upon completion, KAEC is intended to have a population of 2 million.<ref name="Sylvia Smith">{{cite news
| last= Smith
| last= Smith
| first= Sylvia
| first= Sylvia
Line 45: Line 50:
| publisher= [[BBC News]]
| publisher= [[BBC News]]
| date= 20 March 2015
| date= 20 March 2015
| accessdate= 20 March 2015
| access-date= 20 March 2015
}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> By 2018, it only had a population of 7,000.<ref name=":1" /> The ''Financial Times'' wrote that the city served as a warning for grand megaprojects in the region, as the project fell well short of the initial grand proposals behind the project.<ref name=":1" />
}}</ref>


It is being built along with 4 new cities in Saudi Arabia to control sprawl and congestion in existing cities.<ref name="A New City in the Saudi Desert">{{cite news| url=http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1846200,00.html|title=A New City in the Saudi Desert | work=Time | date=October 2, 2008}}</ref>
It is being built along with 4 other new cities in Saudi Arabia to control sprawl and congestion in existing cities.<ref name="A New City in the Saudi Desert">{{cite magazine| url=http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1846200,00.html|title=A New City in the Saudi Desert | magazine=Time | date=October 2, 2008}}</ref>


The port of the city is part of the Maritime [[Silk Road]] that runs from the Chinese coast via the [[Suez Canal]] to the Mediterranean, there to the Upper Adriatic region of [[Trieste]] with its connections to [[Central Europe|Central]] and [[Eastern Europe]].<ref>[https://www.pri.org/stories/2015-03-20/saudi-arabia-plans-100-billion-mega-city-help-end-its-oil-dependence Saudi Arabia plans a $100 billion mega-city to help end its oil dependence]</ref><ref>[https://www.bdcnetwork.com/100-billion-city-scratch-taking-shape-saudi-arabia $100 billion 'city from scratch' taking shape in Saudi Arabia]</ref><ref>[https://www.business.hsbc.ae/en-gb/ae/article/chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-beacons-new-trade-in-menat China’s Belt and Road Initiative beacons new trade in MENAT]</ref>
==City components==
{{Refimprove section|date=June 2010}}
The city is divided into six main components: Industrial Zone, Sea Port, Residential Areas, Sea Resort, Educational Zone, and a Central Business District ([[Central business district|CBD]]) which includes the Financial Island.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kingabdullahcity.com/en|title=King Abdullah Economic City official website}}</ref>

===Industrial Valley===
The industrial zone is estimated to cover 63&nbsp;km², {{convert|4400|ha|acre}} of land will be dedicated to industrial and light manufacturing facilities—identified as key growth drivers for the Saudi economy—and can now host 2,700 industrial tenants<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://industry-me.com/features/infrastructure/king-abdullah-economic-city-a-shining-example-for-economic-development/|title=King Abdullah Economic City: A shining example for economic development|date=2015-03-17|website=Industry-ME|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-30}}</ref>. The jobs created estimated to be in industrial and light industries (330,000); research and development (150,000); business and office (200,000); services (115,000); hospitality (60,000) and education and community services (145,000). The "Plastics Valley"<ref name="A New City in the Saudi Desert"/> planned within the zone will use raw materials readily available in Saudi Arabia to produce high-end plastics used in automotive, biomedical, construction and food packaging industries. As of April 2016, 127 companies signed contracts to build and operate factories in the city.

===King Abdullah Port===
{{see also|King Abdullah Port}}
King Abdullah Port is estimated to cover 17 square kilometers, it will be the largest in the region with a capacity of over TEU|20 million of containers per year. The first concession was given to National Container Terminal (NCT) and the operator is currently operating on four container berths. The port will have facilities to handle cargo and dry bulk, and will be equipped to receive the world’s largest vessels notably with its state-of-the-art Ship-to-shore cranes able to handle 25 containers across and the deepest draft in the region -18m. The port is the kingdom's first to be owned and funded by the private sector.<ref>{{cite web|title=King Abdullah Port in KAEC to rival freight operation in Dubai|url=http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20150325238125|website=Saudi Gazette|accessdate=24 April 2015|location=Jeddah|date=24 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711131146/http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20150325238125|archive-date=11 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The port serves as a linking passage between three continents, Asia, Africa and Europe<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1450576/saudi-arabia|title=Port paves way for ‘new era of economic affluence’ in Saudi Arabia|date=2019-02-11|website=Arab News|language=en|access-date=2019-02-11}}</ref>. The port is considered an important part in the transportation network that connects between the contents and delivers goods to around 400 million people in the Middle East.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1450576/saudi-arabia|title=Port paves way for ‘new era of economic affluence’ in Saudi Arabia|date=2019-02-11|website=Arab News|language=en|access-date=2019-02-11}}</ref>

