The NEOM project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as a key component in the Vision 2030 plan that is aimed at promoting economic growth and diversity, reducing a reliance on oil to focus on renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources.
This commitment to the future of the Kingdom can be found in the name ‘NEOM’ itself, which is divided into two parts. The first is NEO, the Greek word for ‘new’, and M is taken from ‘mustaqbal’, the Arabic word for ‘future’. The name of the project, quite literally, represents the new future of the Arab world.
NEOM is distinguished by its strategic location on the Red Sea coast, northwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along a length of 468 km. The project extends to regions within the Kingdom and all the way out to Egypt and Jordan with a total area estimated at about 26,500 square km, which makes NEOM a desirable option for investors in the region and across the globe.
The NEOM project consists of four main vital areas - three cities and an island - all of which express the real diversity that characterises the project:
The Line is a city with a novel architectural layout that extends over an area of only 34 square kilometers. It is 200 meters wide, 170 kilometers long, and 500 meters above sea level. The city is devoid of streets and cars, which makes it completely free of carbon emissions. A high-speed train will connect the two endpoints of the line, providing a fully integrated transport system where residents can travel from one end to the other in under 20 minutes. The design will also create a controlled climate throughout the year, and residents will be able to access all vital facilities within a 5-minute walk.
Oxagon is a city that presents a new model centered around people, innovation and sustainability, aiming to change the concept of traditional industrial cities and transform them into a home for clean and developed industries. It enjoys a strategic location on the Red Sea coast, where about 13 percent of global trade traffic passes through the Suez Canal, providing a direct link between NEOM and the whole region.
Trojena will be the tourist and entertainment destination for residents and visitors, extending over an area of 60 square kilometers. It is about 50 km from the Gulf of Aqaba, and will have mountainous areas with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,600 meters above sea level. This region will have a varying climate to suit different types of activities, with low winter temperatures and moderate weather for the rest of the year. Key highlights will include ski slopes extending over 36 km, a large number of commercial centers and restaurants, more than 3,500 hotel rooms and apartments, and a mountain amphitheater with a capacity of 3,000 seats. By adding to Saudi’s hospitality and entertainment footprint, it will also be a source of job creation.
Sindalah is an island overlooking the Red Sea with an area of about 840,000 square meters. It will combine technology and nature to offer a unique luxury experience, with highlights that include over 51 retail outlets, and an 86-berth marina. The island will also provide various activities throughout the year thanks to its distinctive climate, the most important of which is a golf course that will be the most prestigious in the world, and a resort that includes a yacht club, health centres and many international centres and stores.
NEOM will be a destination for those seeking diversity in all aspects of life, as a business and investment hub as well as a centre for sustainability and renewable energy, in line with Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for its Vision 2030 plan.
