COUNTRY FOCUS: KSA
Orange Business Services has
been awarded a Smart City
consulting contract for one of
the biggest projects of its kind
in KSA. Intelligent CIO finds
out more. . . .
/////////////////
Smart City expertise
to be provided to KSA
development by Orange
Business Services
A
l 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
48
INTELLIGENTCIO
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, KSA’s sovereign
wealth fund. Dr. Khalid Alarfaj, Deputy CEO
of Al Widyan Co, said: “Orange Business
www.intelligentcio.com