Building Tomorrow: 5 Groundbreaking Construction Projects Shaping the Middle East
From pioneering 3D printing to cutting-edge digital twins, technology is reshaping the landscape of the construction industry in the Middle East. This should come as no surprise, considering the region's digital dominance, spearheading some of the most groundbreaking projects globally. Particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the construction market is poised for substantial growth, with a projected 4.69% CAGR and 5% CAGR by 2027, respectively, according to Mordor Intelligence.
1. Museum of the Future, Dubai
Museum of the Future
Opened in February 2022, the Museum of the Future in Dubai, UAE, stands as one of the most intricate structures ever built. This 78-meter-high landmark comprises three main components: the green hill, the building, and the void. Clad in stainless steel and achieving LEED Platinum status, the building is a holistic BIM-designed marvel. Flowing Arabic calligraphy on the facade forms poems envisioning Dubai's future. Designed by local firm Killa Design with lead consultancy by BuroHappold Engineering, the museum serves as a testament to future technology building design.
2. NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
NEOM, the flagship project of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, is a planned $500 billion high-tech city along the northwest coast. Encompassing 26,500km² strategically located at the "crossroads of the world," NEOM is dedicated to future technologies across 16 sectors. With a focus on sustainability and a model for a livable, walkable city, The Line—a 170km belt of hyper-connected future communities without cars—marks a revolutionary approach to urban living.
3. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
Designed by iconic architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim museum in Abu Dhabi is set to open in 2025. Situated in the Saadiyat Cultural District, this 42,000sqm structure will be the largest of the four Guggenheim museums globally. Described as an "experiment in inventive 21st-century museum design," it will house galleries of varying heights, a center for art and technology, a children's education facility, archives, a library, and a conservation laboratory.
4. Jeddah, Riyadh, and Makkah Metros
Jeddah, Riyadh, and Makkah Metros
Metro systems are under construction in Saudi Arabia's first and second cities, alongside the holy city of Makkah. Riyadh's metro system, with six main lines covering 176km and 85 stations, is set to open in 2022. Jeddah's $60 billion metro project, designed by Foster + Partners, will open in 2025 as an integrated urban masterplan. Makkah's transport program includes a four-line metro system covering 180km and serving 88 stations.
5. Etihad Rail
Etihad Rail
Etihad Rail, the UAE's new national rail network, aims to connect the UAE to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). With a planned length of 1,000km, Stage One connecting Shah and Habshan to Ruwais was completed in January 2016. Stage Two, connecting Ruwais with Ghuweifat on the UAE-Saudi border, is currently underway. This state-of-the-art railway will redefine logistics, providing a modern, safe, efficient, and sustainable network, acting as a catalyst for economic growth and sustained social development.
