المملكة: Establishing 972 meters of jetties… Efforts to revive Al-Arbaeen Lake in historic Jeddah

The work of the second phase of the waterfront rehabilitation project in Historic Jeddah continues, within The historical, touristic and cultural value of the region.

Efforts to develop historic Jeddah

The project comes within the efforts to develop historical Jeddah and enhance its position as a local and international heritage destination, as it aims to reconnect the sea with the historical region and restore its extension as much as possible at the historic port of Punt, which previously formed the main port for receiving the guests of God arriving via the sea route, in addition to Improving the marine environment and water quality within an integrated program extending over an area of approximately 600,000 square meters, which contributes to preserving the historical and environmental value of the area.

Phases of project implementation

The project is implemented through three main integrated phases, including preliminary and preparation works, environmental remediation and marine works, then urban development and enhancing use, with the aim of achieving a balance between restoring the historical identity of the region, improving the marine environment, and developing the sustainable urban fabric.

The first phase included preparation, preparation and removal of obstacles. The existing infrastructure was reshaped to reshape the marine environment, by removing infrastructure, roads, and facilities that were not compatible with the development vision, and re-excavating areas that had been filled in over the past decades as a result of urban expansion.

This stage resulted in preparing the entire site for subsequent construction works, removing about 185,000 square meters of existing elements, removing more than 12,000 linear meters of infrastructure, in addition to removing more than 200,000 square meters of roads, leveling about 300,000 square meters of land, and evacuating The site is full of inappropriate facilities, including the SAPTCO station and the pedestrian bridge, which contributed to raising the readiness of the site and reorganizing it according to the general plan of the project.

The second phase, which is the current phase, focuses on environmental remediation and marine works, and includes improving the ecosystem in Lake Arbaeen, re-excavating and shaping the lake basin, and developing the surrounding infrastructure, in addition to restoring the coastline to revive nearby historical sites and creating a high-quality waterfront that reflects the heritage character of the region and supports tourism and recreational activities.

The ongoing works include dredging About 350 thousand cubic meters of the lake bed to improve its environmental and hydrological efficiency, constructing a 972-meter-long sea pier, and implementing 490-meter-long sea walls, in addition to reshaping an area of approximately one million square meters of the lake in order to enhance its integration with the surrounding urban fabric.

Developing and equipping the infrastructure

The works also include developing and equipping the supporting infrastructure in preparation for the subsequent operational stages, and paving the way for the establishment of a yacht marina and marine transport platforms. And water taxis, in a way that enhances tourism activities and raises the efficiency of maritime connectivity in the region, in addition to constructing a platform suspended on supports with an area of 1,313 square metres.

During the implementation of the second phase, the project recorded a notable achievement in the field of occupational safety, after achieving one million safe working hours with the participation of 690 employees and workers, in an indicator that reflects the commitment to applying the highest standards of occupational safety in various work sites.

The third phase aims to complete the development of the waterfront by establishing integrated urban and recreational facilities that include a marina. For yachts, green spaces, pedestrian bridges, and various public facilities, which contributes to rebuilding the urban fabric of the region, enhancing humanization, improving the quality of life, and raising the area’s attractiveness for residents and visitors.

The waterfront rehabilitation project is one of the specific projects associated with the revival of historic Jeddah, as it combines preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the region and developing its urban and marine environment, thus enhancing its position as a global heritage and tourism destination and supporting the goals of sustainable development and quality of life.

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