A few years back, if someone floated the idea of a 100-mile-long carbon-free city with adventure islands, and a floating industrial hub with flying taxis, you probably would’ve laughed out. But here we are in the year 2022, where a revolutionary notion is on the cusp of being a possibility. Saudi Arabia has proposed a futuristic eco-city- NEOM, as a new wonder for the world!
A part of Saudi Vision 2030, NEOM will be a sustainable urbanscape powered by artificial intelligence and automated services for enhanced livability. The unearthly visuals unveiled by the Saudi Arabian Government for NEOM and The Line plan to encapsulate a population of 9 million.
What is NEOM? What’s the buzz behind this futuristic vertical city of Saudia Arabia? Let’s read the blog below and explore this wondrous city.
Table of contents
What is the NEOM Smart City?
NEOM, a future city in the coming time, is an ambitious urban project combining science, innovation, sustainability and technology to create a city with endless opportunities. The word ‘NEOM’ is evolved from two parts- NEO from the Greek prefix, meaning “new’, and the second part is the letter M, the first letter of the Arabic word “Mostaqbal”, meaning “future”. Saudis characterise NEOM city as a place for dreamers, stating that it is not for conventional people or companies but is entitled to those who want to create a new wonder in the world.
“NEOM will be a place for all people from across the globe to make their mark on the world in creative and innovative ways”.- His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman
NEOM: Location of the Future City
NEOM is the $500 billion mega-city project that plans to cover 26,500 square kilometres and a range of sectors, including industrial, agricultural and logistics. It is located northwest of the Gulf country, along the Red Sea coastline. The strategic location offers diverse terrain, with long beaches, spectacular islands, peaceful desert and pristine nature views, with an average 10 Celsius cooler climate than the Gulf region countries. This location would contribute to making NEOM a global hub for trade, innovation and knowledge.
What Will NEOM: The Line Include?
“The Line,” touted as a one-building city stretched over 170 kilometres, is a part of the NEOM project. The grand structure will be 500 metres tall but only 200 meters wide, representing a social and economic experiment. The Line aims to be a zero-gravity vertical city that operates entirely on renewable energy, with no roads, cars or emissions. The project prioritises the health and well-being of the occupants over transportation and infrastructure, unlike traditional cities.
“The Line is a linear, car-free and self-contained township where Saudis hope millions of the world’s best and brightest people will unite and create life.” – Middle East Affairs Expert Bobby Naqvi.
NEOM- The Line forms part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to reshape the country’s economy and create a vibrant society. The visuals reveal two parallel mirror-encased structures enclosing an open area between them. They will be connected by multiple bridges and topped with green spaces to solidify as a liveable city. Rising 500 metres high, the pair of structures will become the 12th tallest building in the world and by far the longest! Now, that’s ambition!
“We cannot ignore the livability and environmental crises facing our world’s cities, and NEOM is at the forefront of delivering new and imaginative solutions to address these issues. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in architecture, engineering, and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality.” – His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman
The structure is designed to accommodate 9 million residents on just 34 square kilometres. The narrow design aims to reduce the infrastructure footprint on the landscape and promote greater efficiency. The $500 billion mega city project focuses on different fundamentals of technology, sustainability, nature and the environment. Inspired by Barcelona’s traffic-free “superblocks”, each square in the megastructure will be self-sufficient and contain amenities such as shops, schools, homes, and places for work within a five-minute walk or cycle away. In addition, it comes with a high-speed rail system that ensures end-to-end transit within 20 minutes. Throughout the year, the ideal climate within the structure will ensure that residents can enjoy the wonder of abundant nature.
The concept is based on the principles of “Zero Gravity Urbanism” by its creators.
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What’s More to NEOM?
NEOM is home to two other major projects, a commercial and industrial hub facilitating innovative operations for its residents.
Oxagon
Oxagon in NEOM is a floating industrial district spanning 7km (4.3 miles), making it the world’s largest floating structure. Located in the southwest of the new city, Oxagon will host a fully automated and integrated logistic hub to promote faster trade across the globe, creating a new paradigm for living.
Trojena
Trojena in NEOM is a unique global destination with iconic architecture and ingenious technology that seamlessly blends into nature with pristine mountain views. This gateway features facilities such as the ski village, family and wellness resorts, and a wide range of retail stores and restaurants. With an average temperature control throughout the year, it proposed the region’s first outdoor ski experience and other sports adventures.
Innovation and Digitisation
NEOM designs emphasise new technology and practices across different sectors, including transportation, agriculture, healthcare, the Internet and digital air. Driven by ingenious construction techniques and artificial intelligence system, the city developers plans to create a ‘cognitive community to ease the life of residents in NEOM
Reimagining Sustainable Future
Per NEOM, Saudi Arabia, the latest news states , “The Line is designed as a dramatic alternative to traditional cities that will create a model for nature preservation and enhanced livability.” as announched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The richness of natural resources has blessed Saudi, and NEOM is considered one of the best locations in the Gulf region that is rich in mineral resources. It will be a regional powerhouse of solar and wind energy alongside green hydrogen. Buildings will be carbon-positive and regenerative resources will live up to the sustainability standards in NEOM city.
NEOM Saudi Arabia Address and Completion Date
Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, revealed designs for the Line, the future city in NEOM. The linear city will be a car-free zone, with all residents living within a five-minute walk of essential amenities. Neom The Line location in the province of Tabuk, in northwest Saudi Arabia. It was announced in 2017 with an estimated budget of 500 billion dollars. As of July 2022, the Neom Saudi Arabia’s completion date is slated to be in 2030.
Will NEOM be an Enchanted Fantasy or a Reality?
Although the structure is in its initial stage and would welcome the first residents by 2024, the question is whether such a state-of-the-art idea would correspond to its promises. Critics and economists have shared their opinions on the uncertainty of this gigantic project. It will require unlimited financial, technical, and scientific resources from investors and neighbouring countries to build NEOM The Line Saudi Arabia- a $500 billion mega city on this unprecedented scale. The future does look positive, but only time will tell whether this megacity turns out to be a reality or rests in ambition.
