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City of Silk

Kuwait

2005 - Ongoing

Economic DevelopmentLarge Urban ProjectMixed UseTouristic

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Project Description

Approach Words: Integrated City, Sustainability, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Financial Mechanism, Physical Intervention, Planning

The City of Silk, also known as Madinat Al Hareer, is a large-scale,¹ mixed-use² urban development project located in the northern Subiya region of Kuwait.³ This project aims to create a modern urban center⁴ that integrates residential, commercial, leisure, and cultural spaces. It is designed to be a global tourism and business hub, focusing on sustainable development while enhancing public spaces and the surrounding landscape.⁵
The vision for the City of Silk is “creating an economic and diplomatic initiative in Kuwait inward-focused property developments across the Middle East”.⁶ This plan includes a robust economic zone, with enhanced connections to the neighboring countries of Iraq and Iran.⁷

Title: The location of the City of Silk (2) in the Northern Side of Kuwait.

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Title: The Master Plan of The City of silk.

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Title: Aerial View of The City of Silk.

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Title: Mubarak Al Kabir at The City of Silk.

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Title: The location of the City of Silk (2) in the Northern Side of Kuwait.

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Title: The Master Plan of The City of silk.

Source: Click Here

Title: Aerial View of The City of Silk.

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Title: Mubarak Al Kabir at The City of Silk.

Source: Click Here

To achieve its vision, a master plan was proposed for an area of 250 square kilometers⁸ in the City of Silk.⁹ This master plan includes developing thematic zones, Financial City, Leisure City, Cultural City and Ecological City,¹⁰ and will feature a range of amenities, including parks, a wildlife reserve, airports, rail systems, and a duty-free area.¹¹ ¹² Specifically, key components include:

Housing facilities designed to accommodate 750,000 residents across 30 communities, each with 25,000 residents,¹³ providing access to world-class amenities and abundant job opportunities.¹⁴
Public spaces and green parks that aim to foster social interaction and enhance the quality of the urban environment.¹⁵ ¹⁶

Additionally, local communities across Kuwait will benefit from the creation of 450,000 new employment opportunities¹⁷ and the economic growth generated by the development.¹⁸

The city will also function as a hub for commerce, education, and tourism, attracting international investors.¹⁹ Its leisure facilities, cultural centers, and eco-tourism attractions are expected to draw both locals and tourists.²⁰

Sustainability is a core focus, achieved through innovative water management technologies, such as seawater irrigation, desalination, and greywater recycling.²¹ The project also aims to promote inclusivity by catering to diverse socioeconomic groups, ensuring equitable access to opportunities and resources.²²

Owner/Developer (Public)

Tamdeen Group ³²

Owner/Developer

Ajiyal Real Estate & Entertainment Co ³³

Consultant/Designer

Eric R. Kuhne & Associates ³⁴

Funder

Kuwait Government ³⁵

Contractor/Implementer

Ajiyal Real Estate & Entertainment Co ³⁶

Owner/Developer (Public)

Tamdeen Group ³²

Owner/Developer

Ajiyal Real Estate & Entertainment Co ³³

Contractor/Implementer

Ajiyal Real Estate & Entertainment Co ³⁶

Funder

Kuwait Government ³⁵

Consultant/Designer

Eric R. Kuhne & Associates ³⁴

The City of Silk is a collaborative initiative between public and private stakeholders. The Tamdeen Group, in partnership with Ajiyal Real Estate & Entertainment Co., initiated the master plan process in early 2006.²³ The Government of Kuwait is responsible for financing core infrastructure,²⁴ while implementation is supported by Chinese firms, including the China Communications Construction Company²⁵ and the China Development Bank.²⁶ Design and conceptual work have involved international consultants such as the London-based architectural firm Eric R. Kuhne and Associates.²⁷

The project, with an estimated total cost of $132 billion, is planned over a 25-year horizon.²⁸ While the formal development framework was launched after 2006, early infrastructure, including Subiya Causeway, was constructed ahead of the main urban development phases, with works beginning in 2013 and the bridge inaugurated in 2019.²⁹ The first phase of the City of Silk, which formally commenced around 2019 following agreements with Chinese entities, focuses on foundational infrastructure, utilities, transport networks, and early-stage residential and commercial districts, with an estimated cost of $86 billion.³⁰ Subsequent phases will include major landmarks such as the Mubarak Al-Kabir Tower.³¹

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

https://www.tamdeen.com/portfolio/madinat-al-hareer

Endnotes

N.A.

