A tiny, beautiful country on the coast of the Arabian Gulf is set to construct an enormous mega city – that will include the world’s tallest building.
Kuwait is emerging as an economic powerhouse and a highly desirable tourist attraction famous for modern architectural prowess. However, it’s latest project – named Madinat Al Hareer, or “Silk City” – puts its other attractions to shame.
The so-called mega city was originally proposed as a way to cope with Kuwait’s overpopulation.
However, it will also prove another jewel in the crown for the growing economic power of the small country – with the Kuwaiti Dinar already being the highest valued currency in the world.
Silk City is projected to attract substantial investment and is predicted to provide around 450,000 new job opportunities.
Covering a total of 250 square kilometers in Subiya, the project comes at an eye watering predicted cost of £104billion. It is planned to be completed within around 25 years.
But perhaps the most notable aspect of the city is the plan to include within it the new world’s tallest building, knocking the 828 metre-tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai off that pedestal.
The Burj Mubarak, being constructed in the centre of the city, wills tand at 1,001 meters tall – said to be an intentional tribute to the renowned folk tales’ collection 1001 Arabian Nights.
It is going to comprise 234 floors, and able to house 7,000 people when it is finished – a project that is some way off, as it is expected to take 25 years to construct.
The tower will consist of 7 vertical villages that include hotels, residences, offices as well as entertainment amenities.
In order to maintain stability and cope with the high winds found at such an altitude, the building is designed to have three interlocked towers, each twisted 45 degrees.
Additionally, adjustable vertical ailerons – small hinged sections, typically seen on the wings of an aircraft – will run along the entire height of the building, minimising the impact of the world.
The city will also come equipped with dozens of other attractions, including an Olympic Stadium, nature reservation area over the area of 2 square kilometers, a new airport and a duty free area. There will also be multiple amenities including business, leisure, athletic and environmental areas and conventions.
The city is set to be divided into four quarters, or villages – named the Financial Village, Leisure Village, Cultural Village and Ecological Village.
The whole Silk City will be surrounded by a green belt of gardens and vast green spaces to guarantee an unpolluted space to visit while living there.
The gross domestic product of Kuwait’s economy will grow to over USD110 billion by the end of 2023.
With a population of 4.25 million – only 1.5 million of whom are Kuwaiti citizens – this translates into one of the highest per capita GDPs in the Middle East, at just under £20,000.
