Satellite images reveal limited progress on Neom, Saudi Arabia’s “city of the future,” originally aimed for significant development by 2030. Critiques regarding feasibility, environmental concerns, and financial strain illuminate challenges facing the project, as many migrant workers have died and local residents face eviction. The dream of Neom contrasts sharply with current realities.
Recent satellite imagery has provided a stark contrast to the dreamy vision of Neom, Saudi Arabia’s proposed “city of the future.” Originally planned to feature significant development by 2030 and reach completion by 2045, the latest images show limited progress. While some worker accommodations exist, there is minimal advancement on the main infrastructure over the previous years.
In 2023, satellite snapshots displayed substantial groundwork, but subsequent photographs reveal a slowdown in activity. Bloomberg indicators suggest design alterations and reduced workforce numbers, though Saudi Economic Minister Faisal F. Alibrahim has denied these claims. Neom is intended as a pivotal project by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to transition the kingdom’s economy from oil reliance to one focused on science and leisure.
Criticism surrounds the overall feasibility of Neom, particularly regarding its mirrored-glass architecture, which experts warn could create a “giant greenhouse” effect. With rising global temperatures and a severe heatwave in June 2024 leading to significant casualties during the Hajj pilgrimage, safety concerns about Neom’s ambitious aspirations have intensified.
Providing adequate water and cooling solutions for approximately nine million residents poses ongoing challenges for the megacity. Cost estimates for the project are now projected to exceed two trillion dollars, surpassing initial financial projections significantly. Beatrice Nolan from Business Insider has suggested Saudi Arabia may face financial pressures from fluctuating oil prices, impacting the project’s viability.
When Neom was launched in January 2021, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expected a $48 billion economic boost. However, anticipated improvements in economic conditions are not expected soon. Industry analysts predict that realizing Neom could take up to a century, even with an immediate goal of building a stadium for the 2034 World Cup.
One component currently under development is a canal that will traverse the desert to the sea, intended to create a “hidden marina.” This waterway aims to provide residents access to the Red Sea from the city. Nonetheless, the project has exhibited troubling consequences, with reports from Business Insider indicating thousands of migrant workers have died during construction, and many residents have faced eviction.
Recalcitrant individuals resisting relocation face severe penalties, including terrorism charges, with three individuals currently facing execution. Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti reportedly lost his life during a confrontation with security forces when he refused to leave his home. Artistic renderings of Neom suggest a futuristic living environment, but current satellite data reveals a dismal and hazardous reality of a barren desert progression.
Neom’s ambitious plans showcase significant intentions for the future; however, actual advancements are limited, and numerous obstacles threaten its feasibility. Safety concerns based on environmental factors, financial uncertainties, and human rights implications raise questions about the project’s sustainability. Ultimately, while the vision for an advanced urban center is grand, practicality and ethical considerations remain in question.
Original Source: www.mirror.co.uk
