On the shores of the Red Sea, the Saudi kingdom is laying the first stones of the Neom project: an ultra-innovative megalopolis that could revolutionize urban planning.
It looks like something out of a science fiction movie. Yet excavators and tunnel boring machines are already at work in northwestern Saudi Arabia to complete the Neom project. A pharaonic urban planning project spread over three sites with the same objective: to create an ultramodern, carbon-neutral megalopolis equipped with cutting-edge technology.
Behind “Neom”, is the dream of a man. Mohammed ben Salmane has convinced the kingdom to release nearly $500 billion to finance the work. In reality, more than double that amount is needed, which is why the Crown Prince has been making numerous international trips in recent months to bring foreign investors into his venture.
“The Line”, the jewel in the crown
And it has a lot to offer. The main construction site, called “The Line”, will create a city that is unlike any other. Imagine two monumental walls covered with mirrors that start from the sea and go down into the desert to form a 170 km-long corridor. In the middle of these walls, streets, offices, stores, and housing intertwined on a multitude of levels.
A jungle of glass and concrete that will also give pride of place to nature with entirely vegetated facades, hanging gardens, and even artificial waterfalls. With 250,000 potential inhabitants, the city will be extremely dense. According to its designers, if New York had been built on the same model, it would only occupy 34 km² compared to 800 today.
The city will be served by a high-speed train that will make it possible to cover it in only 20 minutes, and cars will be completely banned. Everything will be powered by 100% renewable energy and the equipment will be controlled by artificial intelligence in charge of their proper functioning.
Trojena Snow in the desert
100 km from “The Line”, the Neom project will also see the birth of the “Trojena” site in a mountainous region. This is one of the assets that allowed Saudi Arabia to win the organization of the 2029 Asian Winter Games and could lead to a future bid for the Olympic Games. “Trojena” is nothing more than a fully artificial ski resort. The program includes snow-covered slopes thanks to the creation of a high-altitude lake, vertical buildings with rounded shapes built mainly of glass to alter the landscape as little as possible, and troglodyte structures integrated into the heart of the mountain.
Finally, on the shores of the Red Sea, “Neom” is going to be adorned with an industrial hub called “Oxagon”, announced as the largest floating port in the world connected to the highly strategic Suez Canal. Mohammed ben Salmane wants to turn it into the new Silicon Valley by setting up companies dedicated to research and factories right next door. A sort of “short circuit” of innovation to move more quickly from concept to market.
Intense lobbying efforts
In response to the many controversies raised by the project – including allegations of forced displacement by local tribes – Saudi Arabia has stepped up its communications efforts.
In July 2020, a few months after the killing of an activist who refused to leave his home by Saudi security forces, the Kingdom hired the services of Ruder Finn, a lobbying firm, for $1.7 million.
Conclusion
The Neom Project is an ambitious undertaking for Saudi Arabia, and its success will be a testament to the country’s commitment to innovation and progress. With the potential to become a global leader in technological advancement, sustainable living, and economic development, this project could bring immense prosperity to Saudi Arabia and the region as a whole. The Neom Project is an exciting opportunity for Saudi Arabia to create the city of the future, and it is sure to have a lasting impact on the world.
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