Saturday, 15 March 2025
Neom, the ambitious $500 billion mega-city project in northwestern Saudi Arabia, is steadily transforming the desert landscape into one of the most advanced urban developments in the world. Announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2017, Neom is at the heart of Vision 2030, the kingdom’s strategic plan to diversify its economy beyond oil. Designed as a hub for technology, innovation, tourism, and sustainability, Neom is being built along the Red Sea coast in Tabuk Province, covering an area of 26,500 square kilometers, making it 33 times larger than New York City.
At the core of Neom’s vision is The Line, a 170-kilometer-long, car-free city that will accommodate nine million residents in a linear urban structure. Unlike traditional cities, The Line will have two parallel skyscrapers stretching across the desert, with a futuristic design that integrates smart infrastructure, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence. With no roads or personal vehicles, The Line will rely on high-speed rail, ensuring that any journey across the city takes no more than 20 minutes. The development also prioritizes walkability and green spaces, aiming to preserve 95% of the surrounding natural environment.
In addition to The Line, Neom includes several other major projects. Oxagon, envisioned as the world’s largest floating industrial complex, is set to redefine advanced manufacturing and logistics, utilizing robotics, AI, and renewable energy. Positioned along the Red Sea, Oxagon is designed to be fully automated and powered by clean energy, ensuring zero-carbon emissions while enhancing global trade routes through its strategic port location.
Trojena, Neom’s mountainous tourism destination, is set to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, making it the first city in the Middle East to hold such an event. Trojena will feature artificial lakes, luxury resorts, and year-round adventure sports, including skiing and water activities, powered entirely by renewable energy. The project aims to attract visitors seeking high-end ecotourism experiences, blending cutting-edge architecture with natural landscapes.
Another key component of Neom is Sindalah, an exclusive luxury island destination expected to welcome visitors by 2024. Featuring high-end resorts, golf courses, and a world-class marina, Sindalah will cater to elite tourists and yacht enthusiasts from around the globe. The island is positioned to rival Maldives and Monaco, offering high-end retail, fine dining, and entertainment venues.
Neom is also pioneering advancements in sustainable energy, biotechnology, and AI-driven urban planning. The city will be fully powered by renewable sources, including solar, wind, and green hydrogen, in line with Saudi Arabia’s commitment to carbon neutrality. Its urban planning integrates smart technologies, where AI and robotics will handle services such as security, healthcare, and infrastructure maintenance.
Despite its futuristic vision, Neom has faced challenges and controversy, particularly concerning displacement of local communities and human rights concerns. The Saudi government has worked to address these issues, emphasizing the economic and employment opportunities Neom will create, with an expected 380,000 jobs across various industries.
The scale and ambition of Neom make it one of the most significant projects in modern urban development. As construction progresses, global investors, tech leaders, and environmentalists are closely watching whether Neom will successfully redefine the future of urban living and sustainability. With its unprecedented vision, Neom aims to become a global model for smart cities, merging technology, nature, and human innovation in ways never seen before.
Photo: Giles Pendleton FRICS
