Saudi Arabia, a nation known for its vast deserts and history-rich cultural heritage, is in the midst of a bold development project that could change the face of the region and the world. NEOM, an ambitious gigacity under construction, is on its way to becoming a hub of innovation, technology and sustainability that will rival the world’s leading cities. Since the last progress film was shared in January 2023, the project has advanced significantly, with a second progress video released on October 11, 2023, at 14:00 Saudi Arabia time. This extended article will explore in detail the progress, challenges and vision behind NEOM.
NEOM: A Visionary Gigacity
NEOM is an ambitious visionary project in Saudi Arabia that is being built in the northwest region of the country, along the Red Sea coast. Its name, NEOM, is an acronym for “New Future” and “MODA” (Mostorah, Duba, and Aqaba), referring to the cities that make up its strategic location. This development project covers an area of over 26,000 square kilometers, making it a project of colossal proportions.
NEOM’s goal is to create a city of the future, driven by cutting-edge technology and a focus on sustainability. This gigacity will not only serve as a hub for innovation and technology, but is also expected to be a thriving place where people can live, work and enjoy a high quality of life. NEOM is designed to address current and future challenges, from combating climate change to promoting a sustainable economy.
Progress on the Move
Since the last progress film was shared in January 2023, NEOM has made significant progress. The second progress video, released in October 2023, provides a more in-depth look at the progress made on this megacity under construction.
One of the most notable aspects of NEOM’s progress is the rapid development of its four megacities: The Line, Oxagon, Sindalah and Trojena. With more than 60,000 workers currently on the ground, the images reveal that construction progress in these key areas is advancing by leaps and bounds. Major infrastructure projects, such as the construction of roads, utilities and even a hospital, are already a reality.
Beyond megacities, the video also highlights plans for the development of the NEOM port, a $2 billion investment. The first advanced container terminal will be completed in 2025, marking a significant milestone in NEOM’s vision as a global trade hub. This terminal represents a major upgrade to the terminal already in operation, underscoring NEOM’s commitment to modernizing and expanding key infrastructure.
The video also provides a preview of the world’s largest green hydrogen plant, which will be operational in 2026 under NEOM Green Hydrogen Company. This joint venture with Air Products and Acwa Power is emerging as a major player in the production of green hydrogen, a clean and sustainable energy source with enormous potential to transform the global energy industry.
Vision for the Future: Global Connectivity and International Standards
NEOM’s vision goes beyond the physical construction of the city. The project focuses on creating a state-of-the-art social and economic infrastructure that meets the highest international standards in areas such as taxation, regulatory environment and business law. This commitment to excellence in these strategic areas will not only attract investment but also place NEOM in a unique position on the global stage.
One of the highlights of this vision is NEOM’s strategic location at the crossroads of global trade. With access to 13% of global trade flowing through the nearby Red Sea, NEOM will become a hub for international trade. This global connectivity will open up new opportunities for trade, investment and collaboration on an unprecedented scale.
In addition, NEOM’s commitment to sustainability is a central part of its vision for the future. The gigacity is being built with a focus on environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation. Cutting-edge technologies are being implemented to ensure that NEOM is one of the greenest cities in the world, with 100% renewable energy and a minimal carbon footprint.
Art and Technology at its Best: The Trojena Skyscraper
One of NEOM’s most eye-catching projects is the design of a 330-meter-high skyscraper as part of the Trojena ski resort. This project has been developed by the British architectural firm Zaha Hadid Architects and was presented as part of NEOM’s stand at the Cityscape conference in Riyadh. The skyscraper is located on a mountain opposite the main ski area and offers stunning views of a man-made lake that will be the epicenter of the leisure development.
Renderings of the skyscraper show a glass structure made of numerous columns that slope toward the top. This cutting-edge design is not only a testament to NEOM’s commitment to innovative architecture, but also represents a fusion of art and technology at its finest. The skyscraper will be connected to the lakeside ski resort by a cable car, offering a unique experience for visitors.
Although full details about the building’s use have yet to be revealed, the skyscraper is expected to house stores, restaurants and exhibition spaces, along with observation decks on three different levels. As the teaser screen reads, this high-rise commercial tower will provide a rich platform for innovative, technology-infused content and art experiences.
The Trojena skyscraper is an example of how NEOM seeks to merge art, technology and cutting-edge architecture in its approach to building a city of the future.
Global Collaboration: Lava Architecture and Other Studies
NEOM’s project is not a solitary undertaking. To bring this futuristic vision to life, NEOM has collaborated with some of the world’s leading architecture and design firms. The Trojena ski resort, with its iconic skyscraper, is a project by British architecture firm Zaha Hadid Architects. However, this is not the only studio that is helping to shape NEOM.
German firm LAVA architects has played a key role in the development of Trojena and other NEOM regions. According to LAVA architects’ master plan, Trojena will contain a building crowned by ski slopes, several hotels and other attractions. This region is intended to be a world-class leisure and entertainment destination, in line with NEOM’s vision of offering an exceptional quality of life.
In addition to Zaha Hadid Architects and LAVA architects, other renowned firms such as UNStudio, Aedas and Bureau Proberts are also working on NEOM’s project. The collaboration of these world-class architectural firms is a testament to the breadth and global scale of the NEOM project.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite its futuristic vision and ambitious goals, NEOM’s development has not been without controversy and challenges. The 170-kilometer-long city known as The Line, a central component of NEOM, has come under fire due to concerns about livability, sustainability and human rights. Questions have been raised about whether a megacity of this size is sustainable in the long term and whether the rights of people affected by its construction will be respected.
Human rights groups, such as ALQST, have reported that some people evicted from the NEOM area have been sentenced to death, raising concerns about justice and human rights in the region. In addition, UN Human Rights Council experts expressed “alarm” over the impending executions and raised questions about transparency and fairness in NEOM’s legal system.
The NEOM development in northwestern Saudi Arabia is one of the largest and most controversial projects in the world. As it progresses, it continues to be a topic of debate in the international community. Balancing the futuristic vision of a gigacity with legitimate human rights and sustainability concerns poses significant challenges that must be addressed as the project continues its development.
NEOM represents an ambitious dream of transforming the northwestern region of Saudi Arabia into a futuristic and sustainable gigacity. With significant advances in megacity construction, massive infrastructure projects, and collaborations with renowned architectural firms, NEOM is well on its way to becoming a global hub of innovation and technology.
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