Expansion and redevelopment of existing structures and areas is setting the trend amongst the top construction projects in Saudi Arabia, said a report released ahead of The Big 5 Saudi expo in Jeddah.

One of the most important construction events in the Middle East, The Big 5 Saudi will run from March 5 to 8 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums & Event. It is expected to attract 15,000 visitors and will bring under one roof over 500 manufacturers of construction products from around the world.

A significant number of expansion and redevelopment projects populate the 10 highest value construction projects in Saudi Arabia, according to the latest ‘Top Projects in Saudi Arabia’ report prepared by the BNC Network for The Big 5 Saudi.

The multi-development expansion of Makkah Mosque and the redevelopment of Jeddah’s downtown are among the list. These include:

*Al Faisaliya City

The $25 billion Al Faisaliya City concept for the western coast of Makkah stands at the top of the BNC list in value. The development will spread across an area of 2,450 sq km and will provide 995,000 housing units to accommodate 6.5 million people within the completion date. It will include a governmental complex, and will facilitate both an airport and seaport.

*Grand Mosque – Makkah Expansion

With an estimated completion date of mid-2018, the $21.3 billion expansion project will be divided into three phases; the expansion will include the addition of a new seven story building with 74 prayer halls, an ornate prayer hall spread over 250,000 sq m and a 5000 sq m of central ceremonial area.

*Dahiyat Al Fursan

Valued at $20 billion and due for completion by 2020, the residential project involves the construction of 100,000 houses and infrastructure works. The project includes the development of apartments, townhouses, education and commercial buildings, as well as research and development centres.

*Al Ruwais Redevelopment

The Jeddah-based project is expected to be completed by 2030 and involves the redevelopment of Al Ruwais district and involves transforming a slum area of 1,166,525 into an urban district. The transition involves the introduction of real estates, public services utilities, and infrastructure necessary for the regeneration.

*King Abdullah Security Compounds – Phase V

Phase V of the King Abdullah Security Compounds under development by the Ministry of Interior is valued at $8 billion and is expected to be completed this year. The entire project will involve the construction of 369 security compounds featuring security, immigration, and Special Forces departments, civil defence centres, and investigation and prosecution buildings across various location in Saudi Arabia.

*Al Shamiya & Mataf –  Mosque Expansion

The $5 billion project involves the expansion of a Mataf (the circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba) by a width of 20 m. A majority of the expansion will be used to accommodate a capacity of more than 50,000 pilgrims per hour to 130,000 when it is completed.

*Mall of Saudi

Due at the beginning of 2020, the Riyadh-based $3.2 billion project involves the construction of a mall spread over an area of 8666,000 square meters including indoor snow parks and 3000,000 meters of shops, restaurants, entertainment areas, residential units, offices, showrooms space, luxury hotels and services apartment buildings.

*New Jeddah Downtown – Phase I

The mixed-use development, valued at $2 billion, will incorporate a redesign of the waterfront area known as the Corniche of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the development will see the construction of  12,000 housing units.

*The Avenues – Al Malqa

Another shopping mall on the BNC projects list and expected to be completed in 2019, The Avenues project will cover 1.7 million sq m and include 2 residential towers, 2 hotel towers, a medical tower and office units.

*Riyadh Medical Village

The $1.5 billion project involves the construction of 10 hospitals, 33 clinics, a hotel, training centre, housing units and offices. It is expected to be complete by 2018 and delivered by developer Tatweer for Real Estate.

On the Saudi trends, Roni El Haddad, the event director for The Big 5 Saudi, said: "The call made by Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the kingdom’s economy is driving construction activity across all markets; government plans to strengthen religious tourism anticipate an influx of pilgrims to the Grand Mosque and Mataf instigating its expansion, additionally there is increasing demand by young people for higher quality urban areas, the development of which currently makes up 70 per cent of all construction activities in Saudi Arabia."

"As a result we are seeing a huge increase in international exhibitors at this year’s The Big 5 Saudi, each attracted to the potential that a transforming country like KSA offers to the worldwide building community," she added.

An ideal platform for construction industry professionals to network, secure qualified leads and close business deals, The Big 5 Saudi also offers 50+ CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certified workshops, which are free to attend.

Delivered by renowned industry experts, the educational sessions will focus on four themes: General Construction, Project Management, Sustainability, and Architecture & Design.

Organised by dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa and MICE Arabia, The Big 5 Saudi is a premier trade event for construction professionals and is co-located with WoodTech Design & Expo.-TradeArabia News Service