Saudi Arabia is to build four industrial cities specifically for women, reports local English language daily Arab News.

The Organisation for Industrial Estates & Technology Zones (Modon) is to build them in Jeddah, Yanbu, Qassim, and Al-Jouf. Marketing and public relations director, Sami Al-Husseini, is reported as saying Modon is in talks to allocate industrial land.

Al-Husseini said the organisation is applying a strategy to establish units for employment that meet international standards, are completely environmentally friendly, and have special designs that take into account the Saudi woman and her specific needs.

They will have easy access to public transport, creches and kindergartens.

In August, Modon awarded US-based Hill International two contracts to provide programme management consultancy services for the Living Communities Programme. The work involves providing programme management, project management, construction management, construction claims and other consulting services relating to the buildings, transportation, environmental, energy and industrial aspects of the project.

The Living Communities Programme is a $270m scheme designed to support industrial cities around the kingdom by developing healthcare, education, commercial and social schemes.

Phase one: The first phase includes residential communities in the cities of Jeddah, Dammam, Sudair, Al-Kharj, Medina and Hail.