Harnessing Modern Surveying Technologies for Risk Management in Middle Eastern Megaprojects

Visionary megaprojects in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia’s NEOM (including The Line) and the Red Sea Project, alongside Egypt’s New Administrative Capital (NAC), are transforming the region's landscape. However, their scale and unique environments introduce profound risks, including desert topography-induced construction delays, threats to sensitive marine ecosystems, and pervasive financial overruns. This research gap is addressed by introducing the Risk-Technology Integration Index (RTII), a quantitative tool that evaluates the efficacy of seven key surveying technologies, such as AI-powered image analysis and advanced BIM integration, in mitigating these risks. A systematic comparative analysis of the four case study projects, synthesizing available project data and scholarly literature, reveals that strategic technology adoption can yield potential cost savings of 15–25%, accelerate surveying processes by up to 40% in challenging arid conditions, and significantly minimize environmental impact. To operationalize these findings, the study presents a detailed three-phase implementation framework spanning pre-construction, construction, and post-construction stages, specifically designed to tackle regional challenges like sandstorms and water scarcity. The RTII model and framework are validated through structured case study analysis, confirming their utility. This study provides project managers and policymakers with a scalable, evidence-based model to support the ambitious objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and to enhance the delivery of sustainable megaprojects worldwide.