In 2018, King Abdullah Port at KAEC had ranked second among the world’s fastest-growing ports.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1489941/saudi-arabia|title=King Abdullah Port ranked world’s 2nd-fastest-growing in 2018|date=2019-04-29|website=Arab News|language=en|access-date=2019-05-24}}</ref>

===Residential areas===
The residential area is planned to include 260,000 apartments and 56,000 villas. It will be divided into smaller residential, commercial, and recreational areas. Parks and green spaces will be used extensively throughout the residential area. The area is estimated to be home for around half a million residents, and another ten thousand tourists. Each district would feature its own public amenities, such as [[mosque]]s, [[Retailing|shop]] and recreational venues.

===Sea resort===
The Resorts Area will be designed to feature services and amenities, hoping to draw both local and international tourists. Set to become a major destination on the map of Saudi Arabia and the map of the Middle East as a whole. It will include hotels, shopping centers and other recreational facilities. The number of hotel rooms and suites are proposed to be 25,000 hotel rooms in more than 120 hotels. Among the tourist draws at the resort is an 18-hole [[golf course]], with training facilities and driving range. An equestrian club, yacht club and a range of water sports will also be constructed.<ref name=":0" />

===Educational zone===
The Educational Zone is a part of plan to bring the Saudis capabilities and aspirations in technology to globally competitive levels. The Educational Zone is planned to consist of multi-university campus flanked by two [[Science Park|Research & Development parks]]. The multi-university campus is designed to accommodate 18,000 students, and a 7,500 faculty and staff members.

===Central business district===
The central business district (CBD) is planned to offer 3.8&nbsp;km² of office space, hotels and mixed-use commercial space. The Financial Island, within the CBD, has now been doubled in area to cover 14 hectares (35 ac) of land, which will be the largest regional financial nerve center for the world’s leading banks, investment houses and insurance groups.


==Developments==
==Developments==
[[Image:KAUST Underconstruction.jpg|thumb|250px|right|KAUST under construction]]
[[Image:KAUST Underconstruction.jpg|thumb|250px|right|KAUST under construction]]
On June 12, 2008, [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|King Abdullah]] visited the city and evaluated the progress. He also inaugurated projects and initiatives with a total worth of $35 billion (SR 130 billion).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ameinfo.com/164440.html|title=AME Info - Emaar, E.C. celebrates SR 1 billion sales from the residential units in KAEC}}</ref> These projects include:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/press_releases/detail/20877|title=Arabian Business - King Abdullah visits KAEC; evaluates progress achieved}}</ref>
On 12 June 2008, [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|King Abdullah]] visited the city and evaluated the progress. Some of the proposed projects in the city included:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/press_releases/detail/20877|title=Arabian Business - King Abdullah visits KAEC; evaluates progress achieved}}</ref>
{{div col}}
{{div col}}
* Science and Research Complex
* Science and Research Complex
* Columbia University
* Columbia University
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* The Cadre Technical City
* The Cadre Technical City
* EMAL International Aluminum Smelter factory
* EMAL International Aluminum Smelter factory
* Total Oil factory
* [[TotalEnergies|Total Oil]] factory
* [[Holiday Inn Express]] Hotel
* [[Holiday Inn Express]] Hotel
* [[Ritz-Carlton]] Hotel & Resort
* [[Ritz-Carlton]] Hotel & Resort
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The king also inaugurated the [[King Abdullah University of Science and Technology]] (KAUST). The university is 20&nbsp;km away south of the city in the village of [[Thuwal]]. It opened in September 2009.
The king also inaugurated the [[King Abdullah University of Science and Technology]] (KAUST). The university is 20&nbsp;km away south of the city in the village of [[Thuwal]]. It opened in September 2009.


