Neom is a $500 billion megaproject in northwest Saudi Arabia that aims to house more people than New York City. The project, spearheaded by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, includes a golf course, mega-mansions, and palaces with helipads and beachfront access. The flagship element of Neom, called The Line, is a 105-mile long “linear city” that could eventually house nine million people. However, progress on The Line has reportedly stalled due to escalating costs and engineering challenges.
Critics of Neom have raised concerns about the project being overambitious, impractical, and catering only to the super-rich. Reports have surfaced that Saudi security forces have been authorized to use “lethal force” to clear land for The Line’s construction, leading to fatal clashes with protesters. Despite these controversies, bin Salman views Neom as a critical component of his vision to transform Saudi Arabia into a tech-focused, diversified economy. The project also includes luxury entertainment destinations such as Sindalah, a “luxury island destination,” and Trojena, which will offer alpine and adventure sports.
Neom is funded by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the PIF, which oversees $700 billion and has committed $500 billion to the project. However, the actual costs of Neom are expected to exceed this budget, with the first 1.5-mile phase of The Line alone estimated to cost $100 billion. The project aims to attract tourists and residents to the kingdom, with plans for a cosmopolitan marina community called Jaumur, a research institute for oceanographic research, and a boarding school. Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding Neom, it represents bin Salman’s ambitious vision for the future of urban living in Saudi Arabia.
In addition to housing options, Neom includes luxury entertainment destinations like Sindalah, Trojena, and Jaumur. Sindalah is marketed as a “luxury island destination,” while Trojena offers alpine and adventure sports, including ski slopes. Jaumur is a cosmopolitan marina community on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, designed to accommodate over 6,000 residents and host a research institute for oceanographic research and a boarding school. While Neom is still in the early stages of development, it is seen as a key part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil.
Despite the grand ambitions of Neom, the project faces challenges such as escalating costs, engineering complexities, and controversies surrounding land clearance. Critics have questioned the feasibility and practicality of Neom, raising concerns about its exclusivity and potential environmental impact. Nevertheless, bin Salman remains committed to the project, viewing it as a critical component of his vision for transforming Saudi Arabia into a tech-focused, diversified economy. As construction continues on Neom, it remains to be seen how the project will evolve and whether it will achieve its goals of attracting residents, tourists, and investors to the kingdom.
