In Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia, one of Islam’s holiest cities and a spiritual center since the year 622 CE, a quiet yet profound transformation is underway. Madinah Region Development Authority (MDA) is leading a digital revolution that blends centuries of heritage with cutting-edge technology—redefining urban planning and sustainability in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

At the heart of this transformation is the Manarah Urban Data Platform (MUDP), a comprehensive digital twin of the city. Since its launch in 2018, MUDP has modeled 55 square kilometers of urban space, scanned over 7,000 kilometers of roads and documented more than 300,000 buildings and 18,500 businesses. It has digitally preserved 57 heritage sites—including the historic Aliyah Farms—and protected 26 square kilometers from urban sprawl.

This initiative supports Vision 2030’s goal of welcoming 30 million pilgrims annually, but it’s not just about expansion. It’s about balance: growing intelligently while honoring Madinah’s rich cultural legacy. Manarah enables planners to simulate floods, redesign roads for walkability and even plan district-level quarantines, making Madinah a global model for smart, inclusive and resilient urban development.

Accelerating Urban Intelligence

Turning a historic city into a smart city posed significant challenges, including complex data, strict regulations and the need for seamless collaboration across government agencies. After evaluating multiple technologies, MDA selected Bentley’s iTwin Capture tools for their high-quality visuals, processing power and integration capabilities.

In early 2024, MDA deployed DJI Matrice 300 RTK drones to map 6.6 square kilometers in just 16 working days, cutting survey time by 43%. The data was processed into detailed 3D models using iTwin Capture and published via Orbit 3DM and Cesium, making it accessible across both intranet and internet platforms.

Manarah unified 475 layers of geospatial data into a single digital environment, enabling real-time collaboration across more than 20 government departments. Bentley’s tools helped document over 300,000 building facades and analyze urban districts in 3D. Planners used exported models to study walkability in key areas like the Qeba corridor, while digital surface models powered flood simulations for extreme weather scenarios.

The platform also supported district-level quarantine planning during the pandemic, using accurate building and business data. By digitizing workflows, MDA improved transparency, reduced environmental disruption and launched a USD 250 million heritage preservation initiative—demonstrating how innovation can protect both people and culture.

Measurable Impact

MDA’s digital strategy delivered tangible results across multiple dimensions.

• Accelerated data capture: Reality modeling of 6.6 square kilometers was completed in 16 days—43% faster than traditional methods. Over 7,000 kilometers of roads were scanned, generating 1.04 million panoramic images and 7,104 kilometers of LiDAR runs published for transparency.
• Comprehensive urban modeling: High-resolution capture of 55 square kilometers, integration of 475 geospatial layers and processing of more than 300,000 building facades across 31 districts supported zoning, planning and service delivery.
• Smart city infrastructure: Verification of more than 18,500 businesses, implementation of over 300 ISO-aligned indicators and expansion of the city area by 3.1% (from 677 to 698 square kilometers) with a 4.9% increase in farm area.
• Sustainability and resilience: Preservation of 1.45 square kilometers of urban farms and protection of 26.28 square kilometers from sprawl. MDA planted 150,000 trees, added 1.3 square kilometers of canopy and enhanced disaster preparedness through flood simulations for rainfall up to 112 millimeters per day.
• Cultural and mobility enhancements: Documentation of 57 heritage sites fueled a USD 250 million preservation initiative. 172 kilometers of roads were redesigned for pedestrians and cyclists, including a three-kilometer corridor linking the Prophet’s Mosque and Qeba Mosque. Fourteen historic districts were studied for modernization without demolition.

A Model for Global Urban Transformation

By integrating Bentley’s tools, MDA reduced risk, saved time and empowered data-driven governance. The result is a city that honors its past while embracing the future—a benchmark for sustainable urban transformation.

“Bentley’s iTwin Capture, Orbit 3DM Publisher and Cesium empowered us to transform Madinah’s urban development with unprecedented speed, precision and sustainability,” said Fayez Al Sayil, Director of the Geographical Information Center and Urban Observatory. “This enabled smarter planning, safeguarded cultural heritage and prepared our city for a resilient, data-driven future.”

Madinah’s journey proves that smart cities don’t have to sacrifice tradition. With the right tools and vision, they can preserve it—while building a future that’s inclusive, sustainable and ready for the challenges ahead.

Author/Credit

Aude Camus

Aude Camus joined Bentley Systems in 2015 and currently serves as Senior Product Marketing Manager for iTwin Capture products. With over 20 years in the geospatial and reality capture space, she has developed a strong passion for technologies that bridge the physical and digital worlds. She is especially drawn to how reality capture turns complex data into something intuitive and accessible for everyone. She graduated from SKEMA Business School in France, where she specialized in innovative companies, so working on cutting-edge technologies has always been part of the plan.