Satellite images reveal slow progress on Neom, Saudi Arabia’s £1.6 trillion megacity. Originally set for partial completion by 2030, the project faces financial strain and humanitarian issues, including worker fatalities and evictions. The city aims to transition Saudi Arabia’s economy, but significant environmental and ethical challenges remain.
Recent satellite imagery highlights the stagnation of Neom, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious £1.6 trillion megacity project. Initially expected to partially complete by 2030 and fully by 2045, progress has slowed significantly, with little beyond earthworks reported in recent years. Insiders state plans have been scaled back and workers laid off, while the Saudi Economic Minister contests these claims.
Conceived by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Neom aims to transform the Saudi economy from fossil fuels to a more diversified model. However, critics describe the plans as unrealistic, emphasizing that the mirrored-glass design creates a “giant greenhouse,” raising serious concerns about the environmental viability and human survival within extreme heat.
The projected costs for Neom may exceed $2 trillion, due to fluctuating oil prices affecting funding. The vision that the project would contribute $48 billion to the economy remains uncertain, as significant challenges, including water supply and adequate cooling for nine million residents, persist.
While a canal is under construction to connect the city to the Red Sea, the project’s human cost is severe. Thousands of migrant workers are reported to have died, and villagers along Neom’s route face eviction, with severe penalties for non-compliance, such as imprisonment or execution, as exemplified by the tragic case of Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti.
In contrast to artistically optimistic renderings of Neom, satellite photos reflect a concerning reality—a barren line in the desert that risks both ecological disaster and social injustice, calling into question the ambitious future envisioned by the Crown Prince.
The Neom megacity project is facing significant challenges, from funding shortfalls to humanitarian crises resulting from evictions and worker fatalities. Despite the ambitious vision of a futuristic city that could redefine living, satellite images reveal a stark reality of halted progress and environmental concerns that compromise its feasibility and ethical implications.
Original Source: www.express.co.uk
