Exploring Neom – Here's What You Need To Know

Nestled along the shores of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia lies Neom, a futuristic megacity project that promises to redefine urban living and reshape the future. Envisioned as a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and economic prosperity, Neom has been interested in and accepted by people all over the world.

But what is Neom, where exactly is Neom, and why is it capturing the world's attention? Let's embark on a journey to uncover the secrets and promises of this groundbreaking project.

Neom is a futuristic megacity project

What Is Neom?

Neom is a future metropolis that Saudi Arabia intends to build. As a sort of futuristic utopia that incorporates the greatest elements of contemporary city living—convenience, sustainability, and community—while eschewing the worst—traffic, pollution, trash, and unstable water supplies—the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia hopes to establish this new city in the desert.

Neom aims to be a "smart city," meaning that real-time utilization of data and technology will maximize both the inhabitants' quality of life and the city's overall functionality. This covers everything from fundamentals like effective urban planning and traffic monitoring to more sophisticated features like employing real-time data to identify potentially dangerous situations and taking action before something goes wrong.

Natural areas will always be within a five-minute stroll of any part of the city thanks to its planning. Forty percent of the world will be reachable within four hours' flying time from the city's location. The city will be integrated with cutting-edge technology and connection in all areas, including homes, businesses, parks, and workplaces. It is 10 degrees colder than much of the Gulf while being proposed to be in the Saudi desert. Additionally, Neom will run entirely on renewable energy.

Naturally, constructing a new city in the middle of nowhere is not viable, at least not in the long run. The goal is to present a fresh perspective on what a city may be and how sustainable urban development can be promoted. The idea is meant to act as a template for an urban development "new beginning."

What does Neom mean?

Neom, which translates to "new future," is a combination of the Arabic term mustaqbal, which means "future," and the Greek word neos, which means "new." Conceived as a futuristic metropolis, Neom aims to blend cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and quality of life on an unprecedented scale.

Neom is a mind-blowingly large metropolis. The project, estimated to be worth $500 billion, will span 263,000 hectares, or about the area of a small English county. Nonetheless, not all of that land will be inhabited because a large portion of it has been set aside for natural areas.

Neom is a mind-blowingly large metropolis

Why is Neom a line?

This metropolis will resemble a thin, long line. All the facilities and services required for the citizens will be conveniently located within the city. Outside access will also be effortless. Neom's great aim is to replace the ever-expanding suburban city that encroaches on the surrounding natural environment with an urban oasis where humans and nature live in harmony.

“The Line,” as NEOM is often called, will encompass 10,200 square miles of the Saudi Arabian desert. Naturally, constructing a new city in the middle of nowhere is not viable, at least not in the long run. The goal is to present a fresh perspective on what a city may be and how sustainable urban development can be promoted. The idea is meant to act as a template for an urban development "new beginning."

Where is Neom located?

The location, which was established in 2017 by Crown Prince Bin Salman, is at the northern edge of the Red Sea, south of Jordan, across the Gulf of Aqaba to the east of Egypt. A floating industrial complex, a global trading hub, vacation destinations, and a linear city powered by renewable energy sources are just a few of the zones that are envisaged.

When Will Neom Be Completed?

Curiosity abounds regarding "how long will Neom take to build?", "when will Neom be completed?" Most of the city is intended to be completed by 2039. A few specialists have voiced doubts over the megaproject's aspirations. The project has taken longer than expected to complete. Originally, Saudi Arabia planned to finish the main components by 2020 and the expansion by 2025.

Neom is at the northern edge of the Red Sea, south of Jordan

Some Other FAQs About Neom

What architecture studios are designing Neom?

The official list of architecture studios that are working on the Neom project is quite small. US studio Aecom is listed as a partner on the Neom website.

The Trojena ski resort is being designed by the UK studio Zaha Hadid Architects, the Dutch practice UNStudio, the US studio Aedas, the German studio LAVA, and the Australian studio Bureau Proberts, according to the Neom developer.

Dezeen was also informed by the Dutch studio Mecanoo that they were working on Trojena.

The Sindalah resort was designed by the Italian superyacht and architecture firm Luca Dini Design and Architecture.

The principal architect of The Line, according to long-running rumors, is the US studio Morphosis, which was featured in the exhibition. This was seemingly confirmed by its founder Thom Mayne during a presentation when he revealed he was working on a city he called "a massive planning item in Saudi Arabia that I can not talk about."

Most of Neom is intended to be completed by 2039

Is Neom actually sustainable?

The goal of Neom's line design is to create the first environmentally sustainable city in history. This is obviously unfeasible because all development has an effect on the environment of some kind, wherever it occurs. The most cutting-edge ideas and technologies for passive building design—structures that produce the energy they consume and draw nothing from "the grid"—have the potential to be demonstrated at Neom. Because of its line design, it might also serve as an example for maintaining a city's natural environs.

Why is Neom controversial?

Three primary issues with the Neom project have proven contentious: sustainability, livability, and human rights.

Although there are many issues concerning human rights in Saudi Arabia and for the laborers who will be constructing the massive project, the main disputes surrounding Neom are those that arise from evictions that occur before construction.

The proposed development area is the historic homeland of the Huwaitat tribe, and an estimated 20,000 tribal members will be relocated to accommodate the development plan.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Neom represents a bold vision for the future, blending innovation, sustainability, and economic development in a groundbreaking megacity project. While challenges remain, the potential benefits of Neom extend far beyond Saudi Arabia, offering a glimpse into what the cities of tomorrow could look like.

Beyond the allure of Neom, Saudi Arabia offers a myriad of experiences to enchant and delight, whether you seek the vibrant energy of Riyadh, the ancient charm of Jeddah, or the serene beauty of the Red Sea coast.

To facilitate your travel arrangements, we recommend applying for a Saudi Arabia eVisa through our website. Our streamlined process ensures convenience and efficiency without visiting the embassy or consulate.

Contact our website today to begin your adventure.