‘NEOM’ is a futuristic and visionary project in Saudi Arabia, which is a part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, announced by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman in 2016. According to reports, the Saudi Arabian public investment fund contributes to this $500 billion mega project, which could exceed $1 trillion in the future. Its location is north of the Red Sea and east of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an area of 26,500 square kilometers. The Saudi government has announced 5 regions for NEOM: Magna, Sindalah, the Line, Oxagon, and Trojena.
Magna
The Magna region consists of twelve destinations: Epicon, Norlana, Siranna, Utamo, Aquellum, Leyja, Zardun, Xaynor, Jaumur, Elanan, and Gidori. This region would be along 120 km of the shoreline of the Gulf of Aqaba. Its average temperature would be 23 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Luxurious restaurants, golf clubs, equestrian centres, heritage and hiking trails, and luxurious super yachts would be part of this region.
Millions of new trees and plants would be planted, and the government would devote 95% of the land to nature. Art, culture, health, education, and research activities would be part of it. Technological innovations and futuristic design will form new architectural records in this region.
Sindalah
Sindalah is the first region of the NEOM project to open to the public. It will be a luxury island and a future yachting destination. It comprises a luxury resort, sports club, beach club, golf club, and yacht club. The Saudi government hired leading experts to plan, market, and sell this region.
The Line
It is 170 km long, 200 m wide, and 500 m above the sea level of the city of the NEOM project. In its structure, two mirrors would reflect the surrounding landscape and provide an unrealistic view. This futuristic city would be able to accommodate 9 million people. Forty percent of the world is 6 hours away from the city by air. There would be three layers in this city: first for nature, second for people, and third for economy. At 500 km/h, the train would travel from one end of the city to another in just 20 minutes.
Oxagon
It is an industrial region of the NEOM project in Saudi Arabia. In the Red Sea, the Suez Canal is the prominent location for 13% of the world’s trade. This place would be a global business, trade, and industrial research hub.
Trojena
This 60-square-kilometer region is dedicated to snow skiing during winter. Saudi Arabia will host the Asian Winter Games of 2029 in this region. Residents and tourists can enjoy adventure and indoor and outdoor activities here.
Benefits of NEOM for Saudi Arabia
If the NEOM project is completed successfully, billionaires worldwide will invest in this region of Saudi Arabia. The government will allow business start-ups to live and work in the city, increasing collective income essential to the country’s GDP. The government would provide luxury, entertainment, and breath-taking views to attract tourists.
According to the Saudi government, 700,000 tourists will visit this project in 2030. Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman introduced some reforms recently, including driving licenses for women, opening cinemas, clubs, and casinos, inviting celebrities from the film and music industry, and providing space for games. These reforms would lead to the building of a soft image for Saudi Arabia. Moreover, it will use only renewable energy, including hydroelectric, solar, and wind energy.
Challenges
One of the main challenges the NEOM project faces is financial problems. Due to this, its length has decreased from 140 km to 2.4 km. This state-of-the-art project demands substantial financial investment.
The Saudi government commits human rights violations in the area where it plans on building the NEOM project. In a meeting, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman announced that the project is being built in an empty space, but many tribes have been living there for centuries. The government displaced those tribes, and people who opposed them were killed. Companies that invested in the project are now withdrawing due to these violations by the Saudi government. One of these companies is the Solar Water Company in Britain, which withdrew a 100 million pounds from the investment.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia invests almost all its resources in this project because it is a do-or-die situation for the country. Its major source of income is now depleting, and Saudi Arabia needs to shift its economy to other sources. While the country seems very passionate about the project, making a futuristic, luxury city in a desert is not easy. Experts are not sure about the completion of this city, but Saudi Arabia’s future depends on it.
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Ms Jaweria Naseem is currently pursuing her Bachelor's in International Relations from International Islamic University, Islamabad.