Mecca, Saudi Arabia - A Holy City in Transition

[Mplsuptown]

That's got to be one of the most hostile unlivable looking terrains to have built a city of this size. It reminds me of some kind of moonscape or what a city on Mars may sort of look like in the future. I guess the lack of green has a lot to do with it. Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to sound negative just saying.

[oogabooga]

Question!

Which part of the Grand mosque are they expanding? Its been way too long since I have visited Mecca.

[serendip finder]

It is too big and looms over the Kaaba.

It also occupied land that should be reserve for future expansion of the grand mosque. The number of pilgrims each year is increasing rapidly. Soon they will be needing more of those surrounding areas.

Even considering that it is Venetian style, which borrowed Arabian elements, the whole complex looks too European and out of character for the area.

[cmoonflyer]

[Gorgon]

This is going to sound funny but you wrote that that tower Abraj Al Bait, will be about 1,952ft tall, how much is that in metres? Same question as to sq metres for the Abraj Al Bait?

[Skyscraperologist]

Originally Posted by Gorgon

This is going to sound funny but you wrote that that tower Abraj Al Bait, will be about 1,952ft tall, how much is that in metres? Same question as to sq metres for the Abraj Al Bait?

Sorry I forgot to include the much more universal metric units.
The tallest of the towers is expected to reach a final height of 595 metres. And 15.6 million sq. ft. = 1,45 million square metres (approx.) I think the answer to your question probably helps 95% of humanity understand the height and floor space measurements.

BTW, if completed in 2009 (as scheduled), Abraj Al Bait will become the second tallest free-standing structure in the world. The first, of course, will be Burj Dubai.

[jh1]

Originally Posted by oogabooga

Question!

Which part of the Grand mosque are they expanding? Its been way too long since I have visited Mecca.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=566372

[Gorgon]

Hey Skyscraperologist, thank you for your reply.

595 metres tall and 1,45 million square metres? That's not only a real massive construction project, but judging by the pictures one of the most impressive Another couple questions, given the nature of such massive project is Mecca economically speaking very pro-tourism? Well, not really the just-for-fun, but the religious one? Also, since this project seems to be so expensive is the government planning or encouraging smaller projects for the not-so-rich people and students (hostels)?

[jh1]

Abraj Al bait when it's done :

[Metsada]

Originally Posted by Azi

They shouldn't be building massive skyscrapers above the sacred house. You will have people looking 'down' upon the house. I know most of you don't have a clue what I'm saying, but for those who have a sense, the end times are closer than we think.

They have to accomodate millions of people so they have to build enormous structures throughout the city.

[Skyscraperologist]

Originally Posted by Gorgon

Another couple questions, given the nature of such massive project is Mecca economically speaking very pro-tourism? Well, not really the just-for-fun, but the religious one? Also, since this project seems to be so expensive is the government planning or encouraging smaller projects for the not-so-rich people and students (hostels)?

You're asking good questions. I cannot speak as an expert on tourism in Mecca, but I could provide some facts on the matter. In 2007, over 15 million people visited Mecca, mostly for Umrah and Hajj. Tourism is critical to the health of the city's economy. In the last 7 months, the Saudi government has issued 3.24 million Umrah visas, indicating that most visits to the Holy City are domestic. Visitors to Mecca are not required to perform Umrah or Hajj. Many Saudis visit family members living in Mecca which has a rapidly growing population now approaching 2 million. The only time tourism is limited for any reason is during Hajj when an influx of pilgrims brings hotel occupancy rates in the city to 100%. To give foreign visitors a chance to participate in the annual pilgrimage, the Saudi government has placed limits on the number of Saudis who can visit the Holy City during Hajj. I recommend you visit the "Holy Mosque Expansion" thread in the Saudi Arabia Forum for information on the effort to accommodate the rapidly growing number of pilgrims visiting the Holy Mosque during Hajj. Never worry about money in Mecca.
Regarding the availability of affordable accommodations, it all depends on the timing of your visit. For example, a double-bed room at the “Zam Zam” tower in Abraj Al Bait can cost anywhere from $152 to $1388 per night depending on the time of year or even the time of month.http://www.asiarooms.com/saudi_arabi...nd_zamzam.html Speaking from experience, students are treated generously in Mecca. I stayed at a five-star hotel for three nights completely free. I simply spoke to the concierge about my financial limitations as a student and I was given literally one of the best rooms in the hotel free-of-charge. By the way, if you visit Mecca for Umrah or Hajj, you will be given any necessary medical treatment for free and that extends to medication.

