In Medina, Saudi Arabia, one of Islam’s holiest cities and a spiritual center since 622 AD, a quiet but profound transformation is taking place. The Madinah Region Development Authority (MDA) is leading a digital revolution that combines centuries of heritage with cutting-edge technology, redefining urban planning and sustainability in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
At the heart of this transformation is the Manarah Urban Data Platform (MUDP), a comprehensive digital twin of the city. Since its launch in 2018, MUDP has modeled 55 square kilometers of urban space, scanned more than 7,000 kilometers of roads and documented more than 300,000 buildings and 18,500 businesses. It has digitally preserved 57 heritage sites, including the historic Aliyah Farms, and protected 26 square kilometers from urban sprawl.
This initiative supports the Vision 2030 goal of welcoming 30 million pilgrims annually, but it is not just about expansion. It’s about balance: growing smart while honoring Medina’s rich cultural legacy. Manarah allows planners to simulate floods, redesign roads for easier walking, and even plan district-level quarantines, making Madinah a global model for smart, inclusive, and resilient urban development.
Accelerating Urban Intelligence
Transforming a historic city into a smart city posed significant challenges, including complex data, stringent regulations, and the need for seamless collaboration between government agencies. After evaluating multiple technologies, MDA selected Bentley’s iTwin Capture tools for its high-quality images, processing power and integration capabilities.
In early 2024, MDA deployed DJI Matrice 300 RTK drones to map 6.6 square kilometers in just 16 working days, reducing survey time by 43%. The data was processed into detailed 3D models using iTwin Capture and published using Orbit 3DM and Cesium, making it accessible via both intranet and Internet platforms.
Manarah unified 475 layers of geospatial data into a single digital environment, enabling real-time collaboration between more than 20 government departments. Bentley’s tools helped document more than 300,000 building facades and analyze urban districts in 3D. Planners used exported models to study walkability in key areas such as the Qeba Corridor, while digital surface models drove flood simulations for extreme weather scenarios.
The platform also supported district-level quarantine planning during the pandemic, using accurate building and business data. By digitizing workflows, MDA improved transparency, reduced environmental disruption and launched a $250 million heritage preservation initiative, demonstrating how innovation can protect both people and culture.
Measurable impact
MDA’s digital strategy delivered tangible results across multiple dimensions.
- Accelerated data capture: Reality modeling of 6.6 square kilometers was completed in 16 days, 43% faster than traditional methods. More than 7,000 kilometers of roads were scanned, generating 1.04 million panoramic images and 7,104 kilometers of LiDAR tracks published for transparency.
- Comprehensive urban modeling: High-resolution capture of 55 square kilometers, integration of 475 geospatial layers, and processing of more than 300,000 building facades in 31 districts supported zoning, planning, and service delivery.
- Smart city infrastructures: Verification of more than 18,500 companies, implementation of more than 300 indicators aligned with the ISO and expansion of the city’s surface by 3.1% (from 677 to 698 square kilometers) with an increase in the agricultural surface of 4.9%.
- Sustainability and resilience: Conservation of 1.45 square kilometers of urban estates and protection of 26.28 square kilometers from expansion. MDA planted 150,000 trees, added 1.3 square kilometers of canopy and improved disaster preparedness through flood simulations for rainfall of up to 112 millimeters per day.
- Cultural and mobility improvements: Documentation of 57 heritage sites spurred a $250 million preservation initiative. 172 kilometers of roads were redesigned for pedestrians and cyclists, including a three-kilometer corridor linking the Prophet’s Mosque and the Qeba Mosque. Fourteen historic neighborhoods were studied to modernize them without demolishing them.
A model for global urban transformation
By integrating Bentley tools, MDA reduced risk, saved time and empowered data-driven governance. The result is a city that honors its past while embracing the future, a benchmark for sustainable urban transformation.
“iTwin Capture, Orbit 3DM Editor and Bentley Cesium enabled us to transform Medina’s urban development with unprecedented speed, accuracy and sustainability,” said Fayez Al Sayil, Director of the Geographic Information Center and Urban Observatory. “This enabled smarter planning, safeguarded cultural heritage and prepared our city for a resilient and data-driven future.”
Medina’s journey shows that smart cities don’t have to sacrifice tradition. With the right tools and vision, they can preserve it, while building an inclusive, sustainable and future-ready future.
Author/Credit
Aude Camus
Aude Camus joined Bentley Systems in 2015 and currently serves as Senior Director of Product Marketing for iTwin Capture products. With more than 20 years in the geospatial and reality capture space, he has developed a strong passion for the technologies that unite the physical and digital worlds. She is particularly drawn to how reality capture turns complex data into something intuitive and accessible to everyone. He graduated from SKEMA Business School in France, where he specialized in innovative companies, so working in cutting-edge technologies has always been part of the plan.
