In Saudi Arabia, setec is involved in the Jazan and Eastern regions early on in the process: at this point, key decisions have not yet been finalised, and we have numerous levers at our disposal to steer these regions towards more sustainable development pathways.
Two examples of very large-scale spatial planning
Since 2023, setec has been supporting Saudi Arabia in defining long-term spatial strategies for these regions with very contrasting profiles: Jazan and the Eastern Province. Two regions, one shared ambition: to organise their development up to 2050 against a context of strong population growth. “We get involved at a very early stage. It is precisely at this point that the levers for action are the most powerful,” emphasises Alexis Mariani, Deputy Managing Director of setec organisation. Spatial planning does indeed make it possible to examine needs and solutions across an entire region.
Jazan: harnessing the resources of a region with high potential
Located along the southern coast of the Red Sea, the Jazan region stretches for nearly 300 km and is home to over 1.4 million people. A mountainous, agricultural region, it boasts significant assets.
As the lead contractor, setec is responsible for the manage-ment and technical coordination of the regional strategy, alongside partners such as the Institut Paris Region, Beyond, Alpin and CLS. Thanks to its expertise in urban planning, urban programming and project management, setec organisation acts as the coordinator among the other subsidiaries and partners.
Eastern Region: anticipating the development of a strategic territory
The Eastern Province is a region on a completely different scale. A key industrial region within the Saudi ecosystem, it is home to over five million people today and is experiencing rapid population growth: 10 million are projected by 2050. The planning challenges there are considerable.
“In both projects, our approach is based on scenarios,” explains Alexis Mariani. Following a detailed assessment and a “business as usual” scenario, several alternative trajectories are developed. “By working on these parameters from the outset, we can avoid urban sprawl, limit oversized infrastructure and preserve critical resources such as water.”
Setting the stage for sustainability
These projects draw on a wide range of expertise: urban planning, demography, economics, water, infrastructure, mobility, the environment, energy and waste. “We bring together highly specialised skills to build a global territorial vision,” summarises Alexis Mariani.
Beyond Jazan and the Eastern Region, these projects illustrate a firm conviction: sobriety hinges on early-stage decisions. “At this stage, nothing is set in stone. This is where engineering can really influence the direction things take.”
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