3 Reasons Why Saudi Arabia Makes Cube-Shaped Super City: The Mukaab
- Al Arabiya
VIVA – Saudi Arabia plans to build a super city cube-shaped which will be completed in 2030. Introducing The Mukaab (derived from the Arabic word for ‘cube’), this mega-project will act as the centerpiece of the surrounding New Murabba project which aims to expand the footprint of the capital to house an estimated 350,000 residents over 4,695 acres.
The Mukaab will reach 1,312 feet in height and provide a mixture of residences, hotels, office space, and open-air parks and walkways. Indoor holographic projections, such as giant-sized people pictured above, will create immersive, futuristic experiences of the space.
It is known that the project is financed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which manages US$620 billion in state assets and is led by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS).
Well, here are three reasons why Saudi Arabia makes a super city, the Mukaab, as quoted from various sources.
1. It Aims to Regional Tourism and Investment Center
This development is also carried out by Saudi Arabia to win the race against Dubai and Qatar's capital, Doha, which previously tried to position themselves as regional tourism and investment centers. The focus of Saudi Arabia, which has been too much on Muslim tourists, has been shifted to non-Muslims.
"Being second in the race is always a tough place to start when you want to be a leader," said Simon Henderson, director of the Gulf and Energy Policy Program at The Washington Institute.
"They have spent decades not attracting non-Muslim foreign visitors," he added.
Citing the Global Destination Cities Index released by Mastercard, Saudi Arabia has so far managed to earn US$20 billion, or IDR 300 trillion, from Muslim tourists in 2018 through organizing the Hajj pilgrimage.
Ilustrasi suasana di Kabah, Masjidil Haram, Arab Saudi.
- Haramain
2. Saudi Arabia Vision 2030
Saudi Vision 2030 is a picture of the new economy of Saudi Arabia in 2030. In the vision, King Salman wants the country's dependence on oil and gas to be reduced and economic sectors diversified.
