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Salwan Masterplan

Envisioning an unforgettable tourism destination in Saudi Arabia’s southwestern mountains

Saudi Arabia

A vision and illustrative masterplan for an entirely new tourism-focused city in the mountainous south-western region of Saudi Arabia.

Gillespies’ vision for ‘New City’ supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 — a national strategy to diversify the economy and position the Kingdom as a global tourism hub.

Our vision is based on a holistic approach to city making, blending expertise in economics, destination strategy, sustainability, engineering, and masterplanning to create a dynamic, future-focused urban environment.

Set in the breathtaking Asir region of Saudi Arabia — known for its dramatic mountain landscapes and temperate year-round climate — the new city will span 5,160 hectares and become home to 326,000 residents and 95,000 annual visitors.

Rooted in the natural grandeur of its setting, the masterplan celebrates the site's high altitude and rugged topography, harnessing sweeping views and immersive connections to the land. The result will be a landmark tourism and lifestyle destination, offering year-round recreation and cultural experiences that honour the region’s rich heritage while positioning Asir on the global map.

Project details

Title

Salwan Masterplan

Client

Confidential

Status

Complete

Gillespies team

Jim Diggle, Michael De Wet

Photography

Gillespies