Latest news with #Dyke
Saudi Gazette
31-07-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
New Murabba, Alat sign MoU to develop next-gen vertical transport for The Mukaab
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — New Murabba Development Company and Alat have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore advanced vertical mobility solutions — including next-generation elevators and escalators — for The Mukaab and the wider New Murabba development. The agreement focuses on deploying innovative technologies to enable seamless and intelligent movement within the mega urban destination. This includes the integration of transformative digital systems to elevate the visitor experience inside The Mukaab through cutting-edge, multi-sensory environments. Under the MoU, both parties will collaborate on identifying the best financing strategies for initial investments in hardware and R&D. The agreement also includes a feasibility study to establish high-performance manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia capable of meeting project demands, supporting national localization targets tied to New services such as warranty, maintenance, and software updates will also be jointly Dyke, CEO of New Murabba Development Company, said the agreement marks a key milestone in delivering a future-ready, smart urban destination."Our partnership with Alat reinforces our commitment to integrating next-gen technologies that will redefine urban living and visitor engagement," he CEO Amit Midha described the collaboration as a bold step toward shaping tech-enabled urban life."Combining Alat's AI-driven solutions with New Murabba's ambitious vision opens new possibilities for transformative smart city experiences," he Mukaab is envisioned as a next-generation urban marvel — measuring 400 meters in height, width, and length — making it the tallest and most prominent structure in combines traditional Najdi architectural aesthetics with advanced technology to create a mixed-use destination offering luxury hospitality, cultural attractions, residential units, retail zones, and interactive entertainment The Mukaab, visitors will be immersed in a world of innovation, from holographic 3D displays to a world-class digital sound system designed to accommodate large-scale structure will feature a one-of-a-kind lighting system that harmonizes art and innovation, enhancing the visual experience and seamlessly integrating with curated events and exhibitions.A unique pedestrian gateway will guide visitors through a tranquil path transitioning them from the bustling city into this immersive environment.
Korea Herald
01-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Saudi Vision 2030's smart city has S. Korea at its heart: NMDC CEO
Naver Cloud forms first Korean partnership with megasized smart city project to work on autonomous, smart technologies Saudi Arabia's capital is undergoing a massive urban transformation aimed at reshaping not only Riyadh, but the entire Middle East -- and the kingdom wants South Korea to be part of the initiative, according to the head of the state-owned developer leading the project. New Murabba Development Co., wholly owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, was established to build the world's largest modern downtown in Riyadh as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 initiative. Michael Dyke, CEO of NMDC, said Korea is emerging as a key partner for the project, citing the country's advanced technology and strong cultural ties with Saudi Arabia. 'Korea's advantage is that it already has a history and track record of operating within the kingdom,' Dyke said in an interview with The Korea Herald on the sidelines of the New Murabba Investment and Partnership Forum on Monday in Seoul. He referred to the economic boom of the 1970s and '80s, when Korean construction companies were instrumental in developing Saudi Arabia's infrastructure. 'The relationships are long and strong, and partnerships with Saudi companies are already well established from within South Korea,' he added. Dyke pointed to three pillars of partnerships with Korea: industrial, technological and real estate. 'One thing I would emphasize is that because of the scale of New Murabba, there will be multiple partnerships required to cover all areas,' he noted. New Murabba, spanning 19 square kilometers in Riyadh, is envisioned as a megasized smart city. At its center will be the Mukaab, a 400-meter-tall cuboid skyscraper that will house residences, retail, hospitality, cultural and leisure facilities under a single dome. Set to be the largest structure by volume, the Mukaab will be spacious enough to fit 20 Empire State Buildings. Construction is already underway, with completion targeted for 2030. 'We're in the capital city of Riyadh, and New Murabba will become the downtown of the capital city of the Middle East. The Mukaab, where we will have the high-tech core, will be the beating heart of this downtown,' Dyke said. Regarding the integration of Korean culture into the project, Dyke responded with enthusiasm. 'The simple answer is yes. With 100 million annual visits projected for the Mukaab, and 35 percent of those being international visitors, we need familiarity in food, retail and entertainment,' he explained. Dyke highlighted that his interest in Seoul is rooted in how it 'pushes the boundaries of technology and redefines how entertainment and food and beverage experiences are created.' In the years ahead, as Saudi Arabia prepares to host Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034, Dyke is confident that New Murabba will be ready to welcome millions of visitors with its state-of-the-art stadiums and integrated transit connectivity. 