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Lifecycle-Based Regional Development Strategies for Long-Term Value Creation in Saudi Mega Projects
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Lifecycle-Based Regional Development
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I2-1722170
Abstract
Saudi Arabia’s giga and mega projects are no longer just standalone construction programmes: they are territorial transformation platforms that are expected to generate durable regional value through public investment, private participation, infrastructure systems, tourism assets, housing districts, logistics corridors and cultural destinations. This review develops a lifecycle-based framework for developing regional development strategies in Saudi mega projects. The paper synthesises recent literature and policy evidence from 2020 to 2025, focusing on the creation, protection and renewal of value from project origination to long-term operation. It argues that the alignment of six lifecycle phases is critical for sustainable value creation: strategic selection, regional integration, design and procurement, delivery governance, operational activation and adaptive renewal. A systematic review methodology was applied to screen peer-reviewed and policy sources, extract recurring themes and translate them into a governance model suitable for Vision 2030 projects. The results indicate that Saudi mega projects can produce lasting value if the delivery metrics are broadened to include economic diversification, local capability formation, environmental performance, social inclusion, digital continuity and post-handover asset productivity, in addition to cost, schedule and output completion. The review closes with strategic recommendations for policymakers, developers and regional authorities to enhance whole life governance, reduce fragmentation and turn capital projects into resilient regional ecosystems.
Keywords
Lifecycle Governance, Regional Development, Saudi Arabia, Giga Projects, Vision 2030, Long-Term Value, Infrastructure Strategy, Sustainable Megaprojects.
How to cite this paper
@article{1722170,
author = {Shahzad Jahangeer},
title = {Lifecycle-Based Regional Development Strategies for Long-Term Value Creation in Saudi Mega Projects},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {2},
pages = {239-250},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1722170.pdf},
abstract = {Saudi Arabia’s giga and mega projects are no longer just standalone construction programmes: they are territorial transformation platforms that are expected to generate durable regional value through public investment, private participation, infrastructure systems, tourism assets, housing districts, logistics corridors and cultural destinations. This review develops a lifecycle-based framework for developing regional development strategies in Saudi mega projects. The paper synthesises recent literature and policy evidence from 2020 to 2025, focusing on the creation, protection and renewal of value from project origination to long-term operation. It argues that the alignment of six lifecycle phases is critical for sustainable value creation: strategic selection, regional integration, design and procurement, delivery governance, operational activation and adaptive renewal. A systematic review methodology was applied to screen peer-reviewed and policy sources, extract recurring themes and translate them into a governance model suitable for Vision 2030 projects. The results indicate that Saudi mega projects can produce lasting value if the delivery metrics are broadened to include economic diversification, local capability formation, environmental performance, social inclusion, digital continuity and post-handover asset productivity, in addition to cost, schedule and output completion. The review closes with strategic recommendations for policymakers, developers and regional authorities to enhance whole life governance, reduce fragmentation and turn capital projects into resilient regional ecosystems.},
keywords = {Lifecycle Governance, Regional Development, Saudi Arabia, Giga Projects, Vision 2030, Long-Term Value, Infrastructure Strategy, Sustainable Megaprojects.},
month = {August},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I2-1722170}
}