NEOM. It’s the smart city that’s on everyone’s radar so you’ve probably heard a thing or two about it, but perhaps you’re still not entirely familiar with the details around NEOM and what makes it one of the major talks of the town, or rather the world. Worry not and read on, here’s our introductory primer on all there is to know about NEOM.
What is NEOM?
Ambitious, innovative and forward-thinking, NEOM (meaning “new future”) is the flagship project of Vision 2030. The brainchild of His Highness Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, it encompasses Saudi Arabia’s plans to move away from an oil-based economy, reduce the country’s reliance on hydrocarbons and lead the global stage in creating a new model for sustainable living.
The $500 billion business and tourism development and “living laboratory” will be both a vibrant, resident-forward society and a thriving hub for international innovation. Covering some 26,500 square kilometres, NEOM will encompass several key economic sectors and areas such as smart towns and cities, ports, a network of airports (including one of the largest international airports in the world), industrial areas, research centres, sports and entertainment venues and tourist destinations, including the first-ever ski resort in the GCC.
Where is it?
Located on the Red Sea coast in the northwest province of Tabuk, NEOM boasts a unique, central geographic location. An estimated ten percent of the world’s trade already flows through the Red Sea and project leaders estimate that NEOM is a four-hour flight away from 40 percent of the globe. This not only makes it very accessible for tourists (more on that later) but also offers business owners and investors direct access to both international and Saudi markets.
Why is everyone talking about it?
The sheer scope, scale and ambition of the project is awe-inspiring in itself. What really sets NEOM apart is the way in which futuristic plans and advanced technology are being balanced with an obvious commitment to Arabian heritage and hospitality.
NEOM also aims to be a tourist destination as well as a home to people who are looking to experience the unimaginable. It is also working towards the promotion of sustainable living, in turn hoping to achieve a sense of prosperity and growth for the Kingdom as a whole.
Impressive, right? It doesn’t end there though. Plans are in place to ensure that NEOM will be powered entirely by renewable energy, the city will preserve 95 percent of the natural environment and will pave the way in global water production, efficiency and storage thanks to new desalination technology.
The standouts don’t stop there. The city will also welcome some of the top mega-projects including NEOM TROJENA, NEOM THE LINE, NEOM Nimbus and NEOM Oxagon.
What should I expect to see in NEOM?
As mentioned previously, the smart city is currently working on some mega-project developments, each with their own unique characteristics. Here are all the new wonders for the world to look forward to.
NEOM THE LINE
THE LINE is one of the major projects in the smart city. The vertical city will be an AI-enabled cognitive city like never before. Stretching across 170 kilometres, the cutting edge science and design aim to enhance the lives of the potential one million future residents by focusing on walkability, livability, health and wellbeing.
The zero-carbon city hopes to redefine the modern ways of living by eliminating roads and cars and instead creating a linear environmentally friendly metropolis made up of interconnected, pedestrianised communities. THE LINE will also provide residents with access to daily amenities including shops, schools, medical facilities, leisure centres, green spaces, all within a five–minute walk radius. Residents will be able to travel by an ultra-high speed, zero-carbon mass transit system with a maximum journey duration of 20-minutes anywhere within THE LINE. NEOM is developing its own high-speed rail link called THE SPINE.
NEOM TROJENA
Forget about the Swiss Alps for a second, because TROJENA is one of the developments in the smart city aiming to be an iconic world-class destination. The unique mountain destination will be the first-ever skiing resort in the GCC, offering human-centric experiences to residents and visitors through six districts, each mixing virtual architectural and engineering innovations into one.
The regional plan will be located 50 kilometres from the Gulf of Aqaba coast with elevations ranging from 1500 metres to 2600 metres and will cover an area of approximately 60 square kilometres. The year-round outdoor skiing resort is scheduled to be completed sometimes in 2026 and will boast highlights including a man-made freshwater lake and ‘The Vault’ which will be a folded village meshing together technology, entertainment and hospitality and acting as the main gateway to TROJENA. TROJENA will also host the Asian Winter Games 2029 after Saudi Arabia recently won the bid.
NEOM OXAGON
A place for innovators and entrepreneurs, OXAGON will be a city where industries and technology come together with nature. As part of Vision 2030, OXAGON will be the largest floating structure in the world with 13 percent of global trade passes through the Suez Canal. The city also aims to host a population of 90,000 residents and create 70,000 jobs by 2030. The 100 percent clean energy city will be a hub of reimagination for work, living and overall sustainability.
NEOM Nimbus
A first in the world, NEOM Nimbus will hopefully be a five-star hot air balloon hotel, taking hotel views to new heights. The idea was brought about by a group of students from Cornell University. The self-contained hotel room will make stops at 20 sites and upon landing will unfold into a canopy-like eco-hotel. The hotel will run on bio-propane and aims to promote remote and sustainable living, a concept common among all NEOM developments. The carbon fibre pod will have sleeping, dressing and lounging areas with a bathroom foyer, pilot service, an observation deck and potentially a butler.
What else do I need to know?
A key driver in the diversification of Saudi’s economy, NEOM aims to generate some 380,000 jobs and contribute SAR180 billion ($48 billion) to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030.
A signification portion of that contribution ($16 billion) is expected to come from tourism. The first of NEOM’s numerous planned four-and-five-star luxury hotels is slated to open before the end of 2022, with a minimum of 15 properties a year (and up to 30) opening from 2023 onwards.
NEOM’s stunningly diverse and entirely unspoilt location should ensure it quickly establishes itself as a luxury travel destination and targets are in place to attract one million visitors to the mega-city by 2025. Combining breathtaking mountainous terrain (perfect for hiking, climbing and biking), coastal expanses replete with stunning, unspoilt beaches and spectacular islands with coral reefs offering world-class diving and snorkelling, as well as vast, unexplored desert expanses, this is a dream spot for both adventurous outdoor pursuits and unparalleled high-end relaxation. The fact that the area around NEOM is on average 10 degrees Celsius cooler than the rest of the GCC only adds to the appeal, particularly in the summer months.
When can I visit?
The majority of the mega-project is scheduled for completion by 2025 and infrastructure work on The Line is currently underway, meaning that if all goes to plan the city will begin to welcome residents by early 2024. The first of NEOM’s hotels meanwhile should open by the end of 2022 and the international airport will be operational by 2030. The most recent happening in NEOM is the first-ever NEOM Beach Games 2022 which is taking place in the city this month.
Coming 2025. neom.com.
Interested in more NEOM news? Click here for the first-ever NEOM Beach Games starting this month.
