From Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, to Palm Jumeirah, the tree-shaped artificial island, to the football stadiums Qatar built for the FIFA World Cup 2022, and more, the Middle East has given us some of the most spectacular and gigantic construction projects the world has ever seen.As stunning as they are, there are many more mega projects across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the pipeline that can dwarf the existing ones. Here is a look at some of the most high-profile megaprojects that are set to redefine infrastructure for the rest of the world.NEOM (Saudi Arabia)When it comes to being ambitious, nothing even comes close to NEOM, the Saudi megaproject. Conceived as a part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, NEOM, which means ‘the future’ comprises THE LINE, a linear city designed for zero cars; Oxagon, a floating industrial city;, Trojena, a mountain resort destination; and Sindalah, a luxury island resort.Oxagon, which is part of NEOM is said to be the world’s largest floating structure. (Photo: NEOM)Located in Tabuk Province of Saudi Arabia, NEOM is spread across 26,500 km² and is envisioned to redefine urban living with no roads, cars, or pollution. Announced in 2017 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), NEOM had an initial budget of $500 billion, which has since increased to a projected $8.8 trillion.Dubai Creek Tower (Dubai)The Dubai Creek Tower is a megaproject in the UAE along the Dubai Creek, and the under-construction project. When it was announced in 2016, it was projected to be taller than the Burj Khalifa, which stands at a height of 830-metres.Dubai Creek Tower (Photo: Dubai Tourism)The Dubai Creek Tower was projected to be anywhere between 928 and 1400 metres tall, and the construction started in 2017. Initially slated to open in 2025, the construction of Dubai Creek Tower was halted due to COVID-19 and only resumed in 2024. The project has also been redesigned and scaled down from its originally proposed height.Ciel Dubai Marina (Dubai)While some of the megaprojects in Gulf countries have been delayed indefinitely or scaled back due to financial or other reasons, if there is one that has an announced opening date, it is the Ciel Dubai Marina. Standing at 377 metres, Ciel Dubai Marina, Vignette Collection by InterContinental Hotels Group is the world’s tallest hotel and has opened online bookings for rooms from November 15.Ciel Dubai Marina, the world’s tallest hotel. (Photo: IHG)With 1,004 rooms across 82 floors, Ciel Dubai Marina will overtake the 356-metre-tall Gevora Hotel located along Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road as the world’s tallest hotel.Water Security Mega Reservoir (Qatar)The water security mega reservoir project is a Qatari megaproject that is nearing the first phase of construction. As the name suggests, it is a giant reservoir aimed at ensuring water security for Qatar by creating a large-scale storage system to back up its desalination plants.Water Security Mega Reservoir (Photo: QIBS)The first phase will be completed in 2026 and will provide 2,300 million gallons of storage and subsequent phases will add further storage capacity through additional reservoirs. The project consists of five mega reservoir sites interconnected by 650 km of pipelines and was recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest water reservoir in the world.The Jeddah Tower (Saudi Arabia)The Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia is yet another contender for the world’s tallest building. Built under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Jeddah Tower will be a key part of the $20 billion Jeddah Economic City.A model of Jeddah Tower is seen inside the office of Jeddah Economic Company in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia February 6, 2018. (Reuters File Photo)Once completed, it is designed to house luxury apartments, offices, a hotel, and the highest observation deck in the world. The Jeddah Tower is projected to be over 1,000 metres tall and is expected to be ready before 2030.Burj Binghatti (Dubai)The Burj Binghatti is an underconstruction skyscrapper in Dubai which is also nearing complition. The Burj Binghatti, which is located in Dubai Business Bay, is touted as the world’s tallest residential tower, standing at a height of 557 meters. Burj Binghatti will have 104 floors and 7 basement levels and is expected to be ready by 2026.Zayed National Museum (Abu Dhabi)The Zayed National Museum is touted as the national museum of the United Arab Emirates and will open its doors in December 2025. Located in the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum honours Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father and first president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The towers of the museum are shaped like falcon wings to commemorate Zayed’s love of falconry.Most ReadAlUla (Saudi Arabia)Unlike the other megaprojects in this list, AlUla is not futuristic but an attempt to preseve the past. AlUla is an ancient heritage site with over 200,000 years of history and is home to cultural sites, sandstone mountains and oases. Saudi is transforming AlUla into an international tourism destination and will feature new museums, cultural centres, and eco-tourism resorts carved into the sandstone mountains.Dubai Urban Tech District (Dubai)The Dubai Urban Tech District is a planned megaproject in Dubai, located on the Creekside of Al Jaddaf. It aims to be the world’s largest urban tech hub, spanning a total built-up area of 140,000 square meters. The Dubai Urban Tech District is expected to be completed by 2030. The sustainable tech hub will have an Urban Tech Institute, dedicated to nurturing future leaders in urban technology, and is expected to create 4,000 jobs in green tech, education, and training.King Salman Energy Park (Saudi Arabia)The King Salman Energy Park is a new industrial city under development in Saudi Arabia that aims to be a global hub for the energy sector. Spread across 50 square kilometres in the Eastern Province near Abqaiq, the King Salman Energy Park is a flagship initiative supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by diversifying revenue, localising more of the energy value chain, and creating numerous direct and indirect jobs. While the majority of the first phase has been completed, the overall King Salman Energy Park is expected to be completed by 2035.