From NEOM to developments such as the Red Sea projects, Saudi Arabia is demonstrating how tech can enrich our spaces. In the Kingdom’s burgeoning urban developments and established cities, technology is the transformative force catalysing these monumental changes. The strategic focus of the Saudi Vision 2030 has accelerated the advancements in technology.

Given the scale of development in KSA, the growth potential of technology is enormous and there is huge potential in several applications from prioritising sustainable infrastructure to embracing digital advancements.

3D printing, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and modular methods of construction are major technologies redefining construction, facilitating resource efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Similarly, the potential of data-driven decisions in the construction and real estate industries is immense, particularly for harnessing real-time insights that allow teams to swiftly optimise processes.

Here we look at some technology advancements that are making a huge difference in improving efficiencies, enhancing worker safety and accelerating sustainability.

Integrating technologies and a human-centric approach

New Murabba is a visionary urban destination transforming downtown Riyadh. Highlighting the company’s commitment to both innovation and sustainability, Michael Dyke, CEO of New Murabba Development Company, outlined the company’s focus on leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI, Big Data, Digital Twins, and 3D modeling. He was speaking at the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering Saudi Arabia Conference, held in April.

“New Murabba recognises that AI and big data can be powerful assets in a project manager’s toolkit. By leveraging these tools alongside other methodologies, project managers can gain valuable insights from vast datasets, enabling them to make informed decisions that can expedite project completion and minimise unforeseen challenges,” said Dyke.

The address acknowledged the challenges associated with adopting new technologies, such as responsible data management, potential biases in AI, and integrating new systems with existing workflows. It emphasised New Murabba’s unwavering commitment to overcoming these hurdles and establishing itself as a model for future urban development, where the latest solutions seamlessly integrate with a vibrant, human- centred experience.

The conference also addressed the evolving landscape of project controls in the context of sustainable and resilient infrastructure development.

“New Murabba, with its dedication to 25% green area allocation, energy-efficient practices, and a focus on circular economy principles, exemplifies a commitment to shaping the future of sustainable and resilient cities.

Robust tracking systems for environmental impact, including resource consumption, carbon emissions, and waste generation, are a very important part of this and reflect the strong project controls in place,” said Dyke.

New Murabba’s AACE Saudi Arabia Conference participation reinforces its commitment to innovation and collaboration. By embracing new technologies and prioritising sustainable practices, New Murabba is poised to become a model for future urban development, creating a vibrant and sustainable city for future generations.

Innovative Construction Technology

WakeCap, a Saudi-based technology leader specialising in solutions for construction project management, recently announced its strategic partnership with leading US reality capture and AI experts, OpenSpace. It’s the latest in a series of collaborations between WakeCap and other industry leaders, designed to maximise the effective implementation of new technologies in the Kingdom’s booming construction sector.

WakeCap’s software and hardware solution collects data through a knob that attaches to a standard hard hat worn by site workers. Easily implemented on sites and requiring no worker training or disruption to operations, data from the knob is collected via WakeCap’s wireless network and interpreted in easily readable formats. It allows construction site owners to instantly understand what’s happening on their projects and to swiftly make improvements and streamline operational processes.

“WakeCap was founded on the idea of setting the industry standard for data-powered site visibility,” says Dr. Hassan Albalawi, CEO and co-founder of WakeCap. “With our new partner OpenSpace, we continue to contribute to the incredible progress taking place across Saudi Arabia. Construction in Saudi Arabia is on a scale unlike any other and collaborations such as these are more than just a partnership - they represent a commitment to empowering Saudi companies with the necessary tools to thrive in a competitive global market. By combining our expertise, we offer local access to global technological advancements, simplifying  procurement, and ensuring these innovations are tailored to meet local requirements.” 

In Saudi Arabia, where WakeCap has its headquarters, the company has increasingly also been in talks with government officials to tackle the newest challenges in one of the most ambitious construction industries in the world.

“The Saudi construction industry is in an era of transformation, marked by greater transparency, efficiency, and reliance thanks to technology. Alongside WakeCap’s solution being increasingly adopted on leading projects in the Kingdom, our strategic partnerships with the world’s leading technology companies are allowing us to offer a ‘single vendor’ solution to construction companies in Saudi Arabia. WakeCap is proud to be a primary provider to the region’s biggest developers including Aramco and Emaar,” added Dr. Albalawi.

Digital Solutions

Middle East regional technology services company, HITEK, part of the Farnek group of companies, has signed a JV partnership with Virgin Mobile Saudi; a Beyond ONE group company, as the preferred technology partner to enable a joint strategic approach to developing smart cities in Saudi Arabia.

With smart cities relying heavily on connectivity, Virgin Mobile Saudi, in conjunction with local providers, will be responsible for advanced telecommunications solutions, including 5G networks, digital services and enablement.

Yaarob Al Sayegh, CEO of Virgin Mobile Saudi, said, “At Virgin Mobile, we believe in the transformative power of technology to create smarter, more sustainable cities. Our partnership with HITEK marks a significant step towards realising this vision in Saudi Arabia.

“By leveraging HITEK’s expertise in digital solutions and our capabilities in telecommunications, we aim to build robust infrastructure that will not only enhance connectivity but also enable the seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies like AI and IoT. Together, we are committed to developing innovative solutions that will improve the quality of life for residents and drive economic growth across the region.”

With the communications infrastructure in place, HITEK can employ a comprehensive suite of digital solutions to optimise waste, water and energy management, environmental monitoring, citizen engagement, retail and hospitality, data analytics and AI integration, smart transportation, real estate and urban development as well as education technology.

Javeria Aijaz, managing director of HITEK, said, “Through this ground-up partnership with Virgin Mobile Saudi, we can deliver an advanced bespoke all-inclusive, intelligent and analytical digital platform, connecting people, assets and spaces.

“By utilising IoT enabled Building Management Systems (BMS), Machine Learning (ML) and Cloud and Artificial Intelligence (AI) based technologies, FM operations management, will have a 360-degree overview of all facilities, 24/7, from a dedicated and centralised platform, enhancing efficiency, welfare and sustainability.”

“The city of tomorrow is here today, with smart solutions paving the way for a brighter future improving citizen wellbeing and sustainable living,” she added.

Initially, the agreement will cover smart building solutions for potential projects in Saudi Arabia.