SNC-Lavalin Awarded Program Management Consultancy Services Contract for Historic Jeddah in Saudi Arabia

A project management consultancy services contract has been awarded to SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., by the Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia, to support the development of Historic Jeddah, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Historic Jeddah Development Program aims to revitalize the living space in the city by attracting new businesses and cultural projects, based on a modern vision of urban planning and natural conservation harmonized with the people’s needs.

The Historic Jeddah area, known locally as Al-Balad (the town), is situated on the eastern shore of the Red Sea and was established in the 7th century A.D. as a major port for Indian Ocean trade routes, channeling goods from Jeddah to the holy city of Mecca. The project is set to create an integrated environment in Historic Jeddah that has multiple natural components, including 5 kilometers of developed waterfronts, green spaces and open gardens covering 15% of the total project area of 2.5 square kilometers.

As part of the two-year contract, SNC-Lavalin will provide PMC services across the Historic Jeddah Development Program, including project and cost consultancy services for site-wide utilities, design management, program setup and governance processes and procedures. In addition, SNC-Lavalin will oversee the coordination with program stakeholders, from real estate development to infrastructure, public realm and landscape to ensure the historic and non-historic building protection measures are met. These services will be executed throughout the master planning, design, tender and construction stages.

Historic Jeddah is expected to become an incubator for Saudi entrepreneurs and artists where they can meet within a creative community that combines national heritage with nature and contemporary architectural designs. The area has more than 600 historic buildings, 36 historical mosques and five major historical markets. It also holds ancient corridors, squares and sites of important historical significance. The project work will extend for the next 15 years, during which the area will be developed according to multiple tracks, including infrastructure and services, developing the natural and environmental field, improving the quality of life and enhancing urban aspects.