Large development plans are being carried out in Saudi Arabia's two holy cities, centred on Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah. Barta24 reports that beyond housing and serving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, the projects aim to improve life for residents and diversify the cities' economies.
One of Madinah's largest projects is Rua Al Madinah, on about 1.5 million square metres east of the Prophet's Mosque, being developed by Rua Al Madinah Holding under the Public Investment Fund; it is to have 47,000 hotel rooms by 2030. According to the Saudi Press Agency, it is designed to help serve 30 million Umrah pilgrims a year. Registration has also opened for 120 luxury residences beside the mosque.
Near Almultaqa Madinah, the commercial centre of Madinah's Knowledge Economic City, 2,700 apartments and a public park of about 45,000 square metres are planned. Around the historic Mount Uhud, a first phase will add cafes, restaurants, a clinic and viewpoints over the city. The Jadat Al Alam Al Islami project, on about one million square metres beside King Abdulaziz Road, is to showcase the cultures and heritage of Muslim countries in one place.
In Makkah, the King Salman Gate project, inaugurated in October 2025 by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, plans about 12 million square metres of built area beside Masjid al-Haram. It lies within the areas approved under Saudi Arabia's new property-ownership policy for Muslims, meaning foreigners can invest there directly.
Masar Makkah, on about 1.247 million square metres in the west of the city, runs from the Third Ring Road to near Masjid al-Haram, with housing, walkways and cultural and sports facilities; the Masar bus service will link the Haramain railway station to the city. The Makkah Gate residential project, started in June 2024, covers more than 5 million square metres with over 8,300 villas, townhouses and apartments for more than 38,000 people, and sets aside more than 730,000 square metres for 38 parks.
The projects are meant to bring housing, transport, commerce, culture and healthcare into one urban framework, and are part of Saudi Arabia's wider urban development and tourism plans.
Photo: Mondephile / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Source: Barta24
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