TABUK: The Red Sea Development Co. (TRSDC) signed on Monday a contract with Cundall, an international multidisciplinary engineering consultancy, to provide innovative solutions in sustainable design and develop a strategy that would reduce unnatural light at night to protect the nocturnal environment at the project site located between the cities of Umluj and Al-Wajh. TRSDC’s CEO John Pagano said the contract will allow the company to achieve the first steps of its plan to make the Red Sea a certified destination on the map of the world’s dark-night reserves, obtain accreditation from the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) for some exceptional areas at the site, and join over 100 international sites committed to protecting the environment with the support of local societies. “The Red Sea Project will thus become a touristic destination in the Middle East where visitors can enjoy the beauty of the night skies and some rare species, such as the critically endangered hawksbill turtle,” said Pagano. An IDA International Dark Sky Reserve is a public or private land possessing an exceptional quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment, specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural, heritage or public enjoyment. “Over the centuries, explorers, trade caravans and pilgrims have used the stars to navigate across our region. Dark Sky accreditation will allow our visitors to enjoy the same stunning night-time panoramas that inspired our ancestors,” said Pagano. “We are proud to become part of a worldwide movement dedicated to restoring mankind’s intimate relationship with the stars.” Opinion This section contains relevant reference points, placed in (Opinion field) Andrew Bissell, director of Cundall’s lighting design team Light4, said: “The night sky at the site is beautiful to experience and is full of unique constellations. This project will prove that through ambition and careful planning we can develop projects in a unique and unprecedented way that protects the beauty of the night sky, and that no building, whether inside or outside cities, needs to have a negative effect on the night sky.” TRSDC, one of the world’s most ambitious tourism project developers, is wholly owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).  TRSDC was established to drive the development of the Red Sea Project, a luxury tourism destination that will introduce new standards in sustainable development and place Saudi Arabia on the global tourism map. The project will be developed over 28,000 km sq. of pristine land on the Kingdom’s west coast, and will include an archipelago of more than 90 islands, mountains, deserts, dormant volcanoes, and cultural and heritage landmarks.  The destination will also feature fancy hotels, residential units, and commercial and entertainment amenities, all entirely dependent on renewable energy and water preservation. The first phase of development is currently being carried out, covering the necessary infrastructure for the destination’s facilities.  A contract was concluded to develop the maritime infrastructure in July 2019, and included the construction of a 3.3 km bridge crossing to Shurairah island.  Development of the Coastal Village has also kicked off. It will house around 14,000 workers at the destination.