Construction of New 'Kaaba' in Saudi Arabia Halted, Here Are the Reasons!
Starting early this year, specifically on 28 January, Saudi Arabia temporarily halted the construction of its most ambitious project in the capital, Riyadh, known as The Mukaab. The suspension of this ‘new Kaaba’ project was implemented to facilitate a review of spending priorities and the financial feasibility of mega-projects within the Vision 2030 transformation agenda.
The Mukaab is one of the iconic projects touted as a futuristic symbol of Vision 2030, the ambitious programme by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to diversify the Saudi economy and reduce dependence on oil. However, the project has now joined a list of mega-projects being scaled back or delayed, amidst efforts by the Public Investment Fund (PIF)—which manages approximately US$925 billion in assets—to control costs and prioritise expenditure.
The mega-project has also faced scrutiny regarding its potential environmental impact. Amid the ambitions of large-scale transformation through the Vision 2030 programme, this massive project is deemed to present serious challenges in terms of sustainability. In its current form, The Mukaab is considered difficult to align with the green development vision promoted by the government. Projects of such massive scale risk increasing resource consumption and carbon emissions, as well as damaging surrounding natural habitats.
By comparison, the Saudi Green Initiative, which is central to Riyadh’s sustainability agenda, aims to develop green open spaces in urban areas. Conversely, The Mukaab is designed as a giant enclosed building that requires year-round cooling and lighting systems. Yasser Elsheshtawy, a non-resident researcher at the Arab Gulf States Institute and a professor at Columbia University, stated that the enormous size of the building will also require a massive water supply, despite the region being classified as a water-scarce area. The construction process is estimated to generate significant volumes of waste, while the distribution of materials and building operations have the potential to increase carbon emissions.
The Mukaab was previously designed as a metal cube measuring 400 metres by 400 metres, containing a dome with the world’s largest artificial intelligence (AI)-based screens. Visitors were planned to view these displays from a multi-level structure resembling a ziggurat, standing over 300 metres tall inside the building. The design of The Mukaab also drew criticism on social media upon its unveiling due to its resemblance to the Kaaba, the sacred structure at the centre of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, the holiest site in Islam.