Jubail Industrial City

Jubail, located on Saudi Arabia’s eastern coast, is the world’s largest industrial city and a cornerstone of the kingdom’s economic diversification strategy. Originally a small fishing village, it was transformed in 1975 into a major petrochemical and manufacturing hub under the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu. The city features Jubail Industrial City, home to Saudi Aramco, SABIC, and other global energy firms, and boasts one of the largest desalination plants in the world. Jubail is expanding with Jubail II, a massive industrial and residential extension. Despite its industrial focus, it includes planned residential communities, green spaces, and modern infrastructure, supporting a growing workforce. As a key player in Saudi Vision 2030, Jubail remains central to global energy and petrochemical industries.

Jubail is a new city, not just a district. Located on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, it was established in the 1970s as a major industrial city with the purpose of supporting the country’s growing oil and petrochemical industries. Initially a small fishing village, Jubail was transformed into a planned city with modern infrastructure, industrial zones, residential areas, and commercial centers.

The city is home to one of the world’s largest industrial complexes, including facilities for SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation) and other global energy companies. While it remains closely tied to Saudi Arabia’s industrial sector, Jubail is a distinct urban center and not a mere district within another city, designed to serve as a self-sustaining industrial and residential hub.

Jubail, originally a small fishing village, has transformed into one of the largest and most successful industrial cities in the world. Jubail has fully realized its vision as an industrial city, though its long-term sustainability will depend on economic diversification and urban livability improvements.

Strengths:

• Economic Powerhouse – Home to the world’s largest petrochemical complex, Jubail Industrial City is a key contributor to Saudi Arabia’s GDP and global energy supply chains.
• Planned Urban Success – Designed as an industrial city in the 1970s, it has successfully balanced industrial growth with residential, commercial, and educational development.
• World-Class Infrastructure – High-quality utilities, logistics hubs, and transport networks enable efficient industrial and urban functioning.
• Sustainability Efforts – Despite being heavily industrial, it has integrated green spaces and environmental planning.

Challenges:

• Limited Cultural and Lifestyle Appeal – Primarily an industrial city, it lacks the social vibrancy of diversified urban hubs like Riyadh or Dubai.
• Heavy Industrial Dependence – Its economy is strongly tied to petrochemicals, making diversification a future challenge.