The tiny Middle East country of Kuwait is pursuing plans for a “megacity” which include a £64billion skyscraper set to become the world’s tallest.
Plans show Madinat Al-Hareer, also known as “Silk City”, will feature Burj Mubarak at its heart, tipped as replacing Burj Khalifa as the world’s tallest building.
It would rise to 3,284ft or 1,001 metres, in a nod to the classic Arab collection of folk stories, One Thousand and One Arabian Nights.
The structure’s design includes three connected towers and special protrusions to redirect the high winds which the skyscraper would be vulnerable to.
Plans show it rising 234 storeys with space for 7,000 people to live, though according to reports it will take 25 years to build.
Double decker, or even triple decker, lifts might also have to be installed to allow the skyscraper’s residents to move around more easily.
Kuwait’s ambitious scheme aims to help the Gulf Arab state to diversify away from oil and improve trade lins with China, Iraq and Iran.
Tamdeen Group’s “Silk City” plans include four districts which have a centre each: finance city, leisure city, ecological city and residential city.
Phase one of the project saw construction of the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Causeway, linking Kuwait City to the north of the country.
Mubarak Al Kabeer Port is also part of the first stage of the development and China’s Belt and Road initiative, which is made up of road, rail, digital and maritime routes in Asia, Africa and Europe.
The mega-project overcame a number of hurdles before construction work began, with the eldest son of Kuwait’s ruler facing stiff resistance from MPs.
Some criticised draft legislation which appeared to put the proposed mega-city beyond parliamentary oversight.
They also raised concerns alcohol could be allowed in the Muslim country, according to the Reuters news agency.
Under the plans, Madinat Al-Hareer will include an airport, Olympic Stadium and nature reserve, with space for 700,000 people across the new city.
