Faith+Gould, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has been awarded a two-year project management consultancy (PMC) services contract by the Saudi Ministry of Culture to support the development of Historic Jeddah, a Unesco World Heritage site.
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 AD as a major port for Indian Ocean trade routes, channeling goods from Jeddah to Makkah.
The Historic Jeddah area boasts 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.
According to Faithful+Gould, the project work will extend for the next 15 years, during which the Historic Jeddah 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.
The ministry aims to create an integrated environment in Historic Jeddah that has multiple natural components, including 5km of developed waterfronts, green spaces and open gardens covering 15% of the total project area of 2.5 sq km.
As per the contract, Faithful+Gould will provide PMC services across the Historic Jeddah Development Programme, including project and cost consultancy services for site-wide utilities, design management, program set up and governance processes and procedures.
In addition, it will oversee the co-ordination with programme stakeholders – starting 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 masterplanning, design, tender and construction stages, it stated.
The Historic Jeddah Development Programme is aimed at revitalising the living space in the city by attracting new businesses and cultural projects, based on a modern vision of urban planning and natural conservation harmonised with the people’s needs, it added.
“As a leading professional services and project management solutions company, our purpose is to engineer a better future for our planet and its people,“ said Campbell Gray, Chief Executive Office, Middle East & Africa at Atkins and Faithful+Gould.
“The rehabilitation of Historic Jeddah is a significant project that will showcase the depth of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage and redefine mixed-use destinations experience, providing great opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. We are proud to work with the Ministry of Culture on this world heritage landmark, in what is one of the most truly remarkable cultural sites worldwide.”
In addition to Historic Jeddah, Faithful+Gould and Atkins have supported restoration projects in two of Saudi Arabia’s most significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Atkins is the lead masterplanning consultant for Diriyah, a 11 km2 mixed-use historic, cultural and lifestyle destination created in a Najdi architectural style that showcases the Kingdom’s authentic heritage.
Over the past three years, Atkins and Faithful+Gould have been working with the Royal Commission for AlUla to deliver a sustainable transformation of AlUla region as a leading global cultural and natural heritage destination. This includes cost management, program and project management, advisory services, masterplanning, and construction supervision.
