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Marsa Zayed

Aqaba, Jordan

2012 - Ongoing

Large Urban ProjectMarinaMaster PlanWaterfront

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Project Description

Approach Words: Sustainability, Urban Livability, Vibrant City

Public Policy Instruments: Financial Mechanism, Physical Intervention, Planning

Marsa Zayed is a major urban project in the city of Aqaba¹ and the largest mixed-use waterfront development project ever undertaken in Jordan.² ³ The project is located on the western shores of the Red Sea, approximately 5 kilometers southwest of Aqaba’s city center.⁴ It will be developed on the existing site of Aqaba’s seaport, which is being relocated, unlocking 2 kilometers of prime waterfront land for redevelopment.⁵

As part of Abu Dhabi Ports Group’s new agreements with the Aqaba Development Corporation in 2021, the project envisions “enhancing tourism, transport, logistics and digital infrastructure in the area, further strengthening Aqaba’s role as a key regional tourism and business hub”.⁶ ⁱ

Title: Al Aqaba Development Corporation Projects Master Plan including Marsa Zayed.

Source: Click Here

Title: The Master plan of Marsa Zayed Project.

Source: Click Here

Title: 3D View of the Cruise Terminal.

Source: Click Here

Title: 3D View of the Commercial and Business zones.

Source: Click Here

Title: Al Aqaba Development Corporation Projects Master Plan including Marsa Zayed.

Source: Click Here

Title: The Master plan of Marsa Zayed Project.

Source: Click Here

Title: 3D View of the Cruise Terminal.

Source: Click Here

Title: 3D View of the Commercial and Business zones.

Source: Click Here

Designed to become Aqaba’s central district and vibrant downtown, the project aims to position the city as a viable alternative to Amman for living and working. It seeks to transform Aqaba from a weekend retreat for Amman residents to a dynamic, year-round urban destination.⁷ Additionally, by introducing new marinas and establishing Aqaba as a premier yachting destination, the project aims to make the city a major Red Sea landmark and a welcoming gateway to Jordan.⁸ ⁹
The master plan of the project will extend over an area of 3.2 square kilometers across the Marsa Zayed site,¹⁰ featuring multiple districts with high-rise residential towers, retail outlets, ng establishments, commercial spaces, recreational and entertainment facilities, as well as business, financial, hotel, and leisure zones.¹¹ ¹²
Key components of the master plan include:¹³ ¹⁴

3,000 hotel rooms,
Over 18,000 premium residential units, including villas, townhouses, and apartments,
Cruise ship terminal serving as a gateway for Red Sea visitors, featuring at least 300 marina berths,
A dedicated business and financial district.

Owner/Developer (Public)

Jordanian government ²²

Al Aqaba Development Corporation ²³

Owner/Developer

Abu Dhabi Ports Group ²⁴

Consultant/Designer

Dar Al Omran

Maisam ²⁵

Funder

Abu Dhabi Ports Group ²⁶

Contractor/Implementer

Abu Dhabi Ports Group ²⁷

Al Aqaba Development Corporation ²⁸

Owner/Developer (Public)

Jordanian government ²²

Al Aqaba Development Corporation ²³

Owner/Developer

Abu Dhabi Ports Group ²⁴

Contractor/Implementer

Abu Dhabi Ports Group ²⁷

Al Aqaba Development Corporation ²⁸

Funder

Abu Dhabi Ports Group ²⁶

Consultant/Designer

Dar Al Omran

Maisam ²⁵

The site will benefit from its proximity to a modernized multi-purpose port and its location near the expanding King Hussein International Airport, making it well-positioned to accommodate increased foot traffic. With seamless connectivity to the South Coast Highway and close access to the city center, Marsa Zayed is set to become a premier destination for local and international investors, offering opportunities to lease, own, or co-develop serviced plots within a dynamic mixed-use and entertainment hub.¹⁵

A joint initiative between the Jordanian government,¹⁶ led by the Aqaba Development Corporation,¹⁷ and Abu Dhabi Ports Group,¹⁸ the project is designed to transform Aqaba’s waterfront. The master plan was developed by a consortium of Jordan’s Dar Al Omran and Maisam Group.¹⁹ With an estimated cost of $10 billion,²⁰ the project has been under implementation since 2024.²¹

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

N.A.

Endnotes

i More info about Al Aqaba Development Projects is available in this link: https://www.adc.jo/#