⚫
[[Emaar]], E.C. and [[SAGIA]] have signed several [[Memorandum of understanding|memorandums of understanding]] and contracts with international and local developers in many fields.
According to the Saudi Real Estate Companion, 2015 was a key milestone for the project given the number of residential and commercial projects that were handed over. This was largely seen as a success given that total residential sales in 2014 and 2015 amounted to around 2,500 units.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.amazon.com/Saudi-Real-Estate-Companion-Essential-ebook/dp/B01DTNO0SC|title=Saudi Real Estate Companion: Essential Real Estate Skills for the Saudi Arabian Market|last=Mueller|first=H. E.|last2=Williams|first2=A. D.|date=2016-04-04|publisher=Booktango|language=English}}</ref>

⚫
[[Emaar]], E.C. and [[SAGIA]] have signed several [[Memorandum of understanding|memoranda of understanding]] (MoUs) and contracts with international and local developers in many fields. These developers include:

* [[Orange Business Services]], is trusted advisor to the project and will oversee the design of the Smart City telecoms services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ameinfo.com/172341.html|title=Orange Business Services wins real estate telecoms consultancy contract with Emaar's KAEC - Orange Business Services}}</ref>
* [[Ericsson]], to supply, build, integrate operate and manage multiplay end-to-end fixed broadband network.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/releases/20080828-1246724.shtml|title=Ericsson - Ericsson in exclusive broadband deal for flagship Saudi tech city}}</ref>
* [[Cisco Systems]], to design infrastructure for [[Information technology|IT]] networks in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2008/prod_020108.html|title=Cisco Systems - Cisco to Design Infrastructure Network for KAEC}}</ref>
* [[Sunny Varkey|GEMS]] World Academy, to design, build, and operate the first school in the city which will be opened by September 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gemseducation.com/server.php?show=nav.001008009|title=GEMS Education - GEMS World Academy, KAEC, Saudi Arabia}}</ref>
* [[StrateSphere Enterprises]] and PolymerOhio, to develop KAEC Plastics Valley.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabnews.com/?page=6&section=0&article=112235|title=Arab News - Emaar signs MoU for KAEC Plastics Valley}}</ref>
* CEMCCO, to develop infrastructure for the Industrial Zone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/press_releases/detail/12388|title=Arabian Business - Emaar, E.C. awards SR 115 million contract to CEMCCO}}</ref>
* [[DP World]], to develop KAEC Sea Port to be the largest in the Red Sea and one of the top 10 largest ports in the world with a capacity to handle 20 million [[Twenty-foot equivalent unit|TEU]] (twenty foot equivalent container units).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/press_releases/detail/15680|title=Arabian Business - Emaar, E.C. and DP World sign MoU to KAEC Sea Port}}</ref>
* [[Mars, Inc.|Mars GCC]], to establish its own manufacturing facility in the Industrial Zone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ameinfo.com/164148.html|title=AME Info - Emaar, E.C. signs MoU with Mars GCC to establish manufacturing facility}}</ref>
* Capri Capital Partners, to develop a mixed-use project with a total worth of $2 billion (SR 7.5 billion).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ameinfo.com/164148.html|title=AME Info - Emaar, E.C. joins hands with Capri Capital to develop a mixed-use project in KAEC}}</ref>
* Freyssinet Saudi Arabia, to develop the Business Park at Bay La Sun Village.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emaar.com/MediaCenter/PressReleases/2008April16.asp|title=Emaar Properties - Emaar.E.C awards a contract to Freyssinet Saudi Arabia for second phase of Business Park in KAEC}}</ref>
* [[Saudi Binladin Group]], to construct 16 residential towers within Bay La Sun Village. The towers are scheduled for completion in September 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ameinfo.com/154845.html|title=AME Info - Emaar.E.C awards SR1.4bn contract to Saudi Bin Ladin Group to construct 16 residential towers in KAEC}}</ref>
* [[Siemens]], to undertake the electrical transmission and distribution (T&D) works for the first phase of KAEC. The work is scheduled to be completed by 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ameinfo.com/169283.html|title=AME Info - Emaar, The Economic City awards electrical transmission and distribution contract for KAEC to Siemens}}</ref>


