Projects
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12/27/2024
Lots of ongoing projects
Tourist destinations, theme parks and financial districts: how Saudi Arabia prepares to attract tourists and investments
Saudi Arabia's transformative urban and tourism projects, including Diriyah, AlUla, KAFD, Shura Island, and Qiddya, exemplify ambitious development aligned with Vision 2030. Mapei has played a key role in these initiatives by providing advanced solutions such as waterproofing systems, products for installing stone and ceramics and other building materials.
Diriyah Project, Diriyah
The Diriyah Project is an ambitious urban development project that intends transforming the city of Diriyah into an international tourism destination, which will include promoting the nearby Unesco World Heritage site in At-Turaif. The aim of the project is to attract 50 million visitors by 2030 and is focused on preserving the history, traditional architecture and cultural heritage of the city, while at the same time constructing 38 hotels and resorts, 20.000 residential buildings, 9 museums and 4 stations for the Metro system. Mapei has taken part in the project by supplying solutions to grout architectural stone paving (MAPESTONE PFS 2 VISCO) supplied in a specific colour requested by the project owners and proposing solutions for installing ceramic and stone coverings (KERAFLEX MAXI S1 ZERO*).
In the Diriyah Project (MAPESTONE PFS 2 VISCO was used to grout architectural stone paving.
Royal Commission for AlUla Headquarters, AlUla
AlUla, in the province of Medina, is home of the headquarters of the Royal Commission for AlUla, the government body for the protection and promotion of this area and its transformation into an international tourism destination. Mapei took part in construction work on the building, which commenced in January this year and is scheduled to be completed in mid-2026, by supplying MAPEPROOF FBT system applied on around 70,000 m2 of foundations. This waterproofing solution is made up of a synthetic membrane, laminated with non-woven polypropylene fabric which, once concrete has been poured, forms a monolithic bond with the concrete and remains perfectly bonded over time.
When building the Royal Commission for AlUla Headquarters, MAPEPROOF FBT system was used to waterproof the foundations.
King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Riyadh
Through the creation of this financial district named after King Abdullah, the Saudi authorities intend transforming the capital into a strategic hub for global finance. The heart of the district is the Multi-Purpose Complex. Construction work started in January 2024 and is scheduled to be completed at the beginning of 2026 and will include two towers, several dining areas, piazzas and carparks. The surfaces of the underground structures of the various buildings were waterproofed with MAPEPLAN TU S 20 synthetic PVC-P membrane by Polyglass (Mapei Group) ensuring high mechanical resistance and durability.
The surfaces of the underground structures of the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) were waterproofed with MAPEPLAN TU S 20.
Red Sea Project, Shura Island
Red Sea Project is an ambitious tourism development project extending over an area of 28,000 km2 along the west coast of Saudi Arabia aimed at creating a luxury destination for international travellers. The project includes the construction of 50 hotels and 1,000 private residences on both dry land and 22 islands. The island of Shura is the focal point of the project: from the beginning of 2025 it will be the home of 11 luxury tourist resorts, a golf course, a yachting marina, restaurants and various entertainment locations. Inside the Red Sea Edition hotel, whose construction began at the end of 2023, Mapei products have been used to create screeds (TOPCEM PRONTO), install ceramic and stone coverings on floors and walls (KERALASTIC T) and to grout joints (KERAPOXY).
Within the Red Sea Project Mapei products have been used to create screeds, install ceramic and stone coverings on floors and walls and grouting joints.
Resort Core - Aquarabia Water Theme Park, Qiddya
The city of Qiddya, near the Tuwaiq mountains, is another locality the Saudi authorities intend developing to attract tourists to the region (48 million per year). More than 400 attractions will be created over an area of 360 km2, such as hotels, golf courses and theme parks. One of these attractions is the Aquarabia Water theme park, for which construction work got underway in April 2022 and is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2025. Mapei supplied products to install and grout ceramic and stone floor and wall coverings (KERAFLEX MAXI S1, KERAPOXY and ULTRACOLOR PLUS), seal expansion joints (MAPEFLEX PU S25), create anchor joints (MAPEFILL GP ME**) and grout architectural stone paving (MAPESTONE PFS 2 VISCO).
Mapei supplied products to install and grout ceramic and stone floor and wall coverings In the Aquarabia Water Theme Park.
*CO2 emissions measured throughout the life cycle of products from the Zero line in 2024 using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, verified and certified with EPDs, have been offset through the acquisition of certified carbon credits in support of forestry protection projects. A commitment to the planet, to people and to biodiversity.
Photo/Video Gallery
Mapei around the World
12/23/2024
AlUla: A timeless cradle
of civilization
Mapei around the World
12/23/2024
Mapei, committed to helping the nation grow
Mapei around the World
12/23/2024
Vision 2030, an ambitious
plan that looks to the future
