Makkah lies along the historic caravan route connecting Yemen to Syria. The Kaaba, at the city’s heart, is nestled in a valley surrounded by modest mountains: Alahmar to the north, Kaikaan to the south, and Abi Qubais, Ajyad Al Akbar, and Ajyad Al Asghar to the east and west. Historically centered in Wadi Ibrahim, the city has gradually expanded into adjacent valleys, with a rapidly growing population and extensive urban development.

CONTEXT & EVOLUTION

As a major cultural, social, and spiritual center, Al Haram presents a unique opportunity to shape Makkah’s urban future. However, the recent rise of high-density towers has departed from its vernacular roots, leaving the city balancing the daily lives of residents with the needs of Hajj pilgrims.

Over time, five districts have evolved around Al-Shamiya, each with a distinct character. These districts provide opportunities to develop land use strategies that integrate with the existing urban fabric.

Historically, Makkah was a low-rise vernacular city with simple, earth-toned buildings surrounded by natural hills. Today, it functions as the spiritual heart of Islam, hosting millions of pilgrims annually. Rapid growth has transformed it into a dense, vertical cityscape, reflecting the pressures of a modern metropolis.

The skyline has evolved over the last 150 years in response to social and economic demands, often overlooking the city’s socio-cultural and spiritual context. Without careful planning, continued vertical expansion risks turning Makkah into a congested commercial center.

VISION

To reimagine and develop the city as a future hub of culture and spirituality, one that harmonizes with nature while responding to the needs of Makkah’s people and Hajj pilgrims. The Kaaba, as the epicenter of the project, acts as the ultimate spiritual node. The design draws inspiration from the divine light radiating from the Kaaba, envisioned as a tree of life, its roots connecting spaces of social interaction, knowledge, and spiritual growth. The result is a city open to diverse flows of people and cultures.

To evoke the urban character and experiential quality of a Makkan city, the masterplan introduces a new typology of buildings and a vertical public realm that follows the site’s natural contours.
The built form is carefully sculpted to reflect the rise and fall of the terrain, breaking down massing into human-scaled layers that blend with the topography.
By opening key natural areas and vantage points, the plan creates public nodes that maintain a constant visual and spatial connection to Al Haram and the Kaaba, preserving the spiritual axis at the heart of Makkah.

Rather than following a rigid radial or grid pattern, the design evolves from the terrain itself, respecting natural contours and levels while addressing both social and environmental needs.
Layered landscapes, elevated walkways, and terraces oriented toward the Kaaba create spiritual vantage points for pilgrims, while social and retail areas serve the everyday life of Makkah’s residents.

At the peaks of the site, a vibrant green heart connects various programs and offers immersive experiences within what is known as the Shadows of Mercy.
The central walkway between the built blocks leading toward the Museum of Islam is lined and shaded by cascading greenery descending from rooftops, creating a comfortable microclimate for pedestrians.
This green corridor not only enhances walkability but also serves as a social spillover zone, encouraging interaction and activity throughout the day while maintaining a visual and spiritual link to the Haram. This connection fosters social vitality, allowing activities to spill over from retail spaces and transform the area into an active, inclusive public realm throughout the day.