The Jeddah South Corniche Project stands out as one of the most significant initiatives aimed at developing Saudi Arabia’s waterfronts, particularly in Jeddah. Stretching along the southern coastline of the Bride of the Red Sea, the project seeks to revitalise an area that had been nearly abandoned. Under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, this initiative will transform the district into a world-class destination, rich in both leisure and tourism offerings. In this article, we will shed light on the project’s key features, major development phases, primary objectives, and the anticipated impact on the city once the project is complete.
Project Background
Jeddah is among the most diverse cities in Saudi Arabia, both demographically and economically, and benefits from a strategic location along the Red Sea coast. This position offers vast potential for investment in tourism and leisure. While the northern waterfront has undergone significant development in recent years, the southern section of the corniche has remained largely overlooked, despite its natural appeal and untapped land suitable for development.
The idea behind the Jeddah South Corniche Project emerged to address this imbalance and promote geographical equity in services and infrastructure. The initiative envisions a comprehensive redevelopment of several kilometres of southern coastline, creating attractive public spaces and facilities that serve residents and enhance overall quality of life.
Project Components
The Jeddah South Corniche Project is envisioned as a comprehensive, mixed-use development that brings together a wide array of recreational, urban, and service-oriented elements. Key components include:
- A main promenade stretching approximately 3 to 5 kilometres along the shoreline, dedicated to pedestrians and fitness enthusiasts.
- A designated cycling path designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage outdoor activity.
- Extensive green spaces planted with hundreds of thousands of trees and plants, offering a shaded, natural setting for visitors.
- Children’s play areas and open spaces tailored for family-friendly activities.
- A sandy swimming beach equipped with amenities and visitor services.
- Service facilities including smart restrooms, shaded seating, retail kiosks, and comfortable lounging areas.
- Modern lighting systems and surveillance cameras to enhance safety and security throughout the site.
All features have been carefully designed with inclusivity in mind. The corniche will be fully accessible, with paved walkways and elevators positioned at key points to ensure ease of movement for people with disabilities.
Phased Development
The Jeddah South Corniche Project has been divided into several implementation phases to ensure efficiency and timely delivery. The early stages focused on developing the Al Saif Beach area, which marked the starting point of this broader waterfront transformation. Approximately three kilometres of coastline were initially opened to the public, complete with essential infrastructure and core amenities.
Subsequent phases expanded the project further south, linking it with similar initiatives such as the University Promenade. This expansion forms part of a comprehensive strategy to revitalise more than 50 kilometres of Jeddah’s coastline.
Development Objectives
The project aligns with a range of developmental and strategic goals at both the local and national levels. Chief among these are:
- Enhancing quality of life by providing green, recreational public spaces that encourage social interaction, sports, and cultural activities.
- Boosting domestic and international tourism, with the project expected to attract visitors from within Jeddah and beyond as its leisure and commercial facilities take shape.
- Achieving spatial equity through the development of Jeddah’s southern districts, which had long been underserved compared to the more developed northern neighbourhoods.
- Encouraging investment, particularly in real estate and service sectors along the southern coast, contributing to local GDP growth and job creation.
- Improving the urban landscape by integrating natural elements with contemporary urban planning, while removing previous visual and environmental blight from the waterfront.
Economic and Social Impact
The project’s influence goes beyond aesthetic enhancements. It is expected to generate significant economic and social benefits, including:
- The creation of job opportunities across sectors such as tourism, services, and facility management.
- Increased land and property values in the surrounding areas, helping to stimulate the real estate market in southern Jeddah.
- Strengthened social cohesion through the availability of safe, inclusive public spaces for families and community gatherings.
- Reduced pressure on the northern corniche, which had been experiencing congestion due to the lack of comparable recreational alternatives elsewhere in the city.
Future Outlook
As expansion and development continue, the Jeddah South Corniche is poised to become one of the city’s leading leisure and lifestyle destinations. Future plans include integrating the corniche with hospitality, tourism, and retail developments, establishing it as a new growth corridor aligned with Jeddah’s ambitions to emerge as a world-class coastal tourism hub.
The project is expected to feature prominently within national initiatives such as New Jeddah and Sustainable Tourism Destinations, especially amid growing interest in marine and coastal tourism experiences.
The Jeddah South Corniche is a prime example of what modern urban projects can achieve when carefully planned and grounded in the real needs of the community. It represents more than just a revitalised waterfront—it is a step toward a more balanced, inclusive, and beautiful Jeddah, echoing the spirit of transformation that defines the Kingdom’s broader ambitions.
As the project continues to evolve, it opens the door to fresh opportunities for residents, visitors, and investors alike, reinforcing Jeddah’s role as a dynamic and forward-looking city on the Red Sea.
