Projects

Project name 
Wadi Al Asla Integrated Development Plan

Client 
Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

In 2009, JDURC tasked Happold Consulting with the responsibility for the strategic development of a 120 km2 Greenfield site on the outskirts of Jeddah.  Recognizing the need for private sector delivery partners, the client required a technically and financially attractive scheme that would allow them to take the scheme to market quickly and confidently whilst still addressing the city’s wider development objectives.

Founded in extensive market and end-user analysis, the project responds to key gaps in the current and anticipated Jeddah real estate market.  Perceived obstacles to delivery were identified through discussion with the local developer community allowing the team to proactively address these at the design stage and through the proposed project delivery mechanisms.

The concept masterplan overcomes a number of competing development priorities including:
• The remediation of the sewage lake;
• Preservation of an existing 360Ha wetland during and post construction;
• Sustainable reuse of treated sewage effluent from the city;
• Addressing the city’s open space and leisure supply deficit; and
• Ensuring an economic return that would provide seed funding for future affordable housing development.

Once completed, the development will provide more than 2,442Ha of open space & leisure activities, 15,200 dwellings, creating an estimated 16,000 new jobs.  As a result, the IDP has enabled the client to obtain a SAR 1bn soft-loan from central government to commence with the remediation and site infrastructure works in 2010.  
 

Partners 
Buro Happold Infrastructure and Environment, Rivers and Coastal, Transport Planning, Engineering
Happold Media
Bblur Architecture
GibConsult