Al Widyan Saudi Real Estate Company (Al Widyan Co), part of one of the largest publicly listed property developers in KSA, has awarded a Smart City consulting contract to Orange Business Services for a new seven million square metre real estate development (Al Widyan) in Riyadh’s northern growth corridor.
Under the contract, Orange consultants will define the Smart City services, ICT infrastructure engineering guidelines, the operating model for the development, and the business strategy and options for the open access network.
The project, which is already under construction, will be delivered through a phased programme over a seven-year period. It will support the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which include having three cities ranked among the world’s top 100.
Orange will provide its Smart Cities consulting experience and expertise gained in the region, including large projects in KSA. A Smart City digital master plan typically comprises a range of seamlessly integrated solutions for businesses, residents and visitors and can include city management systems, traffic and mobility solutions, building and utilities management, as well as shared information and other services across a community-wide platform.
Al Widyan is a fully-integrated, mixed-use development and leisure destination based on the principles of wellness and quality of life. Al Widyan occupies a prime location 15 minutes by car from King Khalid International Airport and 20 minutes from downtown Riyadh. This puts it within reach of a population of over 8 million people, representing both a market and workforce for the development’s diverse mix of amenities and services, which include leisure, retail, education, healthcare, offices and homes.
Al Widyan Co is a wholly owned subsidiary of Al Akaria Saudi Real Estate Company (SRECO), which is two-thirds owned by the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
Dr. Khalid Alarfaj, Deputy CEO of Al Widyan Co, said: “Orange Business Services is providing us with a range of consulting and design services based on its global experience in intelligent cities. The ambition, scale and speed of major infrastructure projects can present a challenge, and we needed a trusted partner to ensure that intelligence was built into this new smart development at the outset.”
Mohammad AlOtaibi, Managing Director Orange Business Services Saudi Arabia, said: “KSA is a global centre for innovative Smart City developments, and Al Widyan will unobtrusively incorporate advanced technology to provide a sustainable, high quality of life and experiences for its residents, visitors and businesses.
“Orange aims to contribute toward boosting the economic attractiveness of cities in the Kingdom, where the scale of developments is ambitious and matched by the vision, leadership and resources required for success.
“These developments demand new business models and new thinking, and Orange is very well positioned to contribute as a global integrator and Smart City thought leader.”
Smart Cities are a major focus for Orange Business Services in the Arabian Gulf region, where it has been tailoring solutions for some of the region’s most high-profile Smart City developments over the last 10 years.
The Al Widyan contract is an opportunity to employ the latest technology in KSA, where Orange has worked on several high-profile projects including: The Digital City – ITCC; The Royal Commission at Yanbu; King Abdullah Financial District; King Abdul Aziz Road and Jeddah Economic City.
Orange Business Services has operated in the Middle East for over 50 years and established a local presence in KSA in 2012 to support enterprises across all sectors in the Kingdom. It has offices in the main cities across the three provinces of Saudi Arabia – Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam – supported by a Smart Cities regional centre of excellence in Dubai.