Construction at Qiddiya – the site earmarked as Saudi Arabia's future "capital of entertainment, sports and the arts" – has moved into a new phase, with the appointment of Saudi road construction company Abdul Ali Al-Ajmi to undertake a 12-month ground preparation project.

The work will involve landscaping seven million cubic metres of earth, across a combined area of more than four million square metres. This land will become the Resort Core and City Centre of the overall 334sq km (208sq m) site.

It will require the deployment of more than 500 pieces of major earthmoving equipment, as well as 4,000 tonnes of steel and 30,000 cubic metres of concrete for stormwater management, to make the area ready for the next stages of development.

Located near to Riyadh, Qiddiya will offer activities based around five cornerstones: Sports & Wellness; Nature & Environment; Parks & Attractions; Motion & Mobility; and Arts & Culture.

There will be a Six Flags theme park, sports arenas suitable for international competitions, academies for sports and the arts, concert and entertainment venues, a racetrack for motorsport, outdoor and adventure activities, and natural, environmental, historical, cultural and educational activities.

The first phase is due to open in 2023, by which time Qiddiya will directly employ around 17,000 people.