Kuwait's Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) has awarded contracts worth KD173.5 million ($564 million). These contracts cover the construction of roads and infrastructure. The project supports 13,812 residential units in South Sabah Al Ahmad City, 80 km south of Kuwait City.
THE CONTRACTS
China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited won the first contract worth KD93.7 million. The company will construct and maintain infrastructure for road access. This project will serve 7,623 new residential units in the N5, N7, N9, and N10 suburbs.
The Sinohydro Corporation won another contract worth KD79.8 million. They will build 6,189 houses in the residential suburbs N4, N6, and N8.
PROJECT PLANNING
The two companies will finish the work within 900 days. This is according to Amina Abdul Karim Al Awadhi, the Deputy Director General for Supervision and Information Systems Affairs.
Al Awadhi further revealed that the tender for the third contract has opened recently. This will be for the general infrastructure for the rest of the residential plots. It's an extra contract that includes 6,568 plots. So, it will bring the number of total plots in the city to 20,830.
SCOPE OF INFRASTRUCTURE WORK
The project consists of the following infrastructure developments:
- Implanted rain, sewage, irrigation, treated water, and freshwater networks.
- Traffic systems construction.
- Construction of telephone networks, road lighting, electrical cable crossings, and irrigation tank buildings. Building of Electric Sub-stations.
TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENTS
The contractors will also improve secondary and collector roads. Here they will lay the first, second, and surface layers of asphalt on these roads.
WHAT IS SABAH AL AHMAD CITY?
Sabah Al-Ahmad City is a visionary, sustainable smart city. It features ten residential neighbourhoods, a central business district, and commercial and service zones. Designed by Foster + Partners, the city will accommodate a population of 280,000. The city will also create 145,000 jobs in various industries. So, they're aiming to develop the area into the urban core for Kuwait's southern sub-region.
With a focus on sustainability, Sabah Al-Ahmad City will also include extensive green spaces. This will fit well alongside a multi-layered public transport system and high-tech infrastructure. The strategic location near Saudi Arabia is also advantageous for Sabah Al-Ahmad City. It will mean that the city can act as a potential trade gateway and supply chain anchor for Kuwait.
A HUGE BENEFIT FOR SABAH AL AHMAD CITY
These contracts are a huge step for the developers working on Sabah Al Ahmad City. With proper planning and execution of this project, an appealing living environment will emerge. It could also spark more development across Kuwait City.
