Hey, civil engineering lovers—this one’s for you: if you haven’t heard about Saudi Arabia’s mega‑projects under Vision 2030, you’re in for an eye‑opener. A recent piece in Construction Briefing (April 14, 2025) profiles Fahad Al Balawi, head of construction at Red Sea Global, who’s guiding projects like Amaala and Shura Island along the Red Sea coast
A digital render of Amaala (Image courtesy of Red Sea Global)
Why This Should Really Interest You:
- Scale and ambition: Nearly US $50 billion in construction contracts were awarded by mid‑2024—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg
- Mega‑resort development: Amaala alone has US $7 billion in awarded contracts, and Shura Island boasts a 1.2 km over‑water bridge, 11 resorts, and a yacht marina
“Our goal is not just to build exceptional resorts, but to create destinations that leave a net‑positive impact on both the environment and local communities,”
says Al Balawi
That line alone strikes at the heart of modern civil engineering: bold ambition balanced by responsibility.
Smart, Sustainable, Connected
Fahad shares how sustainability, tech, and local context are woven into these projects:
- LEED-certified resorts, recycled materials, and over 760,000 solar panels powering the development
- IoT and BIM drive on-site efficiency, while 3D photogrammetry preserves marine ecosystems—especially reefs
- Even climate challenges—heat, wind, salt—are tackled upfront. For instance, the Desert Rock Resort used site‑excavated sand and stone to blend architecture with the landscape
“On Shura Island, we use lightweight materials with low thermal mass to reduce energy consumption, while at Amaala… we are developing the Corallium Marine Life Institute…”
Lessons for the Rest of Us
Even if we’re not building $7B resorts, there’s plenty to learn:
- Plan early, plan comprehensively. Marine Spatial Planning helped manage environmental impact before breaking ground
- Collaborate deeply. Public–private partnerships, community engagement and timely coordination are core to Vision 2030’s success
- Use digital twins & real‑time monitoring. Al Balawi recommends these smart tools for risk management and swift decision‑making
- Build local capacity. The team’s investing in vocational and graduate programs to train Saudi professionals—tackling “skills shortage” head on
Final Takeaway
Saudi Arabia’s push under Vision 2030 shows civil engineering at its grandest, but it’s not just about scale. It’s about integrating sustainability, advanced tech, early planning, and local engagement into mega-projects that leave a positive mark. That’s a playbook worth studying, and bringing into our own work.
A digital render of Amaala, Saudi Arabia (Image courtesy of Red Sea Global)