[[File:House in Bay La Sun Village, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia (2008).jpg|thumb|200px|right|A house in Esmeralda]]
[[File:House in Bay La Sun Village, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia (2008).jpg|thumb|200px|right|A house in Esmeralda]]
Emaar, E.C has also launched two residential areas, Bay La Sun Village,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emaar.com/MediaCenter/PressReleases/2007September5.asp|title=Emaar - Emaar, E.C. unveils Bay La Sun Village at KAEC}}</ref> and Esmeralda Suburb<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ameinfo.com/157234.html|title= AME Info - Emaar, E.C. launches Esmeralda Suburb}}</ref> which includes a golf community. Both of the areas received an overwhelming response from investors. Bay La Sun is in itself a fully integrated community that includes several new initiatives including:
Emaar, E.C has also launched two residential areas, Bay La Sun Village,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emaar.com/MediaCenter/PressReleases/2007September5.asp|title=Emaar - Emaar, E.C. unveils Bay La Sun Village at KAEC|access-date=2008-08-12|archive-date=2008-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516043202/http://www.emaar.com/MediaCenter/PressReleases/2007September5.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Esmeralda Suburb.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ameinfo.com/157234.html|title= AME Info - Emaar, E.C. launches Esmeralda Suburb}}</ref>
* Raffles International School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eyeofdubai.com/v1/news/newsdetail-22533.htm|title= Eye Of Dubai - Emaar, E.C. & Raffles International sign deal to open premier educational institute in KAEC}}</ref>
* Bay La Sun Business Park.
* Bay La Sun Hotel and Mall, which were also inaugurated by the king when he visited the city.


===Transport===
===Transport===
KAEC will be served by [[Haramain High Speed Rail Project|Al-Haramain High speed line]].<ref name="A New City in the Saudi Desert"/> The construction of the [[Railway stations in Saudi Arabia|station]] has been completed by 2018. On 25 September 2018, [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|king Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud]] inaugurated the project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/haramain-rail-line-saudi-arabia-king-salman-bin-abdulaziz-al-saud-to-launch-haramain-high-speed-rail-1921852|title=Saudi King To Launch High-Speed Rail Line For Mecca-Medina Today|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2018-12-09}}</ref>
KAEC is served by the [[Haramain High Speed Rail Project|Al-Haramain High Speed line]].<ref name="A New City in the Saudi Desert"/> The construction of the [[Railway stations in Saudi Arabia|station]] has been completed by 2018. On 25 September 2018, [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud]] inaugurated the project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/haramain-rail-line-saudi-arabia-king-salman-bin-abdulaziz-al-saud-to-launch-haramain-high-speed-rail-1921852|title=Saudi King To Launch High-Speed Rail Line For Mecca-Medina Today|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2018-12-09}}</ref>

===Main developers===
* Emaar Properties


==In fiction==
==In fiction==
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==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Cities|Saudi Arabia}}
* [[List of things named after Saudi Kings]]
* [[List of things named after Saudi Kings]]


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{{Saudi cities}}
{{Saudi cities}}
{{Saudi Arabia topics}}{{Portal|Saudi Arabia}}
{{Saudi Arabia topics}}

[[Category:Planned cities]]
[[Category:Economy of Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Economy of Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Populated places in Mecca Region]]
[[Category:Populated places in Mecca Province]]
[[Category:Special economic zones]]
[[Category:Special economic zones]]
[[Category:Planned cities in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Planned communities in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:2005 establishments in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:2005 establishments in Saudi Arabia]]

Latest revision as of 12:00, 4 December 2024

King Abdullah Economic City
مدينة الملك عبد الله الاقتصادية
City
Waterfront in 2016
Waterfront in 2016
King Abdullah Economic City is located in Saudi Arabia
King Abdullah Economic City
King Abdullah Economic City
Location in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Coordinates: 22°24′N 39°05′E / 22.400°N 39.083°E / 22.400; 39.083
CountrySaudi Arabia
RegionMakkah (Mecca)
GovernorateRabigh
Established2005
Government
Area
 • Total
173 km2 (67 sq mi)
Population
 • Total
7,000
Time zoneUTC+3 (AST)
 • Summer (DST)AST
Postal Code
King Abdullah Economic City 23965 – 7461 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Area code+966-12
Websitewww.kaec.net

King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC, /ˈkeɪk/; Arabic: مدينة الملك عبد الله الاقتصادية) is a planned city in Rabigh Governorate, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia. It was announced as a megaproject in 2005 by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. It is located in close proximity to Thuwal, almost 100 km (62 mi) north of Jeddah.

