Construction of the world’s largest building
The Mukaab, a monumental building 400 metres high and wide, is being built in Riyadh and is planned to be the largest building in the world. The project is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 to prepare Saudi Arabia for the post-oil era. However, the history of other mega projects in the country raises doubts.
With a height and width of 400 metres each, the Mukaab will surpass the Empire State Building in New York almost twenty times over. Construction work has now begun in the desert state and the megaproject is due to be completed by 2030. The cube will offer a variety of flats, shops and leisure facilities, strengthening Riyadh’s position as an up-and-coming tourist metropolis. Saudi Arabia is investing 50 billion dollars in the north-west of the capital to create a new urban landscape.
Virtual reality and artificial intelligence
The outside of the Mukaab is to be equipped with virtual reality technology to transport visitors to fascinating landscapes. Inside, artificial intelligence will create holograms and simulations that project different places and times at breathtaking scale. The building will thus become a kind of digital adventure park that will attract visitors from all over the world.
Prestigious projects with challenges
Mukaab is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s “Vision 2030”, which aims to turn Saudi Arabia into a global tourist destination and business centre. The city of Neom and the linear megaproject “The Line” are also part of this ambitious plan. However, the plans for “The Line” have already been scaled back considerably due to logistical and financial hurdles. Instead of 170 kilometres, the structure will only be 2.4 kilometres long by 2030. It is uncertain whether it will ever reach the planned capacity for 9 million people.
The Jeddah Tower – a long construction history
Another mega project, the Jeddah Tower, was originally planned to be the tallest building in the world. After years of delays, the height was reduced from 1600 metres to 1007 metres. Construction began in 2013, but after a five-year break, the project is progressing slowly. The Jeddah Tower could be completed in 2029 at the earliest and become the new record holder.
Criticism and controversy
The Mukaab has already caused controversy. The design of the giant cube reminds many of the Kaaba in Mecca, the central shrine of Islam. This similarity is causing criticism in the conservative kingdom, as some citizens consider the construction to be disrespectful.
It remains to be seen whether the Mukaab project will be realised on time or, like other Saudi megaprojects, run into difficulties. However, the size and ambition of these construction projects show the transformation that Saudi Arabia is undergoing. A transformation that is set to turn the country into a global tourism and business centre and will extend far beyond the oil era.