Plans are being drawn up for a major commercial, residential and leisure development in the capital, to be called New Tripoli. The mega project will encompass six separate zones, covering 2.2 million square metres along Tripoli's coastline, four kilometres from the city centre.

Designed to revitalise the city, the development is set to be one of the most ambitious projects ever carried out in the country. The conceptual masterplan drawn up by private developer Dubai Reality International (DRI),calls for the construction of office facilities, commercial, retail and lake districts, leisure and entertainment areas and a major golfing complex. Major infrastructure work will also be required, including improvements and expansion of Tripoli's road, water, sanitation, telecommunications and power infrastructure.

DRI has already received proposals from international firms for the project management consultancy (PMC) contract, with an award due by year-end. Requests for proposals (RFPs) for the masterplanning architecture, coastal modelling, topographical survey and geotechnical consultancy contracts are expected to be released soon.

The project schedule envisages a fast-track approach. Selection of contractors for the dredging and landfilling packages is expected by the second quarter of 2005. Awards for most of the infrastructure packages, including the main construction contracts, are due to be made later the same year. The project is scheduled for completion by mid-2008.

Libya is keen to attract international investment after years of isolation. The New Tripoli development is just one of a number of tourist and infrastructure projects planned following the lifting of sanctions (MEED 29:10:04, Cover Story).