Leading figures in Saudi Arabia’s construction sector last month affirmed that any perceived slowdown in the kingdom’s ambitious giga-projects signifies a strategic recalibration rather than a retreat.

Executives at the Saudi Giga Projects Summit 2025 held in Riyadh last month in fact highlighted the ongoing dynamism of the market, with plans revealed for over 180,000 new hotel rooms and serviced apartments by 2034, and Diriyah Company preparing to offer approximately SAR20 billion ($5.3 billion) in fit-out works across its retail, commercial, and educational assets.

The Saudi Giga Projects Summit 2025 (May 12–14) at The Venue by ROSHN Group in Riyadh featured more than 70 expert speakers and project leaders driving forward the kingdom’s development priorities under Vision 2030.

With $288.6 billion worth of projects awarded in the past 12 months, the summit came at a pivotal time for the sector – sharpening focus on continued development and delivery across Saudi Arabia.

Addressing perceptions of delay on Day One, a panel of C-suite executives at the summit underlined that with $1.3 trillion in construction activity projected by 2030, Saudi Arabia remains the world’s most dynamic development market.

Attendees heard progress updates from Saudi Arabia’s most renowned projects. Executives from ROSHN Group, NEOM, Diriyah, and Red Sea Global offered rare insight into the challenges of delivering large-scale developments. Projects such as ROSHN’s Sedra community and Red Sea Global’s zero-emission resorts are already welcoming residents and visitors, signalling a shift from planning to reality.

The panel discussion highlighted a common thread: the need for integrated collaboration, scalable delivery frameworks, and innovation in everything from workforce development to infrastructure logistics.

 Philip Gullett, Executive Director and Region Head of Trojena at NEOM, described progress as “a military operation,” referencing the complexity of managing roads, dams, hotels, and homes within a remote mountain terrain.

Key insights also came from Kingdom Holding Company, which confirmed that construction on the Jeddah Tower, poised to become the tallest building in the world at 1,005 m, is well under way.

In a fireside chat with Colin Foreman, Editor at MEED, Talal Almaiman, CEO of Kingdom Holding, described the project as a powerful statement of national pride, remarking: “Height is pride… and we are very proud of this country. I think Saudi Arabia deserves to have the tallest building in the world.”

 A key thread across all sessions on Day One was the emergence of AI as an important factor in development. The session included key insights from Oxagon and DataVolt, looking at the importance of AI in today’s project, and how this can be used responsibly as part of sustainable development.

The first day concluded with a session on Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) outlining their Plan of Work, benchmarking this across entities across the globe. 

Day Two included key updates and insights from Nemetschek Group, project showcase and updates from ROSHN  Group, AlUla and Sports Boulevard and a series of panel discussions including ‘Securing the Future Beyond 2030’ and ‘The Role of Private Sector Investment and PPPs in Delivering Giga Projects’.

The Sports Boulevard Foundation made headlines at the event, confirming that the design phase for its 130-m-tall Global Sports Tower is now complete, with construction to begin next year. The 84,000-sq-m facility will host more than 30 sports disciplines, including the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall (98 m). The broader Sports Boulevard will become the world’s longest linear park, stretching over 135 km across Riyadh.

A headline panel on “Innovation and Urban Design for Smart Infrastructure” brought together leaders from ROSHN, King Salman Park Foundation, Jacobs, Kirkland & Ellis and sustainability professionals of Saudi Arabia to explore how smart cities can deliver quality of life through mobility, sustainability, and human-centric design.

Robbie McBratney of ROSHN Group noted that “For ROSHN, smart cities are not about retrofitting – sustainability is in the DNA of the project.”

Private sector involvement in giga projects was also a focus, with insight on easing budget pressure and boosting investment. Khaled Alrubaian of the National Center for Privatization (NCP) revealed that upcoming partnership opportunities are valued at around $150 billion.

On the concluding day of the summit, the agenda focused on the projects transforming the kingdom’s urban landscape, with stadiums, transport networks, and hospitality infrastructure all undergoing rapid expansion.

Ed James, Head of Content & Research at MEED, opened the day’s agenda with a keynote presentation on the kingdom’s stadium infrastructure programme, which is scaling rapidly to support the FIFA World Cup 2034, AFC Asian Cup 2027, Riyadh Expo 2030, and the 2029 Asian Winter Games.

James captured the significance of these projects: “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. This is a transformative moment, setting new global benchmarks for sustainability, digitalization, and resilience.”

A panel on “Delivering Priority Event-Driven Projects” explored innovations in modular construction, immersive LED integration, and climate-adaptive designs shaping stadium venues like the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium. Fatemeh Hosseini of Populous revealed that research into climate performance has led to design features capable of reducing surface temperatures by up to 8 degrees C, significantly cutting energy consumption from air conditioning.

Terry Fetters, Vice President at Parsons and Project Director of the Riyadh Metro, delivered an in-depth look at one of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious urban mobility undertakings. Since its launch, the Riyadh Metro has transported 18 million passengers in just its first 75 days of operation, with 10 million rides on the Blue Line alone. “It has become the spine of Riyadh,” said Fetters, noting the system’s impact on urban accessibility, congestion reduction, and sustainability.

Fetters recognised the project’s success in navigating logistical challenges, including managing a workforce that peaked at 63,000 people. Built in just over a decade, the Riyadh Metro is now a global benchmark for mega transport projects.

 The Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) also presented on its expanding portfolio, highlighting 10.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions saved annually and over $12 billion in private investment attracted since launch.

In a significant milestone for the Kingdom’s digital transformation, Germany’s €14 billion Nemetschek Group officially entered the Saudi Arabian market at the cummit. The expansion was formalised through four MoU signings with Saudi partners NESMA, Building Smart, Wakecap, and Concerted Solutions, bringing Nemetschek’s global AEC/O software portfolio closer to one of the world’s most ambitious construction markets.