Saudi Arabia is set to build more than 180,000 hotel rooms and serviced apartments by 2034, as the kingdom intensifies its infrastructure push to host the FIFA World Cup 2034. The announcement came during the final day of MEED’s Saudi Giga Projects Summit 2025, where the spotlight was on the kingdom’s fast-paced transformation across stadiums, transport, and hospitality infrastructure. Ed James, Head of Content & Research at MEED, opened the day’s proceedings with a keynote highlighting Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving stadium infrastructure programme. The development supports not only the FIFA World Cup but also the AFC Asian Cup 2027, Riyadh Expo 2030, and the 2029 Asian Winter Games. “Saudi Arabia’s giga projects are not just about breaking ground. They are about redefining how cities, infrastructure, and communities are built for the long term,” said James. “This is a transformative moment, setting global benchmarks in sustainability, digitalisation, and resilience.” A standout panel on “Delivering Priority Event-Driven Projects” showcased modular construction, immersive LED technologies, and climate-adaptive stadium design. Populous’ Fatemeh Hosseini shared that advanced materials in venues like the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium can lower surface temperatures by up to 8°C, slashing energy use for cooling. Urban mobility was another key focus, with Parsons VP Terry Fetters presenting a deep dive into the Riyadh Metro, which moved 18 million passengers in just 75 days, including 10 million on the Blue Line. Fetters described it as the “spine of Riyadh”, reducing congestion and redefining accessibility across the capital. The summit also spotlighted progress in sustainable water infrastructure, with the Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) reporting annual savings of 10.5 million tonnes in carbon emissions and over $12 billion in private investment to date. Capping off the event, Germany’s Nemetschek Group announced its entry into the Saudi market via €14 billion in partnerships, signing MoUs with NESMA, Building Smart, Wakecap, and Concerted Solutions. The move brings cutting-edge AEC/O software solutions to the Kingdom, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s push for digital excellence in construction. With momentum growing across all sectors, MEED’s Saudi Giga Projects Summit 2025 made one thing clear: Saudi Arabia isn’t just preparing for the future—it’s building it at breakneck speed. (ICE RIYADH)

Fonte notizia: Construction Week