Saudi
Arabia’s Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) has unveiled the masterplan
for its 7.1 million m2 megaproject on the western side of the
capital, Riyadh.
Speaking
during an industry event, Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Gate Development
Authority, said that the key highlights of the project include the setting up
the world’s largest Islamic museum, restoring of the historic Wadi Hanifa,
which will include planting more than one million indigenous Diriyah date
trees, and transforming Wadi Safar into a residential and hospitality district.
In a
statement, DGDA said that Inzerillo’s speech and presentation at the event
focused on the link between entertainment and culture and the steps the
authority is taking, in collaboration with the direct leadership of King Salman
and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to open the doors of Diriyah to the rest
of the world.
He also
added that the Diriyah masterplan emphasises the kingdom’s three goals – to
preserve, develop and celebrate the much-loved home of Saudi culture.
Considered
one of the kingdom’s most important historical sites and the capital of the
first Saudi state, Diriyah is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of At
Turaif, a mud-brick city that stands as the birthplace of the first Saudi
state.
“With
hospitality, leisure and entertainment assets in our development plans, we’re
hoping to attract millions of tourists who will fall in love with Diriyah, as
there is only one Diriyah,” Inzerillo added.
DGDA will
start work on the mega development next month, following the approval of three
detailed plans for the development of Diriyah by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed
bin Salman.
It will oversee the restoration of Diriyah and develop a number of major new historical and tourism assets including museums, academic institutions and edutainment facilities, as well as resorts, restaurants, wellness facilities and high-end retail outlets, he concluded.https://meconstructionnews.com/37460/masterplan-for-7-1mn-sqm-megaproject-in-saudi-arabia-revealed
