There are a number of futuristic cities being proposed around the world (and even on the moon or on Mars - at least those can be forgiven for being out of this world). Most of these projects are unlikely to ever see the light of day, but one giga-project in Saudi Arabia is already underway.
The plans for this all-new eco-city (called Neom) in the Arabian desert are impressive as they are ambitious. The plans include billions of trees to be planted in the desert nation, a fake moon, levitating trains, car-free, carbon-free, and even glow-in-the-dark beaches.
A Futuristic City Arising out Of the Desert
The plan is for the new city to exist entirely outside the legal confines of the current Saudi judicial system and will have its own autonomous legal system to be drafted by none other than the investors.
- Autonomous: The Plan Is For The City To Be Legal Autonomous From the Rest of The Conservative Country
It is planned to be built in blocks with each square being self-sufficient with everything one may need - shops and schools and with everything being only a five-minute walk or cycle away.
- 5-Minute City: Everything Is Intended To Be only 5 Minutes Away
As if all that isn't enough to believe, it will also be home to Oxagon - a city floating on water and spanning some 4.3 miles. This port city is to welcome its first manufacturing tenants at the beginning of 2022.
There are criticisms that the project is overly relying on unproven technologies. Proposed Neom Amenities include:
- Drone Taxis
- Robot Maids
- Genetic Modification (to Make People Stronger)
- Artificial Rain
- Alcohol (Banned In Saudi Arabia)
- Robot Cage Fighting
- Facial Recognition Security
- Artificial Moon With Livestreaming Capabilities
The Green Vision For Neom And Saudi Arabia
The city is part of the oil kingdom's grand plan to go green. It is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 to wean the country off of oil (the stuff that it got rich from) but it also raises many questions including just how sustainable or feasible it really is. The BBC recently ran an article entitled: Is Saudi Arabia's 100-Mile Eco City Too Good To Be True?
The aim is for Neom to become a "blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromise to the health of the planet".
The plan is also for Neom to become "the world's most food self-sufficient city". It is to be completely powered by renewable energy. Saudi Arabia as a whole plans to have 50% of its electricity to be generated by renewable energy by 2030 - even though only 0.1% was generated by renewables in 2019.
- Bigger Picture: Part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030
- Sustainable: It Is Being Built With An Eye Towards Sustainability
It is also something of an experimental project aiming to solve the acute water storage problems in the Middle East.
Further up the coast, there are plans to create the largest coral reef restoration project in the world.
The Size And Scope Of Neom
The area allocated for this city is massive - some 26,500 sq-km (10,230 sq-miles). That is about the size of the state of Massachusetts.
The territory is planned to include a city called The Line that will stretch for some 170 kilometers or 105 miles in a straight line through the desert. This massively elongated city is also to be connected by hyper-speed trains and the longest journey will not take longer than 20 minutes.
- Length: The City of The Line Will Stretch For 105 Miles Into The Desert
- Railway: It Is Planned To Be Connected With A Hyper-Speed Train
- Journey Time: Max Journey Time 20 Minutes
- Area: 26,500 sq-km (10,230 sq-miles)
Construction And Cost Of Neom
Unlike many other proposals out there, this seems more than a pipe dream that will never happen Neom is actually going ahead. Ground has already been broken and construction is underway.
Although that doesn't necessarily mean it will be completed - like the stalled Jeddah Tower that is meant to become the tallest skyscraper in the world. It is being built in stages - block by block.
- Cost: $500 Billion
- First Section: Plans To Be Complete By 2025
The first phase of this mega-territory is to be completed by 2025. Satellite imagery shows that a single square has indeed been built in the desert. The square has rows of homes, two swimming pools, and a football pitch - although this is meant to be the camp for the Neom staff.
In the United States, there is even a similar plan to build a futuristic 5-million strong resident city. American billionaire Marc Lore is working on his vision to build the futuristic city of Telosa in America's desert. Time will tell what is destined to become of these massive projects.