May 12, 2015 - ARCADIS (EURONEXT: ARCAD), the world's leading natural and built asset design & consultancy firm, today announced that through its subsidiary Hyder Consulting it has been appointed, as a part of the Foster + Partners team, to develop the architectural vision for a new, comprehensive public transport system in the city of Jeddah.

Based on a long-term, sustainable vision, which anticipates the city's growth, the plan for Jeddah's transport network is city-wide and includes the design of metro, ferry, bus and cycle services - as well as public spaces and nodes of commercial development.

The comprehensive plan includes the design of metro stations, high-spec trains and even the branding. In addition, the commercial developments associated with the metro system will create new urban service features for the city of Jeddah at key locations below the elevated track.

Designed to reflect the local climate, the masterplan for Jeddah's transport network draws on the high-density, compact urban model of the ancient quarter of Al Balad, with its mixture of uses and comfortable, walkable shaded streets. With only 12% of Jeddah's population currently living within a ten minute walk of public transport it is hoped that the new transport system will increase this to 50% through a process of densification and strategic planning.

The contract signing ceremony with the client, Metro Jeddah Company, was held in Jeddah on 31 March 2015. The contract was signed by HH Prince Khaled bin Faisal bin Abdelaziz Al Saud, the governor of Makkah Province.

A substantial proportion of ARCADIS' work on the project will be performed by Hyder in the Middle East and the UK with the support of ARCADIS' station design team.

"This is yet another strong example of the combined multinational strength of Hyder and ARCADIS, which has fortified our position in key infrastructure design in the Middle East. We are proud to be working with the Metro Jeddah Company and helping the city of Jeddah to realize their ambitious vision," said Stephan Ritter, Executive Board member of ARCADIS responsible for the activities in the U.K., Continental Europe and the Middle East.