US engineering firm Parsons wins lead infrastructure role at New Murabba

New Murabba has appointed US-based engineering firm Parsons as Infrastructure Lead Design Consultant for the first phase of its flagship development in Riyadh, according to a statement issued by the developer.

New Murabba, a company owned by the Public Investment Fund, said the appointment marks a milestone as the project moves from vision to delivery. The agreement was signed at New Murabba’s headquarters by Michael Dyke, chief executive of New Murabba, and Carey Smith, chair, president and chief executive officer of Parsons.

Under the agreement, Parsons will oversee the design and integration of the project’s core infrastructure during phase one. This includes utilities, mobility systems and transportation networks.

Project shifts from vision to delivery

The company will be responsible for converting concept designs into detailed, constructible solutions intended to support the activation of the first phase and enable future stages of development.

New Murabba said the role will establish the technical foundation for the project, which is planned as a new downtown destination for Riyadh. It added that Parsons’ engineering experience, spanning more than 80 years, along with its digital design capabilities, will be central to delivering infrastructure aligned with the development’s objectives for a smart, sustainable and connected urban environment.

The developer said the appointment reflects its approach of partnering with international firms as it progresses from planning into implementation. It also highlighted the importance of integrating infrastructure planning with the wider masterplan to support connections between residential, commercial and leisure spaces across the development.

“Robust, future-ready infrastructure is at the heart of every thriving city,” Dyke said. “Our partnership with Parsons ensures that the systems powering Riyadh’s future downtown are designed for efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. Together, we are building the essential framework that will enable New Murabba to deliver an exceptional quality of life for generations to come.”

Smith said Parsons was proud to be involved in the project. “New Murabba is an extraordinary project that redefines sustainable urban development at a giga scale and Parsons is proud to be working with the New Murabba team on the development of this new destination,” she said.

“Applying Parsons’ extensive local experience, dating back to 1958, in managing complex urban projects in the Kingdom, our team is committed to delivering this world-class, mixed-use development, to the highest safety and quality standards.”

No further details were provided on the value of the contract or the timeline for the infrastructure design work.