'So we are designing our city to be smart from the very beginning, and that's where our collaboration with Naver comes in, helping us ensure the city is future-proof for generations to come, not just for the next five, 10 or 20 years.' Despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Dyke appeared unconcerned, calling it a fact of life in today's world of constant change. 'Clearly, some things have happened more recently in the Middle East, but I know that much of the region is back to normal,' he said. 'It remains business as usual." On the day of the forum, Naver Cloud signed a memorandum of understanding with New Murabba, becoming the project's first Korean partner. The agreement opens the door to future collaboration in areas such as robotics, autonomous driving and smart city platforms, according to NMDC. 'Mukaab is a very complex ecosystem and requires companies of scale to match its scale,' Dyke said, explaining that Naver's technological prowess and capacity align with their needs. New Murabba planned to explore future collaborations in Seoul through a two-day closed-door forum on Tuesday and Wednesday, where more than 500 participants, including company executives, investors and government officials, were to engage in discussions on investment and partnership opportunities under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. minmin@
Korea Herald
01-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
S. Korea at heart of Saudi Vision 2030's smart city project: NMDC CEO
Naver Cloud forms first Korean partnership with the mega smart city project to work on autonomous and smart technologies Under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a massive urban development is underway in Riyadh that aims to transform not only the kingdom's capital but the entire Middle East, according to Michael Dyke, CEO of New Murabba Development Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. South Korea is emerging as a key partner for the New Murabba project, leveraging its advanced technology and strong cultural ties to Saudi Arabia. 'Korea's advantage is that it already has a history and track record of operating within the kingdom,' Dyke said in an interview with The Korea Herald on the sidelines of the New Murabba Investment and Partnership Forum held Monday in Seoul. He referred to the economic boom of the 1970s and 1980s, when Korean construction companies were instrumental in developing Saudi Arabia's infrastructure. 'The relationships are long and strong, and partnerships with Saudi companies are already well established from within South Korea,' he added. Dyke pointed to three pillars of partnerships with Korea: industrial, technological and real estate. 'One thing I would emphasize is that because of the scale of New Murabba, there will be multiple partnerships required to cover all areas,' he noted. New Murabba, spanning 19 square kilometers in Riyadh, is envisioned as a mega-sized smart city. At its center will be the Mukaab, a 400-meter-tall cuboid skyscraper that will house residences, retail, hospitality, cultural and leisure facilities under a single dome. Set to be the largest structure by volume, the Mukaab will be spacious enough to fit 20 Empire State Buildings. Construction is already underway, with completion targeted for 2030. 'We're in the capital city of Riyadh, and New Murabba will become the downtown of the capital city of the Middle East. The Mukaab, where we will have the high-tech core, will be the beating heart of this downtown,' Dyke said. Regarding the integration of Korean culture into the project, Dyke responded with enthusiasm. 'The simple answer is yes. With 100 million annual visits projected for the Mukaab, and 35 percent of those being international visitors, we need familiarity in food, retail and entertainment,' he quipped. He highlighted that his interest in Seoul is rooted in how it 'pushes the boundaries of technology and redefines how entertainment and food and beverage experiences are created.' In the years ahead, as Saudi Arabia prepares to host Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034, Dyke is confident that New Murabba will be ready to welcome millions of visitors with its state-of-the-art stadiums and integrated transit connectivity. 'So we are designing our city to be smart from the very beginning, and that's where our collaboration with Naver comes in, helping us ensure the city is future-proof for generations to come, not just for the next five, 10 or 20 years.' Despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Dyke appeared unconcerned, calling it a fact of life in today's world of constant change. 'Clearly, some things have happened more recently in the Middle East, but I know that much of the region is back to normal,' he said. 'It remains business as usual." On the day of the forum, Naver Cloud signed a memorandum of understanding with New Murabba, becoming the project's first Korean partner. The agreement opens the door to future collaboration in areas such as robotics, autonomous driving and smart city platforms, according to NMDC. 'Mukaab is a very complex ecosystem and requires companies of scale to match its scale,' Dyke said, explaining that Naver's technological prowess and capacity align with their needs. New Murabba plans to explore future collaborations in Seoul through a two-day closed-door forum on Tuesday and Wednesday, where more than 500 participants, including company executives, investors and government officials, engage in discussions on investment and partnership opportunities under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. minmin@
Korea Herald
30-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Saudi developer taps S. Korea as top partner for futuristic project
