Saudi Arabia's government has made huge investments in the hopes of building new cities and districts to attract investment and tourism, despite past failures.
Saudi Arabia's program to build new "Economic Cities" includes more than one plan for developments over 50 square miles, whether these will attract the tourists and business development they seek to spur, remains to be seen. "The kingdom is converting thousands of square kilometers of sand into new cities as it seeks to diversify away from crude, create jobs and boost investment," Sarah Algethami writes in Bloomberg Business.
These initiatives look to kickstart some projects that have been slow to take off and will include two new projects. One project announced in July aims to attract tourists to Saudi Arabia's beaches on over 50 islands in the Red Sea. The area of this project is bigger than Belgium. Some have pointed out cultural barriers to attracting tourists including the country's alcohol restrictions and clothing requirements.
Plans were also announced for a city called Al Faisaliyah, "The city will have residential units, entertainment facilities, an airport and sea port," Algethami reports. The kingdom announced these plans despite the slow growth of its many previous attempts at mega projects including the King Abdullah Financial District of 70 buildings that has yet to attract a single institution.
FULL STORY: Saudi Arabia Builds Cities in the Sand to Move Beyond Oil
Study: Oahu Could Lose 40 Percent of its Beaches by 2050
A new study calls for changes to coastal management policies to better protect sandy shorelines retreating under the pressure of rising sea levels.
Bridge Planned Between Egypt and Saudi Arabia
A proposed 20-mile bridge would span the Red Sea to connect Egypt and Saudi Arabia -- connecting Arab states and reducing reliance on land passage through Israel.
AEG Making Downtown L.A. NFL Stadium Pitch
Having brought the Staples Center, L.A. Live, and a convention center hotel complex to the South Park neighborhood in Downtown Los Angeles, Tim Leiweke, is now pitching an NFL stadium that will double as an addendum to the convention center.
How the Trump Presidency Could Impact Urban Planning
An analysis of potential changes in federal housing, transportation, and climate policies.
Midburbs: A New Definition of Suburbs
When the name “suburb” just doesn't quite fit.
Why Aren’t There More Bollards in US Cities?
Solid barriers, like the dormant ones in New Orleans, are commonly used to improve road safety in Europe. Why not here?
Looking for the Light in a Dark Age
Professor Glenn Lyons offers insights about the challenges facing planners in times of rapid technological, cultural, and social change, in Local Transport Today's first ‘Deep Thinking Initiative’ article.
Menlo Park to Develop Parking Lots Into Housing
The city will issue a request for proposals to build subsidized housing on up to three downtown parking lots.
What Has Measure ULA Achieved?
Los Angeles has imposed an additional tax on luxury home sales to generate millions for housing efforts in the city. Shelterforce checks in on where the money has gone, and what’s to come.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Roaring Fork Transportation Authority
Placer County
Skagit Transit
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
M-NCPPC Prince George's County Planning Department
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service