South Korean tech firm Naver Corp. has finalized digital twin platforms for Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah as part of a $100 million project awarded in 2023. The platforms cover 6,800 square kilometers and map over 920,000 buildings, forming one of the most extensive urban digital models in the Middle East.
Developed under Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company (NHC) subsidiary NHC Innovation, the digital twins enable real-time urban planning, flood simulation, and regulatory compliance checks. Additional features include terrain analysis, sunlight exposure simulations, and weather monitoring for emergency response.
The project, initiated in July 2024, will expand to two more Saudi cities before becoming a national platform. Naver and NHC recently formed a joint venture, Naver Innovation, to further develop digital twin applications. The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader smart city ambitions.
Naver’s involvement follows strengthened tech cooperation between South Korea and Saudi Arabia, highlighted during a 2023 state visit by South Korea’s president.
