Due to its profound religious and cultural significance to Muslims globally, Makkah holds a unique position. Hence, ensuring the city’s growth and advancement is crucial for enhancing its quality of life. The Masar urban development program, spearheaded by Umm Alqura for Development and Construction (UAQ), has been instrumental in reshaping Makkah into a vibrant cultural hub and contemporary landmark, marking significant success in this endeavor.
In a recent interview with Big Project ME, Yasser Abuateek, CEO of UAQ, highlighted the project’s inception, which commenced with Royal Decree no. 6258/MB mandating the development of King Abdulaziz Road in Makkah. Subsequently, UAQ initiated the project by conducting property surveys, providing compensation to affected neighborhoods, and commencing infrastructure works.
Umm Alqura for Development and Construction (UAQ), a closed joint-stock company, spearheads the urban development project, with key investors including the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Public Pension Agency, and the Ministry of Finance. Yasser Abuateek, referring to the project as ‘Masar,’ emphasizes its focus on comprehensive mobility, a fundamental aspect of the initiative.
With a host of dynamic features and capabilities, this extensive urban development endeavor seeks to enhance the quality of life for Makkah’s residents and improve the experience of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. It prioritizes accessibility to the Holy Mosque for both residents and pilgrims, aligning with the kingdom leadership’s goal of attracting 30 million pilgrims by 2030.
“The aim was to establish a destination that integrates the urban and economic ecosystem, employing meticulous urban planning and design, and offering services to facilitate seamless visitor movement for unique and diverse attraction experiences, all while respecting the cultural and authentic essence of Makkah Al-Mukarramah,” he elaborated.
Main characteristics of the Masar Urban Development Project
The urban destination boasts numerous green landscaped areas and a wide range of cultural, social, and recreational amenities, aligning with the kingdom’s Quality of Life Program and featuring ongoing development of modern transportation methods and facilities to elevate the lifestyle of Makkah’s residents. Additionally, the project offers diverse investment opportunities across sectors like hospitality, accommodation, food and beverages, and transport.
Reflecting its name, Masar incorporates various pathways, including a 3.65-km-long pedestrian boulevard flanked by primary two-way roads, seamlessly extending to the Holy Mosque plazas. The project also encompasses tunnels, commercial centers, hotels, residential units, and parking facilities, alongside numerous open public spaces, cultural venues, retail outlets, and government centers.
In an interview with Big Project ME, Abuateek highlighted the core elements of Masar, notably the main pathway stretching from the western entrance of Makkah to the Holy Mosque Plaza, complemented by pedestrian boulevards, metro systems, and rapid bus transit networks.
As of May 2021, approximately 65% of the infrastructure work has been completed, with a total of 205 development plots spanning 690,000 sq m. UAQ aims to construct 13,000 residential units and 38,000 hotel rooms through long-term investment channels, including 59 residential buildings, 58 hotels, 82 hotel apartments, and various commercial centers.
Vision and Opportunities of the Masar Development Project
With its focus on innovation and technological advancements, Masar is poised to fulfill the evolving technological and communication needs while strategically positioned in the heart of Makkah adjacent to the holy Haram, presenting lucrative investment opportunities. The development aims to cater to the growing demand for accommodation and transportation services to enhance the quality of life in Makkah.
In an interview, Abuateek emphasized the opportune moment for investing in the hospitality, accommodation, and mobility sectors, catering to the preferences of the next generation of pilgrims and visitors who seek higher standards of quality and environmentally friendly concepts. Masar has attracted interest from renowned international hospitality companies like Grand Hyatt, Hilton, Kempinski, Marriott, and Taj, with investment opportunities set to commence earlier than initially planned due to overwhelming investor interest.
Abuateek highlighted the project’s focus on accommodating added value from investors through flexible and sustainable investment models, fostering innovation and benefiting all parties involved. He expressed confidence in the project’s alignment with precautionary measures issued by relevant institutions, affirming its commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Makkah according to plan.