The head of New Murabba Development Company, the developer behind Saudi Arabia's futuristic urban development project, said Monday that South Korea has been chosen as the company's top partner for its advanced infrastructure and information technology capabilities, as well as its long history of collaboration with the Middle Eastern nation. "There is a long and strong history between the two nations of collaborating," said Michael Dyke, chief executive officer of the company, in an interview with Yonhap News Agency. "Working with countries and people we already know and share good alignment with is always a good start." New Murabba Development Company is set to hold the New Murabba Seoul Forum in Seoul on Tuesday and Wednesday to showcase its vision for building a new downtown in Riyadh. The event is expected to draw 500 participants, including company officials, government representatives and investors. As part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, the New Murabba project aims to develop more than 25 million square meters of floor area, including residential units, hotels, retail spaces, leisure facilities and community infrastructure. Dyke said the familiarity and history of successful collaboration led the company to choose South Korea as the first Asian stop for its global promotional campaign. He noted the legacy of South Korean construction firms in Saudi Arabia during the economic booms of the 1970s and 1980s, when they contributed to building key infrastructure, such as highways and port facilities, supporting the kingdom's petroleum-based economic growth. As its first partnership in South Korea, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Naver Cloud Corp., a cloud services affiliate of IT giant Naver Corp., to collaborate on advanced technologies, such as robotics, autonomous driving and smart city platforms, over the next three years. Naver is already active in Saudi Arabia's digital transformation efforts, including the development of digital twin platforms for major cities like Mecca. "We have been in dialogue with a number of South Korean companies," Dyke said, adding that more opportunities will be available for Korean firms to join the megacity project through consortiums and partnerships in other sectors. On the topic of regional geopolitical tensions, Dyke stressed that the situation in the Middle East has stabilized in recent weeks. "We are not seeing any slowdown in terms of interest, economic activity or long-term planning," he said. The first phase of the New Murabba project -- including the construction of the city center and the iconic Mukaab structure -- is scheduled for completion by 2030. The entire city is expected to open by 2040, he added. (Yonhap)
San Francisco Chronicle
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Dyke March to return to S.F. during Pride Weekend following leadership shakeup
The San Francisco Dyke March plans to return in full force this Pride Weekend after last year's festivities were abruptly canceled due to an internal shakeup. 'Since the end of February of this year, 7 committees formed and got down to the business of hosting a Dyke March in the traditions of years past, focusing on Dyke visibility and disability access,' organizers wrote in a statement released on Monday, June 23. 'Because of the volunteer efforts of these dedicated, devoted Dykes and their tireless and generous spirits, the Dyke March is back.' Now under new leadership, a pre-march rally is set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, at 19th and Dolores streets, and will feature performances by local acts Skip the Needle, jazz pianist Tammy Hall, and comedians Marga Gomez and Leigh Crow. The march immediately follows, leaving from 18th and Dolores streets and traveling its usual route to the Castro and back to Dolores Park. Dolores Street between 18th and 20th streets will be closed to traffic all day to accommodate crowds. Organizers ask that allies cheer from the sidelines while 'all Dyke contingents and individuals,' as well as cisgender and transgender women, participate in the march. 'Dykes (and Queers) are craving connection to each other in these turbulent times,' M Rocket, interim project director, told the Chronicle. 'Finding a way to channel the need for connection into a broader effort to support the community on this large scale is exciting and so gratifying, to feel like we've done something that may make a difference in the hope for real change.' A series of challenges — including deaths among its leadership and burnouts — prompted organizers to call off the 2024 event. Still, thousands gathered at Dolores Park for an impromptu Dyke March. Organizers said that they consulted the community to compose a collection of value statements that anchor the event's core mission. 'We dykes are against war, imperialism, all forms of genocide, including the ongoing US-backed genocide in Palestine,' part of the statement, shared to Instagram on Sunday, June 22, reads. 'We oppose the use of political, institutional, and military power to oppress marginalized groups of people, including Native peoples, Black people and other people of color, immigrants, asylum seekers, people with disabilities, and transgender individuals.' The Dyke March heavily relied on grant funding in previous years, but the 2025 revival is largely made possible by community donations. Organizers launched a fundraiser in March and have received nearly $65,000 of its $100,000 goal as of Monday. But there is still plenty of work to be done even after Pride Weekend to secure the future of the Dyke March. The event's 'new organizational membership model' will be unveiled at the fifth public Dyke Town Hall meeting on Aug. 20. An election for the new board is scheduled for Sept. 27.
