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City of Silk

Kuwait

1970 - 1970
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Project Description

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The City of Silk, also known as Madinat Al Hareer, is a large-scale, mixed-use urban development located in the northern Subiya region of Kuwait. This project spans 250 square kilometers and aims to create a modern urban center 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.
The vision for the City of Silk is “creating an economic and diplomatic initiative in Kuwait inward-focused property developments across the Middle East”. This vision includes a robust economic zone with enhanced connections to neighboring Iraq and Iran.

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To achieve its vision, a master plan was proposed for the City of Silk. This master plan includes creating thematic zones, including Finance City, Leisure City, and Ecological City, and will feature a range of infrastructure, including parks, a wildlife reserve, airports, rail systems, and a duty-free area. Public spaces and green parks, part of the Ecological City, will enhance social interaction and urban and environmental sustainability.

The City of Silk seeks to house 750,000 residents across 30 communities, each with 25,000 residents, providing access to world-class amenities and abundant job opportunities. Additionally, local communities across Kuwait will benefit from the creation of 450,000 new employment opportunities and the economic growth generated by the development.
The city will also function as a hub for commerce, education, and tourism, attracting international investors. Its leisure facilities, cultural centers, and eco-tourism attractions are expected to draw both locals and tourists.

Sustainability is a core focus, achieved through innovative water management technologies, such as seawater irrigation, desalination, and greywater recycling. While inclusivity will be promoted by creating communities catering diverse socioeconomic groups, ensuring equitable access to opportunities and resources.

The City of Silk is a collaborative effort between public and private entities, with the Tamdeen Group overseeing the implementation of the master plan, which was initiated as early as 2006 in collaboration with Ajiyal Real Estate & Entertainment Co. The Kuwait government is responsible for funding primary infrastructure, while Chinese construction firms, including the China Communications Construction Company, are responsible for building the city’s infrastructure. Additionally, the China Development Bank is involved in financing aspects of the project. Consultants such as London-based architects Eric R. Kuhne and Associates contributed to its design and conceptualization.

The project, with an estimated total cost of $132 billion, will span 25 years. Phase one, expected to commence in 2019 following agreements with Chinese entities, focuses on infrastructure development and foundational elements for future stages, with a projected cost of $86 billion. Key components of early implementation include the Subiya Causeway, construction of which began in November 2013, and subsequent residential and commercial developments. The Mubarak Al-Kabir tower, will be developed in later phases.

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