NEOM
An arcology and planned city being built in Tabuk Province in Saudi Arabia. Launched in 2017 by crown prince Mohammad bin Salman, the site is at the northern tip of the Red Sea, due east of Egypt across the Gulf of Aqaba and south of Jordan. The total planned area of Neom is 26,500 km2 (10,200 sq mi). Multiple regions are planned, including a floating industrial complex, global trade hub, tourist resorts, and a linear city powered by renewable energy sources.Thousands of people have been forcibly moved to make way for the project and villages have been razed.
Vision
-
To create a futuristic smart city-region powered entirely by renewable energy.
-
A hub for innovation, biotechnology, renewable energy, tourism, advanced manufacturing, food tech, and digital industries.
-
Designed around principles of sustainability, AI-driven services, zero carbon emissions, and human-centric urban design.
Key NEOM Projects (Mega-Developments)
NEOM is not a single city but a region containing multiple giga-projects:
1. The Line
-
A linear smart city stretching 170 km long, only 200m wide but 500m tall.
-
Designed for 9 million residents.
-
No cars, no roads — only ultra-high-speed rail and autonomous transport.
-
Powered entirely by 100% renewable energy.
-
Walkable communities with everything accessible within 5 minutes.
2. Oxagon
-
Planned to be the world’s largest floating industrial complex.
-
Located on the Red Sea.
-
Focused on advanced industries: clean energy, biotech, water innovation, food security, and advanced manufacturing.
-
Will serve as NEOM’s main industrial and logistics hub.
3. Trojena
-
A futuristic ski and mountain resort in the Saudi desert (Tabuk mountains).
-
Scheduled to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
-
Includes ski slopes, luxury hotels, wellness resorts, and adventure tourism.
4. Sindalah
-
A luxury Red Sea island resort and NEOM’s first tourist destination (opening 2024–2025).
-
Focus on yachting, luxury living, golf courses, and marine life tourism.
Technology & Infrastructure
-
100% renewable energy (solar, wind, green hydrogen).
-
AI-driven urban planning and autonomous mobility.
-
Smart healthcare systems with predictive medicine and biotechnology.
-
High-speed internet & 6G connectivity.
-
Green hydrogen projects to make Saudi Arabia a global leader in clean fuel.
Investment & Budget
-
Estimated $500 billion investment (funded by the Saudi government’s Public Investment Fund, plus private and international investors).
-
Incentives: special economic zones, relaxed regulations, tax benefits for investors.
-
Aimed at attracting global corporations, startups, and talent.
Progress & Challenges
-
Construction on The Line and Sindalah has started.
-
Oxagon and Trojena are in planning and early build-out.
-
Facing challenges:
-
Enormous costs (likely exceeding $500B).
-
Harsh desert climate and environmental sustainability.
-
Global skepticism about feasibility and timelines.
Timeline
-
Initial announcements: 2017.
-
Sindalah: opening by 2025.
-
The Line (first modules): mid 2030s.
-
Trojena: completed by 2029 (for Winter Games).
-
Full NEOM region: by 2050 (long-term).