Foster awarded Jeddah transport plan

expat network

Foster awarded Jeddah transport plan

Foster + Partners has won the contract to develop a city-wide public transport plan for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The work includes the design of metro, ferry, bus, cycle, public spaces and stations.

The Jeddah Public Transport Programme (JPTP) consists of a three-line metro and light rail system, bus network, marine ferries and taxis and the supoportiung infrastructure, a tramway on the Corniche, around 46 stations, park and ride facilities and a bridge over the Obhur Creek.

The development of the metro system will also create a new urban amenity for the city at key locations below the elevated track.

The project is expected to cost $12 billion and authorities want it to be up and running within seven years.

The company said in a statement that it will be taking a “long-term, sustainable approach, which anticipates growth centuries from now”.

The statement added: “Designed in response to the local climate, the masterplan is city-wide and draws on the high-density, compacturban model of the ancient quarter of Al Balad, with its mixture of uses and comfortable, walkable shaded streets.

“Currently only 12 percent of the population live within a 10 minute walk of Jeddah’s transport nodes – the project aims to achieve 50 percent, through a process of densification and strategic planning.

“Each station node will create a new neighbourhood, with a unique character, and together these will create a diverse and vibrant city.”

Last year, Aecom Technology Corp secured an 18-month contract to provide consultancy services to support the preliminary planning and design phase of the Jeddah Public Transport Project. In July, French consultancy firm Systra won a contract to provide preliminary engineering designs for the project.

Source: Arabian Business

More info: http://tinyurl.com/l3jkn2m

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

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Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.