References

1. Alsabah, A., & Alsudairi, M. (2020). “Chinese” Developmental Zones in the Gulf: The Case of Kuwait’s North Economic Zone (Silk City). Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://kfcris.com/pdf/0de9b4de6261e454491bd538683cad4b5f71cfbb33fe4.pdf
2. Madinat Al Hareer | Tamdeen Group. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.tamdeen.com/portfolio/madinat-al-hareer
3. Kuwait, China in deal to build $82bn Silk City Project. (2019, February 19). Gulf Construction Online. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://gulfconstructiononline.com/ArticleTA?id=351286
4. Gulf Construction Online – 1001-m dream. (2007, December 1). Retrieved December 20, 2024, from http://80.241.146.114/gulfconstruction/news/9285_1001m-dream.html
5. Brown, A. (2019, February 21). Plans unveiled for phase one of Silk City. Construction Briefing. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.constructionbriefing.com/news/plans-unveiled-for-phase-one-of-silk-city/1137047.article
6. Kuwait’s City of Silk. (2008, October 3). Executive Magazine. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.executive-magazine.com/special-report/kuwaits%E2%80%88city-of-silk
7. Kuwait, China in deal to build $82bn Silk City Project. (2019, February 19). Gulf Construction Online. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://gulfconstructiononline.com/ArticleTA?id=351286
8. Silk City: Kuwait’s City of Dreams. (2019, February 27). We Build Value. Retrieved December 19, 2024, from https://www.webuildvalue.com/en/megatrends/silk-city-kuwait-s-city-of-dreams.html
9. Kuwait development authority requires staffing | MEED. (2014, April 6). MEED. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.meed.com/kuwait-development-authority-requires-staffing/
10. Kuwait’s City of Silk. (2008, October 3). Executive Magazine. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.executive-magazine.com/special-report/kuwaits%E2%80%88city-of-silk
11. Gulf Construction Online – 1001-m dream. (2007, December 1). Retrieved December 20, 2024, from http://80.241.146.114/gulfconstruction/news/9285_1001m-dream.html
12. Silk City: Kuwait’s City of Dreams. (2019, February 27). We Build Value. Retrieved December 19, 2024, from https://www.webuildvalue.com/en/megatrends/silk-city-kuwait-s-city-of-dreams.html
13. Kuwait’s City of Silk. (2008, October 3). Executive Magazine. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.executive-magazine.com/special-report/kuwaits%E2%80%88city-of-silk
14. Kuwait’s Silk City (Madinat Al Hareer): What You Need to Know. (2022, September 26). مدونة سكن. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://sakan.co/blog/en/silk-city-madinat-al-hareer/
15. Kuwait, China in deal to build $82bn Silk City Project. (2019, February 19). Gulf Construction Online. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://gulfconstructiononline.com/ArticleTA?id=351286
16. Kuwait’s Silk City (Madinat Al Hareer): What You Need to Know. (2022, September 26). مدونة سكن. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://sakan.co/blog/en/silk-city-madinat-al-hareer/
17. Kuwait’s Silk City (Madinat Al Hareer): What You Need to Know. (2022, September 26). مدونة سكن. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://sakan.co/blog/en/silk-city-madinat-al-hareer/
18. Gulf Construction Online – 1001-m dream. (2007, December 1). Retrieved December 20, 2024, from http://80.241.146.114/gulfconstruction/news/9285_1001m-dream.html
19. Gulf Construction Online – 1001-m dream. (2007, December 1). Retrieved December 20, 2024, from http://80.241.146.114/gulfconstruction/news/9285_1001m-dream.html
20. Gulf Construction Online – 1001-m dream. (2007, December 1). Retrieved December 20, 2024, from http://80.241.146.114/gulfconstruction/news/9285_1001m-dream.html
21. Kuwait’s City of Silk. (2008, October 3). Executive Magazine. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.executive-magazine.com/special-report/kuwaits%E2%80%88city-of-silk
22. Alsabah, A., & Alsudairi, M. (2020). “Chinese” Developmental Zones in the Gulf: The Case of Kuwait’s North Economic Zone (Silk City). Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://kfcris.com/pdf/0de9b4de6261e454491bd538683cad4b5f71cfbb33fe4.pdf
23. Madinat Al Hareer | Tamdeen Group. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.tamdeen.com/portfolio/madinat-al-hareer
24. Kuwait’s City of Silk. (2008, October 3). Executive Magazine. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.executive-magazine.com/special-report/kuwaits%E2%80%88city-of-silk
25. Alsabah, A., & Alsudairi, M. (2020). “Chinese” Developmental Zones in the Gulf: The Case of Kuwait’s North Economic Zone (Silk City). Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://kfcris.com/pdf/0de9b4de6261e454491bd538683cad4b5f71cfbb33fe4.pdf
26. Alsabah, A., & Alsudairi, M. (2020). “Chinese” Developmental Zones in the Gulf: The Case of Kuwait’s North Economic Zone (Silk City). Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://kfcris.com/pdf/0de9b4de6261e454491bd538683cad4b5f71cfbb33fe4.pdf
27. Kuwait’s City of Silk. (2008, October 3). Executive Magazine. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.executive-magazine.com/special-report/kuwaits%E2%80%88city-of-silk
28. Brown, A. (2019, February 21). Plans unveiled for phase one of Silk City. Construction Briefing. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.constructionbriefing.com/news/plans-unveiled-for-phase-one-of-silk-city/1137047.article
29. Kuwait development authority requires staffing | MEED. (2014, April 6). MEED. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.meed.com/kuwait-development-authority-requires-staffing/
30. Kuwait, China in deal to build $82bn Silk City Project. (2019, February 19). Gulf Construction Online. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://gulfconstructiononline.com/ArticleTA?id=351286
31. Brown, A. (2019, February 21). Plans unveiled for phase one of Silk City. Construction Briefing. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.constructionbriefing.com/news/plans-unveiled-for-phase-one-of-silk-city/1137047.article
32. Kuwait’s City of Silk. (2008, October 3). Executive Magazine. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.executive-magazine.com/special-report/kuwaits%E2%80%88city-of-silk
33. Retail & Leisure International. (2022, March 4). GCC – Signs of Resilient Recovery. Retail & Leisure International. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://www.rli.uk.com/gcc-signs-of-resilient-recovery/
34. Kuwait’s City of Silk. (2008, October 3). Executive Magazine. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.executive-magazine.com/special-report/kuwaits%E2%80%88city-of-silk
35. Kuwait’s City of Silk. (2008, October 3). Executive Magazine. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://www.executive-magazine.com/special-report/kuwaits%E2%80%88city-of-silk
36. Retail & Leisure International. (2022, March 4). GCC – Signs of Resilient Recovery. Retail & Leisure International. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://www.rli.uk.com/gcc-signs-of-resilient-recovery/