References

‘AD Ports Group and Aqaba Development Corporation Sign Multiple Agreements for Development of Tourism, Transport, Logistics and Digital Infrastructure’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/economy/ad-ports-group-and-aqaba-development-corporation-sign-multiple-agreements-for-development-of-tourism-transport-logistics-and-digital-infrastructure/>
‘Marsa Zayed | Brash’. (2023). Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://brash.agency/project/marsa-zayed/>
‘Marsa Zayed Aqaba, Jordan’. (n.d.). KEO Main. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.keo.com/master-developments-1/marsa-zayed-aqaba%2C-jordan>
‘Case Study – Marsa Zayed’. (n.d.). Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://sagerdrone.com/caseStudies/case-study-marsa-zayed>
‘Al Raha Village, Marsa Zayed | maisam – architects and engineers’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.maisam.com.jo/content/al-raha-village-marsa-zayed-0>
‘AD Ports Group Appoints Jordanian Consortium to Develop Marsa Zayed Masterplan’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/economy/ad-ports-group-appoints-jordanian-consortium-to-develop-marsa-zayed-masterplan/>
‘Al Raha Village, Marsa Zayed | maisam – architects and engineers’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.maisam.com.jo/content/al-raha-village-marsa-zayed-0>
‘AD Ports Group and Aqaba Development Corporation Sign Multiple Agreements for Development of Tourism, Transport, Logistics and Digital Infrastructure’. (n.d.). Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/economy/ad-ports-group-and-aqaba-development-corporation-sign-multiple-agreements-for-development-of-tourism-transport-logistics-and-digital-infrastructure/>
‘Case Study – Marsa Zayed’. (n.d.). Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://sagerdrone.com/caseStudies/case-study-marsa-zayed>
‘AD Ports Group Appoints Jordanian Consortium to Develop Marsa Zayed Masterplan’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/economy/ad-ports-group-appoints-jordanian-consortium-to-develop-marsa-zayed-masterplan/>
‘AD Ports Group Appoints Jordanian Consortium to Develop Marsa Zayed Masterplan’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/economy/ad-ports-group-appoints-jordanian-consortium-to-develop-marsa-zayed-masterplan/>
‘Marsa Zayed Aqaba, Jordan’. (n.d.). KEO Main. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.keo.com/master-developments-1/marsa-zayed-aqaba%2C-jordan>
‘Marsa Zayed Aqaba, Jordan’. (n.d.). KEO Main. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.keo.com/master-developments-1/marsa-zayed-aqaba%2C-jordan>
‘AD Ports Group and Aqaba Development Corporation Sign Multiple Agreements for Development of Tourism, Transport, Logistics and Digital Infrastructure’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/economy/ad-ports-group-and-aqaba-development-corporation-sign-multiple-agreements-for-development-of-tourism-transport-logistics-and-digital-infrastructure/>
‘AD Ports Group Appoints Jordanian Consortium to Develop Marsa Zayed Masterplan’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/economy/ad-ports-group-appoints-jordanian-consortium-to-develop-marsa-zayed-masterplan/>
‘Marsa Zayed | Brash’. (2023). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://brash.agency/project/marsa-zayed/>
‘Abu Dhabi to launch marina project in Jordan in 2024’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/abu-dhabi-to-launch-marina-project-in-jordan-in-2024-ukzs2v5r>
‘AD Ports Group and Aqaba Development Corporation Sign Multiple Agreements for Development of Tourism, Transport, Logistics and Digital Infrastructure’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/economy/ad-ports-group-and-aqaba-development-corporation-sign-multiple-agreements-for-development-of-tourism-transport-logistics-and-digital-infrastructure/>
‘AD Ports Group Appoints Jordanian Consortium to Develop Marsa Zayed Masterplan’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/economy/ad-ports-group-appoints-jordanian-consortium-to-develop-marsa-zayed-masterplan/>
‘Marsa Zayed | Brash’. (2023). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://brash.agency/project/marsa-zayed/>
‘Abu Dhabi to launch marina project in Jordan in 2024’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/abu-dhabi-to-launch-marina-project-in-jordan-in-2024-ukzs2v5r>
‘Marsa Zayed | Brash’. (2023). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://brash.agency/project/marsa-zayed/>
‘Abu Dhabi to launch marina project in Jordan in 2024’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/abu-dhabi-to-launch-marina-project-in-jordan-in-2024-ukzs2v5r>
‘AD Ports Group and Aqaba Development Corporation Sign Multiple Agreements for Development of Tourism, Transport, Logistics and Digital Infrastructure’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/economy/ad-ports-group-and-aqaba-development-corporation-sign-multiple-agreements-for-development-of-tourism-transport-logistics-and-digital-infrastructure/>
‘AD Ports Group Appoints Jordanian Consortium to Develop Marsa Zayed Masterplan’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/economy/ad-ports-group-appoints-jordanian-consortium-to-develop-marsa-zayed-masterplan/>
‘AD Ports Group and Aqaba Development Corporation Sign Multiple Agreements for Development of Tourism, Transport, Logistics and Digital Infrastructure’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/economy/ad-ports-group-and-aqaba-development-corporation-sign-multiple-agreements-for-development-of-tourism-transport-logistics-and-digital-infrastructure/>
‘AD Ports Group and Aqaba Development Corporation Sign Multiple Agreements for Development of Tourism, Transport, Logistics and Digital Infrastructure’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/economy/ad-ports-group-and-aqaba-development-corporation-sign-multiple-agreements-for-development-of-tourism-transport-logistics-and-digital-infrastructure/>
‘Abu Dhabi to launch marina project in Jordan in 2024’. (n.d.). . Retrieved January 1, 2025, from <https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/abu-dhabi-to-launch-marina-project-in-jordan-in-2024-ukzs2v5r>

Marsa Zayed

Aqaba, Jordan

2012 - Ongoing

Project Description

Project Link, Endnotes and References

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