From Salt Flats to Smart City: Kuwait’s $30B Coastal Marvel

On Kuwait’s southern coast, a once-barren salt marsh is being transformed into Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City – a $30 billion, 30 year, privately led mega-project redefining coastal urbanism. The city was the brainchild of the visionary Khaled Yousuf Al Marzouq, and brought to life through the determination and leadership of his son, Fawaz Khalid Al Marzouq. 

Having created or improved approximately 200km of coastline and reaching 8km inland, this ambitious development will ultimately house 250,000+ residents. It’s not just about homes, offices, retail and schools – Sea City blends urban expansion, environmental restoration, and engineering brilliance. 

Once lifeless Sabkha (impoverished hypersaline salt marsh) now thrives with 1,500+ species of fish, birds, and marine life. This isn’t just construction – it’s ecosystem creation. 

We spoke with Matt Roden, a veteran of multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects across Australia, the Middle East, and the UK. After 21 years playing pivotal roles in shaping Sea City, he’s now back in Australia, and happy to share some of his experiences. 

“I reckon I could do better” 

For Matt, one of the most defining moments came not from a boardroom plan, but from a throwaway line. 

“I once rather casually stated to the Client that ‘I reckon I could do better’ when discussing main contractor options for the next phase of the project (roads & utilities valued at close to $300M). The Client subsequently asked me to ‘have a go’ and, after successfully delivering a trial – 20% by area – we grew the operation into a substantial multi-disciplinary contracting company, ultimately delivering several billion dollars of urban infrastructure.” 

Challenges on Every Front 

Mega-projects test both engineering and people. Sea City was no exception. 

“Failure to complete each phase by critical milestones would risk the Client losing the rights to the entire project,” Matt explains. “With difficult regulatory frameworks, long procurement lead times, harsh environmental conditions, and the sheer quantum of work, every milestone carried severe consequential risks.” 

And then there was the human challenge. 

“English was a second language for over 99% of the workforce – if at all. Within that diversity came a wide range of experience and capability. Setting clear goals and expectations, supported by simple but effective compliance systems, was essential.” 

But for Matt, the diversity was also a highlight. 

“I once chaired a meeting with 12 attendees of which 11 were from different nations. That was an aspect I particularly loved.” 

An Engineering Marvel 

When asked what innovations impressed him most, Matt points to the project’s lifeblood: its waterways. 

“Water exchange was given the highest priority resulting in exceptional water quality and species take-up,” he says. 

Two breakthroughs stand out: 

• Harnessing the wind: “The waterway orientation maximised the effect of prevailing winds as opposed to forming a recognisable shape from above. This enhanced circulation, facilitated surface mixing, and even utilised small wave energy to stimulate the beaches.” 

• A natural piston pump: “Very large tidal gates at each end of one of the western-most lagoons used the 2.7m tidal range to form a naturally operated giant piston that pumped water through the network. At the time, these gates were – and may still be – the second largest in the world after the Yangtze Dam.” 

  
  

The result: lagoons that aren’t just aesthetic, but alive with marine species and ecological value. 

Beyond Construction 

While Saudi giga-projects may now dominate headlines, Sea City carved a different legacy. 

“Where Sea City stands out is that its waterways and island refuges have vastly improved the environment for marine life and migratory birds – while fulfilling a real long-term need for Kuwait,” Matt reflects. “It’s not a vanity project. For a nation who historically lived off the sea – through trading and pearl fishing – it has enabled Kuwaitis to own freehold waterfront property within a thoughtfully planned and ecologically revitalised city.” 

Advice for the Next Generation 

Matt’s final words are for the engineers and construction professionals looking to follow in similar footsteps: 

“Perhaps the most fundamental thing is to know yourself. Working on complex international projects will expose you to fantastic engineering experiences and exciting opportunities to travel. But jumping into a different culture has its challenges. Some people thrive on the experience, others never quite settle. If you’re adaptable, humble, open to new experiences – and comfortable being outside of your comfort zone, not to mention a long way from home – I can’t recommend it highly enough.” 

Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City is more than a mega-project. It’s a living system born from Sabkha salt flats and transformed into a city of thriving waterways and communities. 

For Kuwait, it’s a coastal marvel. For Matt Roden, it was 21 years of career-defining challenges, risks, and achievements. And for the industry, it stands as proof that engineering at its best doesn’t just build – it restores, adapts, and inspires. 

This article has been produced by 4020 Consult for educational and industry discussion purposes. It is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by La’ala Al Kuwait Real Estate Co.