Kuwait’s City of Silk

Kuwait begins constructing a splendid city from zero in one of the most enterprising and emulous projects in the Arabian Gulf.

If you thought that Burj Khalifa (818 meter) in Dubai is the tallest structure in the world then think again. Apparently, there are several taller buildings than Burj Khalifa towers which are currently in-progress of construction. In Kuwait, the proposed Mubarak Tower at Silk City (Madinat Al Hareer) will be 1001 meter high.

Madinat al-Hareer, or City of Silk is a colossal development-in-planning with an expanse of 250 sq km, roughly the same size as Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh. Taking its name from the historic Silk Road, a route which connected Europe and China via the Middle East, the project will echo this sentiment creating a rail network linking Kuwait to Damascus, Baghdad, Iran and China, it has been announced. The project aims to act as a passageway from Kuwait to Israel and increase links between the two countries.

Situated in Subiya opposite Kuwait City, City of Silk is set to include the world’s tallest tower, several designated zones or ‘cities’ for media, sport, culture, health and business among others, and a National Wildlife Sanctuary and parks. The city complex, masterplanned by British architects CivicArts (aka Eric R Kuhne Associates), will also include Olympic Stadia, residences, hotels and retail facilities. Up to 700,000 people could be housed in the city which is set to be built across Kuwait Bay and will be linked to Kuwait City by a 23.5 kilometre long bridge. There is also the prospect of a new airport for the city.

The project was approved by the Kuwait government in July 2008 and promises to be the future jewel of the Arabian Peninsula.

 It will be a marvel of design and engineering upon its scheduled completion in 2023, and will propel Kuwait into the global urban spotlight. With an initial government investment of over $132 billion and numerous private investors, the construction is underway on the basic infrastructure of the site, with various stages of construction taking place over the next decade. The City will host a number of innovative landmarks, including…

The Jaber Al Ahmed Bridge

This 23 kilometers bridge will connect Madinat Al Hareer with neighboring Kuwait City across Kuwait Bay – reducing travel time between the cities from an hour and a half to under 17 minutes. The bridge will also connect with two small islands in the middle of the bay, each with limited private developments.

The Burj Mubarak al-Kabir

Standing 1,001 meters above the desert, in reference to the popular Arabian Nights fairy tales on the region, the Mubarak al-Kabir Tower will consist of three twisting, interlocking structures and, at the time of its completion in 2016, will be the tallest in the world (Burj Khalifa, the current record holder, is a mere 800 metres while the proposed Kingdom Tower would be 1 metre less at 1,000 metres). Adjustable ailerons will be installed along the sides of the building to help it cope with strong desert winds, as the complex will house 30 story “neighbourhoods” of residential apartments, as well as many offices, restaurants, and businesses.

The Silk Road – Free Enterprise Zone

Advance Enterprise Zone will be designated a Free Zone for trade, investment and business incubator developments. Located next to a new International Airport, it will connect to an expanded Rail, Air and Road Network extending far into Central Asia.

Bubiyan Port

Potentially one of the closest sea ports to Central Asia, the Bubiyan Port is slated for construction on Bubiyan Island, Kuwait’s largest island. The port would handle traffic from Iran, Iraq, and other Middle-Eastern countries.

Resort & Hospitality

Extensive leisure and pleasure facilities will be developed in all four city centres. Riverside development will provide for extensive leisure waterfront activities, and the coastline will be developed as a new Arabian Riviera.

Education City

Partnerships with international educational institutions will expand the reach of Kuwait’s Tertiary Education system to include Asian, European and North American places of Higher Learning.

Sports City

A sprawling assemblage of sporting complexes, Olympic Stadia, recreation centers, parks and health facilities will highlight the City’s focus on athletic events and a commitment to physical excellence. There are also plans for several sports medicine and research academies.

Housing

Expanded housing plots, diversity of housing types, compelling family amenities, easy access to health care & education, self-sustaining neighbourhoods and an extensive park system will make these residential communities the most coveted resort and hospitality planned housing developments in the Arabian Gulf.

Convention and Exhibition Centers

How can such a huge project goes with convention centers? Hence, taking a cue from the World’s Fair and other major gatherings of entrepreneurs and professionals, the City’s facilities will host a variety of innovators from around the world to showcase advances in technology, energy, and design.

To know more about this mega project, check (HERE).

Look at the video on the link....things will be more clearer to you.

We decided to visit the construction site of "The Silk City".So the last weekend we drove to the area.......

Details in my next post