NEOM- A True Representation Of Urban Development For A Sustainable Future

Shaziamustafa
5 min readOct 3, 2023

Humanity has ignored nature for too long and chosen polluted cities instead. But it will no longer be the same. A revolution in civilization is taking place. Just Imagine the conversion of a traditional city into a groundbreaking sustainable marvel, designed to protect nature. Well, it will help the Saudi government to diversify its economy and finish its dependence on oil.

In today’s article, we’ll be embarking on a journey to explore NEOM City and uncover the secrets of this extraordinary city. We will discuss what is NEOM and what is its potential to diversify the Saudi economy.

Vision 2030 of Saudia Arabia

Vision 2030 refers to the strategic framework of the Saudi government to reduce the dependence of their economy on oil. The country wants to focus on the education, health, infrastructure, and tourism industries to diversify its economy. The key goals of Vision 2030 are the

  • Reinforcing the investment and economic activities
  • Increasing esports besides oil
  • Promoting the Kingdom as a softer and more secular country in the world’s eyes

Moreover, the government is also trying to increase its investment in the military, such as ammunition and equipment manufacturing.

What is NEOM?

His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, had the vision of a sustainable kingdom with technological advancements and environmental preservations. NEOM is the step towards this journey. The NEOM is a huge urban area that the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia planned in the northwestern Tabuk Province.

NEOM City is not another city project. It represents a grand vision of creating a sustainable, livable, and technologically advanced metropolis. Spanning over 26,500 square km, NEOM city aims to become a model for future cities. The three core pillars of this city are

  • Sustainability
  • Livability
  • Innovation

The city’s strategic location is situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, positioning it as a gateway for international collaboration and economic growth. At the heart of the NEOM city’s design philosophy lies a commitment to sustainable practices.

The City’s blueprint incorporates innovative techniques to reduce environmental impact. And promote harmony between humans and nature.

Naming of NEOM

The founder of NEOM, His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman envisioned it as an agent of progress and change. Therefore, it was thought to be named to represent its values, vision, and identity.

The first three letters come from the Greek prefix “Neo,” which means “new.” The letter M is derived from an Arabic word “Mustaqabl,” which means “future.” Moreover, “M” is also the first letter of the name of the Crown Prince, Mohmaad bin Salman.

Goals Behind the city of dream, NEOM

Some key sustainable design principles of NEOM City include:

  1. Carbon neutrality by utilizing renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal power. Thus, NEOM will be a great initiative towards the reduction of carbon emissions to combat climate change.
  2. Implementation of an advanced waste management system that would rely on recycling, waste-to-energy technologies, and composting.
  3. Preservation of wildlife and ecosystem of the region. For this purpose, the natural reserves and green spaces will be preserved throughout the region to ensure that urban life does not affect biodiversity.
  4. Conservation of water through the latest techniques, such as efficient irrigation systems, water recycling, and desalination.

Technological Advancements in the NEOM City

Now let’s explore the technological advancements that will be implemented in NEOM City:

· Use of data analytics, sensors, and smart grids for optimal resource consumption. Ultimately, the region will have efficient waste management, traffic management, and energy distribution systems.

· Use of electric and autonomous transport. As a result, the city envisions a congestion-free future with enhanced mobility and reduced carbon emissions.

· Implementation of AI technologies to optimize energy usage, ensure effective usage of smart city services, and predict demands for a more convenient life.

· Implementation of blockchain technologies in the city to ensure efficiency and accountability

· Integration of IOT devices and 5G networks to ensure real-time data collection and analysis

In a nutshell, NEOM City plans to harness maximum technological innovations for a sustainable and connected future. NEOM City is a living laboratory where technological innovations are harnessed to create a more sustainable and connected future.

NEOM City: A perfect innovative place to enjoy life for residents

The planners of the NEOM city have envisioned making it a perfect place to live for residents.

Here’s how this wonderful city enhances livability for its residents:

The city ensures the

  • Active citizen participation through community-driven initiatives, fostering a sense of belonging and shared responsibility
  • Availability of wellness centers and State-of-the-art healthcare facilities
  • a diverse range of entertainment, recreational, and cultural facilities
  • Access to theaters, museums, eco-tourism attractions, and sport complexes

Above all, the location of NEOM in the temperate Northwest of Saudia Arabia offers residents to enjoy snow-capped mountains and sun-soaked beaches. Thus, residents can live their lives to the fullest while preserving 95% of the natural landscape.

Districts of Neom: The Line, Oxagon, Sindalah and Trojena

The Line-The Future of Urban Living

The Line is the linear smart city that is under construction as Planned in Neom, Tabuk Province. The city stretches across 170 kilometers, which ranges from the epic Neom mountains to the mesmerizing Red Sea. The height and width of this masterpiece are 500m and 200m, respectively. Thus, the city is a great example of land preservation and nature preservation.

The Line is a clear depiction of the future cities, indicating true urban development projects. There will be no car emissions in the city, ensuring 100% use of renewable energy. The people’s health will be more valuable than infrastructure and transportation. Isn’t it like a dream? But this dream is going to be a reality shortly.

The city will have the capacity to accommodate 9 million people in just 34 square kilometers. The residents of the city will be provided with an ideal environment to enjoy nature.

Sindalah-A luxury Island to become the Leading tourism destination

Sindalah, a Seahorse-shaped Island, is the first tourist destination to be opened in the mega smart city. It covers over 840,000 square meters around the Red Sea. The primary focus of this luxury island destination is to conserve the natural beauty.

The breathtaking island will be home to luxury shopping centers, upscale resorts, and a superyacht marina.

Trojena- The legendary outdoor skiing destination

The first significant outdoor skiing resort in the GCC will be Trojena, which is situated in the Neom Mountains, part of the highest range in Saudi Arabia. The tourism destination has facilities for amateur and professional skiers. Moreover, visitors could find hotels, restaurants, cafes, and shops in the nearby purpose-built village on the mountain.

Oxagon- the world’s largest industrial complex

The industrial hub of the smartest city is located in the South-West of the Red Sea. Its location near the Suez Canal makes it an excellent trade destination. The quick link of Oxagon to Neom airport and The Line will make it the largest cruise terminal in the Red Sea.

Conclusion

To conclude, the concept of the Neom City is beyond innovation and sustainability. It truly represents the sustainability, ingenuity, and pursuit of a better future. The primary goal of the city is to offer a luxury lifestyle to its residents and tourists. Neom City is rendered to redefine urban lifestyle by embracing innovative technologies. It serves as a ray of hope to develop such inspiring cities worldwide to embark on a journey toward a sustainable future.

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