It was one of six megaprojects that were announced in 2005 and is the only one that was launched. By 2018, The Financial Times wrote that the city had not attracted investment or become a hub for logistics and manufacturing, contrary to the grand plans behind the project.[2] By 2018, the city had a population of 7,000.[2]

Overview

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With a total development area of 173 km² (66.8 sq mi), the city is located along the coast of the Red Sea, around 40 km south of Rabigh city and 100 km north of Jeddah, the commercial hub of Saudi Arabia. The city is also approximately an hour and 20 minutes away from the city of Mecca, 3 hours from Medina by car and an hour away from all Middle Eastern capital cities by plane. The total cost of the city is around SR 207 billion, with the project being built by Emaar Properties. A Tadawul-listed company created from Emaar Properties, a Dubai-based public joint stock company and one of the world’s largest real estate companies, and SAGIA (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority) which is the main facilitator of the project.[citation needed]

The city, along with another five economic cities, is a part of an ambitious "10x10" program to place Saudi Arabia among the world's top ten competitive investment destinations by the year 2010, planned by SAGIA. The first stage of the city was completed in 2010 and the whole city was planned to be fully completed by 2020. The city aims to diversify the nation's oil-based economy by bringing direct foreign and domestic investments. The city also aspires to help create up to one million jobs.[3][4] Upon completion, KAEC is intended to have a population of 2 million.[5][2] By 2018, it only had a population of 7,000.[2] The Financial Times wrote that the city served as a warning for grand megaprojects in the region, as the project fell well short of the initial grand proposals behind the project.[2]

It is being built along with 4 other new cities in Saudi Arabia to control sprawl and congestion in existing cities.[6]

The port of the city is part of the Maritime Silk Road that runs from the Chinese coast via the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean, there to the Upper Adriatic region of Trieste with its connections to Central and Eastern Europe.[7][8][9]

Developments

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KAUST under construction

On 12 June 2008, King Abdullah visited the city and evaluated the progress. Some of the proposed projects in the city included:[10]

  • Science and Research Complex
  • Columbia University
  • Thunderbird University
  • Environment Protection Centre
  • Ethraa, The Smart City
  • Health Care City
  • KAEC Media City
  • The Cadre Technical City
  • EMAL International Aluminum Smelter factory
  • Total Oil factory
  • Holiday Inn Express Hotel
  • Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Resort

The king also inaugurated the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The university is 20 km away south of the city in the village of Thuwal. It opened in September 2009.

Emaar, E.C. and SAGIA have signed several memorandums of understanding and contracts with international and local developers in many fields.

A house in Esmeralda

Emaar, E.C has also launched two residential areas, Bay La Sun Village,[11] and Esmeralda Suburb.[12]

Transport

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KAEC is served by the Al-Haramain High Speed line.[6] The construction of the station has been completed by 2018. On 25 September 2018, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud inaugurated the project.[13]

In fiction

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The city is the destination of Alan Clay, the protagonist in Dave Eggers's 2012 novel A Hologram for the King.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Container Mag". May 28, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Saudi Arabia's sleepy city offers prince a cautionary tale". Financial Times. 2018-05-27. Archived from the original on 2022-12-11. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  3. ^ Thorold, Crispin (June 11, 2008). "BBC - New cities rise from Saudi desert". BBC News. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  4. ^ Mouawad, Jad (January 20, 2008). "New York Times - The Construction Site Called Saudi Arabia". The New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  5. ^ Smith, Sylvia (20 March 2015). "Saudi Arabia's new desert megacity". BBC News. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  6. ^ a b "A New City in the Saudi Desert". Time. October 2, 2008.
  7. ^ Saudi Arabia plans a $100 billion mega-city to help end its oil dependence
  8. ^ $100 billion 'city from scratch' taking shape in Saudi Arabia
  9. ^ China’s Belt and Road Initiative beacons new trade in MENAT
  10. ^ "Arabian Business - King Abdullah visits KAEC; evaluates progress achieved".
  11. ^ "Emaar - Emaar, E.C. unveils Bay La Sun Village at KAEC". Archived from the original on 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
  12. ^ "AME Info - Emaar, E.C. launches Esmeralda Suburb".
  13. ^ "Saudi King To Launch High-Speed Rail Line For Mecca-Medina Today". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
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Alberini C. (2011), "Urbanistica e Real Estate. Il ruolo della finanza nei processi di trasformazione urbana", Milano, Franco Angeli Ed., Cap.5 - Nuove realizzazioni e fondi di investimento: KAEC new towns nel deserto fondate sul petrolio (pag. 125-132).

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