Saudi Arabia's new airport will be among the largest in the world
Saudi Arabia has an ambitious plan: to build one of the largest airports in the world. King Salman International Airport is expected to [...]
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has an ambitious plan: to build one of the largest airports in the world.
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L'King Salman International Airport should transform Riyadh into a global logistics hub, stimulating transportation, trade and tourism.
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But what will it look like, the new airport of theSaudi Arabia?
What we know about Saudi Arabia's new airport.
With an area of nearly 57 km², the airport is expected to become one of the largest in the world, with six parallel runways and terminals that pay tribute to King Khalid. According to what we learn from the project, King Salman International Airport will be able to handle traffic of 185 million passengers per year by 2050.
Built over the existing King Khalid International Airport, it will be designed by archistars Foster + Partners, who dubbed him a "aerotropolis". After all, Saudi Arabia has already made the concept of the aerotropolis its own: it is home to the world's largest airport, theDammam-Re Fahd International Airport, 400 km northeast of Riyadh.
The design will reflect Riyadh's identity and Saudi culture to ensure a unique travel experience for visitors and transit travelers. Powering it will be a complex renewable energy system. Saudi Arabia's new airport aims to be sustainable, as much as a building serving the aviation industry can be: renewable energy will be coupled with a LEED Platinum (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.
Foster + Partners' design
The Foster + Partners architectural team envisioned the traditional terminal as a single circuit of corridors, served by multiple entrances. "The terminal will connect passengers to sensory experiences in the city, with natural elements, tempered lights and state-of-the-art facilities" explained Luke Fox, who heads the architecture firm. It will have a visionary feel to it, the new Saudi Arabian airport, and will play an important role in transforming the city into a global hub of creativity and innovation.
The project is in line with Saudi Arabia's vision of transforming Riyadh into one of the world's top 10 economies, and supporting population growth from 15 to 20 million by 2030.
Saudi Arabia's projects
There is not only a boundless airport in Saudi Arabia's plans.
In Riyadh, by 2030, a city within a city, with its own transportation system and housing for hundreds of thousands of people. New Murabb, that is its name, will be developed over an area of 19 square kilometers. There will be pedestrian and bicycle paths, waterfalls, parks and various entertainment spaces. The idea, announced by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, is to have 104,000 housing units and 9,000 hotel rooms, as well as retail and office space.
His most iconic place? A golden cube, Mukaab, 400 high and 400 wide: a commercial, cultural and tourism hub with the best of digital and virtual technology.