Korean internet giant Naver announced the completion of a comprehensive digital twin platform covering Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah, supporting Saudi Arabia’s smart city initiatives. Spanning 6,800 square kilometers—over 11 times the size of Seoul—the platform models more than 920,000 buildings with ultra-high-resolution 3D imagery and real-time data streams.
This digital replica enables urban planners, engineers, and city administrators to optimize management and development using advanced analytical features. These include terrain grading, skyline and sunlight exposure analysis, disaster simulation for floods, and real-time building design data integration to ensure compliance with local regulations.
Led by Saudi Arabia’s urban development authority, Balady, the project aims to expand the platform nationwide. Han Sang-young, Naver’s global DX and innovation leader, emphasized ongoing collaboration with local partners to broaden geographic coverage and develop new use cases.
Naver secured the contract from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing in October 2023, with development starting July 2023. Recently, Naver Cloud and Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company’s digital arm, NHC Innovation, formed a joint venture—Naver Innovation—to lead regional projects including map-based super applications and further digital twin services.
