26,500 sq km ‘Futuristic’ City Plan - Saudi Arabia Giga-Projects NEOM
Image credit: NEOM - Nest NEOM HQ
Introduction
The giga-projects are a fascinating and complex collection of 14 large-scale infrastructure and development initiatives in Saudi Arabia. The development aims to create new job opportunities, position the kingdom as a global leader in sustainable innovation and urban development, while transforming the kingdom into a global tourism and investment hub. The venture will assist in diversifying the Kingdom’s economy away from oil.
These giga-projects are a core component of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 plan, which seeks to reshape Saudi Arabia's economy and make it a global leader in various sectors.
One of the most prominent of these giga-projects is NEOM, a planned city that spans 26,500 square kilometres. This ‘futuristic’ city plans to include key features such as a linear city called "The Line," a floating industrial zone called "Oxagon," and other regions designed for tourism and entertainment.
Progress
Significant construction work is underway across multiple key regions of NEOM, which are divided into four tourism destinations including:
Trojena
Magna
The Islands and
The Nature Reserve
The Line
NEOM is “not a building; it’s a city,” with progress on excavation and site preparation for the 170-km-long, 500-m-high city, capable of housing nine million residents.
‘The Line’s’ departure from traditional urban planning has been described as innovative, with a vertically layered design intended to maximise sustainability and efficiency. The new ‘city’ will span several diverse terrains, including mountains and coastal regions.
With excavation, foundational preparations, and material mobilization already completed for ‘The Line’, the substantial groundwork has been laid for this giga-project.
Image credit: NEOM - The Line
Oxagon
Located on the southern coastline, Oxagon is NEOM’s futuristic port and industrial city. Keeping with Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision, Oxagon is focused on clean energy and sustainable industrial innovation, while also becoming a hub for robotics, port facilities and advanced manufacturing systems.
Trojena
The key features of the mountain destination ‘Trojena’ include ski slopes, hiking trails, and lakes. These will be accompanied by residential areas and a resort to make it a year-round destination.
Image credit: NEOM - Ski Slopes
Transportation and sustainability
NEOM is also building infrastructure with the intention of keeping surface areas vehicle free. This is being done through the building of a high-speed underground transport network sustainability. By focusing on building underground transport, the natural landscape can be better preserved.
Conclusion
NEOM alongside other giga-projects in Saudi Arabia are poised to position the kingdom as a global leader in sustainable innovation and urban development. It will assist in diversifying the Kingdom’s economy away from oil.
To learn more about any of the matters discussed here, or if you require legal assistance, please contact Chris Moshidis, Director and Principal Lawyer on +61 3 9521 7956 or chris@urbanlawyers.com.au.