For more information about tourism in Mecca:
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&sect...tegory=Kingdom

[Skyscraperologist]

Originally Posted by Gorgon

Hey Skyscraperologist, thank you for your reply.

Another couple questions, given the nature of such massive project is Mecca economically speaking very pro-tourism? Well, not really the just-for-fun, but the religious one? Also, since this project seems to be so expensive is the government planning or encouraging smaller projects for the not-so-rich people and students (hostels)?

You're asking good questions. I cannot speak as an expert on tourism in Mecca, but I could provide some facts on the matter. In 2007, over 15 million people visited Mecca, mostly for Umrah and Hajj. Tourism is critical to the health of the city's economy. In the last 7 months, the Saudi government has issued 3.24 million Umrah visas, indicating that most visits to the Holy City are domestic. Visitors to Mecca are not required to perform Umrah or Hajj. Many Saudis visit family members living in Mecca which has a rapidly growing population now approaching 2 million. The only time tourism is limited for any reason is during Hajj when an influx of pilgrims brings hotel occupancy rates in the city to 100%. To give foreign visitors a chance to participate in the annual pilgrimage, the Saudi government has placed limits on the number of Saudis who can visit the Holy City during Hajj. I recommend you visit the "Holy Mosque Expansion" thread in the Saudi Arabia Forum for information on the effort to accommodate the rapidly growing number of pilgrims visiting the Holy Mosque during Hajj.

Regarding the availability of affordable accommodations, it all depends on the timing of your visit. For example, a double-bed room at the “Zam Zam” tower in Abraj Al Bait can cost anywhere from $152 to $1388 per night depending on the time of year or even the time of month. http://www.asiarooms.com/saudi_arabi...nd_zamzam.htmlSpeaking from experience, students are treated generously in Mecca. I stayed at a five-star hotel for three nights completely free. I simply spoke to the concierge about my financial limitations as a student and I was given literally one of the best rooms in the hotel free-of-charge. By the way, if you visit Mecca for Umrah or Hajj, you will be given any necessary medical treatment for free and that extends to medication. Never worry about money in Mecca.

For more info about tourism in Mecca:
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&sect...tegory=Kingdom

[Skyscraperologist]

Originally Posted by Gorgon

Another couple questions, given the nature of such massive project is Mecca economically speaking very pro-tourism? Well, not really the just-for-fun, but the religious one? Also, since this project seems to be so expensive is the government planning or encouraging smaller projects for the not-so-rich people and students (hostels)?

You're asking good questions. I cannot speak as an expert on tourism in Mecca, but I could provide some facts on the matter. In 2007, over 15 million people visited Mecca, mostly for Umrah and Hajj. Tourism is critical to the health of the city's economy. In the last 7 months, the Saudi government has issued 3.24 million Umrah visas, indicating that most visits to the Holy City are domestic. Visitors to Mecca are not required to perform Umrah or Hajj. Many Saudis visit family members living in Mecca which has a rapidly growing population now approaching 2 million. The only time tourism is limited for any reason is during Hajj when an influx of pilgrims brings hotel occupancy rates in the city to 100%. To give foreign visitors a chance to participate in the annual pilgrimage, the Saudi government has placed limits on the number of Saudis who can visit the Holy City during Hajj. I recommend you visit the "Holy Mosque Expansion" thread in the Saudi Arabia Forum for information on the effort to accommodate the rapidly growing number of pilgrims visiting the Holy Mosque during Hajj.

Regarding the availability of affordable accommodations, it all depends on the timing of your visit. For example, a double-bed room at the “Zam Zam” tower in Abraj Al Bait can cost anywhere from $152 to $1388 per night depending on the time of year or even the time of month. http://www.asiarooms.com/saudi_arabi...nd_zamzam.htmlSpeaking from experience, students are treated generously in Mecca. During the off-season, which usually lasts from May-August (depending on the timing of Ramadan and the Hajj), I stayed at a five-star hotel for three nights completely free. I simply spoke to the concierge about my financial limitations as a student and I was given literally one of the best rooms in the hotel free-of-charge. By the way, if you visit Mecca for Umrah or Hajj, you will be given any necessary medical treatment for free and that extends to medication. Never worry about money in Mecca.

For more info on tourism to Mecca:
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&sect...tegory=Kingdom

[Azi]

Originally Posted by forrestcat

Its a city for worship.

Funny heh

[christos-greece]

Originally Posted by jh1

Abraj Al bait when it's done :

Hmm... looks very nice! And... Huge clock!!

[Maghreb010]

Nice!