Neom: Saudi Arabia’s Green Innovation Hub

In Saudi Arabia’s array of ambitious projects, Neom stands out as the epitome of eccentricity. With an investment exceeding half a trillion dollars, the kingdom is set on metamorphosing the desert into ten futuristic regions, featuring extraordinary elements like a floating port city and a yachting hub. At the forefront is The Line, a city stretching 0.12 miles wide and 105 miles long, boasting a distinctive mirrored facade. 

Neom aspires to accommodate a staggering 9 million residents within this “vertical garden city,” where daily necessities are within a brief five-minute walk. Proposing a high-speed rail system to traverse the city in just 20 minutes, Neom envisions a landscape devoid of roads, traffic, or pollution, entirely powered by renewable energy. Going beyond the norm, the project aims to gather extensive data about residents and services, setting it apart from other conventional “smart cities.”

What is the Hype About NEOM?

Introducing NEOM – not just a place but a catalyst for advancing humanity and envisioning a New Future. Located in the northwest of Saudi Arabia along the Red Sea, NEOM is more than a mere geographical location; it’s a dynamic experiment unfolding before our eyes. Conceived as a living laboratory, NEOM represents a unique terrain where entrepreneurial spirit will pave the way for this New Future. 

It’s not just a destination; it’s a haven for those with grand aspirations, eager to contribute to crafting a novel model for unparalleled livability, fostering thriving businesses, and redefining environmental conservation. NEOM’s landscape will be adorned with hyperconnected, cognitive cities, ports, enterprise zones, research centers, sports and entertainment venues, and tourist hotspots. 

This groundbreaking venture positions NEOM as an innovation hub, drawing entrepreneurs, business leaders, and companies to explore, incubate, and commercialize new technologies and enterprises. NEOM residents are set to embody an international ethos, embracing a culture defined by exploration, risk-taking, and diversity – making NEOM not just a destination but a manifestation of a forward-thinking global community.

A Strategic Hub of Development in Saudia Arabia

Approximately 20% of the infrastructure developments within NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s visionary $500 billion cities, have been finalized, as per the latest report from the agency. This colossal engineering endeavor is set to rely entirely on clean energy, eliminating the need for cars, and boasting streets free of carbon emissions. 

The name NEOM, a fusion of the Greek term NEO (new) and the Arabic letter M, representing both the initial letter of “Mustakbal” (the Future) and that of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, epitomizes a forward-looking and sustainable urban initiative.

Everything You Need to Know About NEOM

• Neom, a mega architectural project in Saudi Arabia, is spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).
• The expansive megacity will cover 26,500 sq. kilometers on the Red Sea coast, surpassing the size of Kuwait or Israel.
• Neom will comprise 10 distinct regions, featuring a floating port, a ski resort in the Sarwat Mountains, and a mirrored city.
• Key destinations within Neom include Sindalah for tourism, Trojena for mountain retreat, THE LINE as the flagship city, and Oxagon as an industrial gateway.
• By 2026, Neom is expected to house 450,000 residents, reaching 1.5 to 2 million by 2030. THE LINE aims for nine million residents with a compact footprint of 34 sq. km, towering 100 m tall, 200 m wide, and extending 170 km.
• Neom’s communities in THE LINE will be organized in three dimensions, with autonomous services leveraging AI and a distinctive mirror glass facade.
• The world’s largest green hydrogen production plant and a commitment to 100% renewable energy sources underline Neom’s sustainability focus, ensuring a carbon-positive ecosystem.
• Neom aims to become “the world’s most food self-sufficient city” through innovative vertical farming and greenhouses.
• The introduction of Volocopter as a next-generation mode of transport and direct flights from NEOM to global destinations, including London and Dubai, highlight Neom’s commitment to cutting-edge infrastructure.
• Trojena, located in the Sarwat Mountains, has been awarded the Asian Winter Games in 2029, showcasing Neom’s diverse offerings and commitment to sustainability.

Neom’s Skyward Ambitions

In the world of ambitious projects, Neom stands out with a significant focus on aviation, unveiling plans for four airports that will connect it globally. Presently, direct flights link Neom Bay Airport to key destinations like Dubai International and London Heathrow. Adding to its aeronautical ventures, Neom has made strategic investments, including an undisclosed amount in Boom Supersonic, an American startup pioneering sustainable aviation fuel. 

Additionally, Neom has collaborated since 2021 with Volocopter, a German company specializing in electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft (eVTOLs) or flying taxis. These battery-powered vehicles are set to revolutionize air travel by emitting zero carbon. Neom’s commitment to this vision is evident in its substantial $175 million investment in Volocopter’s Series E funding round in November 2022, accompanied by an order for 15 of their cutting-edge aircraft. 

During a recent presentation at the Dubai Air Show, Borja Blond, the CEO of the Neom-Volocopter joint venture, shared the ambitious plan to operate three types of Volocopter’s eVTOLs—VoloCity, VoloRegion, and VoloDrone. With a target to establish a fleet by 2025, Neom is poised to redefine the future of sustainable and efficient air transportation.

Bottom-Line

Neom, Saudi Arabia’s revolutionary half-trillion-dollar venture, is redefining urban living with a desert transformation into ten regions. The centerpiece is The Line, a mirrored city, leading towards a “vertical garden city” for 9 million residents fueled by renewable energy. Beyond urban design, Neom aims to become a global aviation hub with strategic investments. Distinguished by innovation, it gathers extensive data, setting itself apart in the realm of smart cities. Neom signifies a paradigm shift, forging a New Future at the nexus of ambition, innovation, and sustainability.