NEOM: The Construction part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision2030
Neom is a company launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2017, the first 3 letters come from Ancient Greek meaning ‘new’ and the fourth letter is an abbreviation of “Mostaqbal” in Arabic meaning “future”.
Funded by the Saudi Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund and the Public Investment Fund it aims to be a part of the 2030 vision of the Saudi kingdom to transform Saudi Arabia to transform its economy away from the petroleum (oil) sector and diverge into alternatives that could ensure its future, implementing a vision to achieve that outcome by 2030.
Neom announced that with a goal of $500B they are starting the construction of their first massive project.
- The Line, a mirrored megastructure stretching across 170 kilometers towering 500 meters above sea level, aims to be a city of the future.
The megastructure aims to be completely reliant on renewable green energy while focusing on the health of the people and the planet over other aspects, aiming to host 9 million people and allowing residents access to all daily essentials within a 5-minute walking distance while promising a high-speed rail that can cross the entirety of The Line within 20 minutes.
Other projects were announced shortly after with the list going up to 11 announced megaprojects as of February 5th.
- OXAGON
Announced on November 15th, 2021 is another planned city by Neom, that aims to be built as the world’s largest floating structure, incorporating automation and AI into regular tasks.
Neom claims that OXAGON will have the world’s first fully automated port and integrated logistics hub, the city will be built in the northwest of Saudi Arabia occupying the edges of the Red Sea.
- TROJENA
Nicknamed the mountains of Neom, TROJENA, 6 different clusters to each their purpose, it will be built 50 kilometers from the Gulf of Aqaba in the Sarawat mountains.
TROJENA aims to include a ski resort in the Arabian Peninsula, a vertical village and the world’s most advanced health and well-being center all injected into the normal natural structure to preserve it.
- SINDALAH
Neom aims for SINDALAH to be the first completed project in the aim of vision2030, the project is set to be completed in 2024 is a resort island located on the northwest coast of Saudi Arabia.
It will include multiple luxury features such as the exclusive yacht club, The Village, SINDALAH’s golf course and sports club, its variety of resorts and its beach clubs while being close to NEOM’s mainland.
- LEYJA
Announced on the 15th of October 2023, it’s a natural-looking cluster of hotels, carved into mountains 400 meters high on the edges of the Gulf of Aqaba, standing on top will be the Oasis Hotel, a luxury hotel hosting 40 rooms and suites.
The Wellness Hotel, a split hotel creating a valley, will also host 40 luxurious rooms and suits with its focus on its open-air roof for star observation.
The Adventure Hotel, the first sight of LEYJA, acts as the welcoming area due to the carving structure of the valley, it offers 40 rooms and other entertainment options.
- EPICON
Announced on the 15th of November 2023, EPICON is a resort and a hotel destination, aimed to be built on the Gulf of Aqaba. It will consist of two towers, one 225 meters tall with the other towering 275 meters tall and 45 residential beach villas.
EPICON will be home to an ultra-premium luxury hotel holding 120 rooms and 55 luxury hotel suites and apartments.
- SIRANNA
Announced on the 29th of November, only accessible by watercraft, also built on the Gulf of Aqaba, SIRANNA will be a luxury destination that can host 100 hotel rooms and apartments designed to be isolated from the rest of the destinations, SIRANNA offers a beach club, spas and wellness facilities.
- UTAMO
Announced on the 13th of December 2023, UTAMO is designed to be the performance and art destination in NEOM, it will offer a place for music events, exhibitions and art activation.
UTAMO will also offer VIP lounges and exclusive entertainment.
- NORLANA
Announced on the 27th of December 2023, NORLANA will the waterfront community of NEOM, it will include a 120-beth marina, sustainable deluxe mansions, apartments and beach villas.
It will be built with sand dunes surrounding it.
- AQUELLUM
Announced on the 10h of January 2024, AQUELLUM will be a floating structure that is supposed to encompass an entire ecosystem.
AQUELLUM will include a floating marina, an underwater entry canal and a 100-meter-tall structure with a transit system connecting them, more information to be released later.
- ZARDUN
Announced on the 24th of January 2024, ZARDUN is a resort holding 4 ultra-luxury buildings.
It aims at incorporating modern ecotourism while preserving the natural beauty of the landscape stretching 4 kilometers.
The 4 buildings will offer luxury features while acting as the 4 pillar corners of the retreat, with natural and native plants and animals.
ZARDUN includes the Tower Hotel, the Wedge Hotel, and the Nature Hotel, offering up to 100 rooms.
More information about its development will be released by NEOM later.
This covers the major plans of construction that NEOM is a part of in the vision2030 plan of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the first part of NEON is expected to be completed by later 2024 or early 2025.
