Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to diversify its economy and reduce its dependency on oil. One of the most ambitious projects under this vision is Neom, a $500 billion eco-city planned to stretch over 26,500 square kilometers in the Saudi desert. With promises of cutting-edge technology, sustainable living, and revolutionary urban planning, Neom has captured global attention. However, many questions remain about its feasibility, sustainability, and the socio-political implications of such a grandiose project.
Neom’s Ambitious Vision
Neom’s developers envision a futuristic city with features such as glow-in-the-dark beaches, billions of trees planted in a desert, levitating trains, and even a fake moon. Central to Neom is “The Line,” a 170-kilometer-long city designed to be car-free and carbon-free, where everything residents need will be within a five-minute walk. The city aims to be self-sufficient, utilizing hyper-speed trains to ensure travel times never exceed 20 minutes.
One of the highlights is Oxagon, a city floating on water, which claims to be the largest floating structure in the world. Neom also plans to undertake the world’s largest coral reef restoration project.
Ali Shihabi, a former banker now on Neom’s advisory board, explains, “People say this is some crazy project that’s going to cost gazillions, but it’s going to be built module by module, in a manner that meets demand.”
The Reality on the Ground
Despite these grand plans, progress has been slow. A satellite image shows that only a single square has been built, housing Neom staff. This raises questions about the feasibility of constructing a massive, technologically advanced city in stages while meeting demand.
Ali Shihabi reassures skeptics, saying, “The Line will be built in stages, block by block. Each square will be self-sufficient, containing amenities such as shops and schools so that anything people need will be a five-minute walk or cycle away.”
Sustainability and Greenwashing Concerns
Neom bigger than countries like Israel
Neom is marketed as a blueprint for sustainable living. However, experts question how a city in the desert can live up to its green credentials. The city aims to be food self-sufficient through vertical farming and greenhouses, which is ambitious for a country that imports about 80% of its food. Critics argue that this could be an example of greenwashing, where environmental claims are made to distract from less sustainable realities.
Dr. Manal Shehabi, an energy expert at the University of Oxford, notes, “There are many things to consider. Will food be produced locally in a system that doesn’t use an excessive amount of resources, or will it rely on food imports from abroad?”
Saudi Arabia’s overall commitment to green initiatives has been inconsistent. Despite announcing a target of net zero emissions by 2060, the country continues to increase oil production, contradicting its green pledges. The energy minister’s statement that Saudi Arabia will extract “every molecule of hydrocarbon” reflects the ongoing reliance on fossil fuels.
Technological and Environmental Challenges
Neom plans to solve the region’s water scarcity through desalination powered by renewable energy, aiming to avoid the environmental damage caused by traditional desalination methods. However, using renewable energy for desalination has not been successfully implemented on a large scale. Critics warn that relying on unproven technologies can delay meaningful climate action.
“Saudi Arabia needs some creative thinking, because the Middle East is running out of water,” says Shihabi. Neom’s desalination process will be fueled by renewable energy, and the brine, rather than being dumped back into the sea, will be used as an industrial raw material.
But Dr. Shehabi warns, “Using renewable energies with desalination plants has never been successful. It’s a pilot experimental project, but if we can solve the water problem in the Middle East, if just this project works, everything Neom has done is worthwhile.”
Socio-Political Implications
The creation of Neom has also led to significant socio-political issues, particularly concerning the displacement of local populations. The Huwaitat tribe, which has lived in the region for centuries, has been forcibly removed, and some members have faced violence. Human rights organizations argue that these actions violate international human rights laws.
Sarah Lea Whitson, executive director of Democracy for the Arab World Now, states, “The efforts to forcibly displace the indigenous population breaches every norm and rule of international human rights law.”
In April 2020, Abdulrahim al-Huwaiti, a member of the Huwaitat tribe, refused to be evicted from his home in Tabuk and began posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces. The Saudi embassy’s spokesperson in Washington DC, Fahad Nazer, disputes the allegations of forced removal but did not dispute the killing of Mr. Al-Huwaiti, dismissing it as a “minor incident.”
Economic Viability
Neom’s economic viability is another point of contention. The project’s success relies on attracting a diverse population, from laborers to billionaires. However, the early construction projects, including helipads and golf courses, suggest a focus on catering to the wealthy. This could hinder the city’s ability to create a balanced, inclusive community.
Ali Shihabi claims the city will house everyone “from laborers to billionaires,” although he admits that’s not how it has been perceived. “The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy. People think that it’s just a rich man’s toy.”
The Global Perspective
Critics argue that Saudi Arabia’s commitment to green initiatives is more about public relations than genuine change. At the COP26 climate change negotiations, Saudi Arabia announced its Saudi Green Initiative, aiming for 50% of electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2030. However, only about 0.1% of electricity was generated this way in 2019.
Dr. Joanna Depledge, an expert on international climate change negotiations from the University of Cambridge, highlights the inconsistencies, “In order to limit warming to 1.5C, global oil production needs to fall by roughly 5% a year between now and 2030. Yet Saudi Arabia promised to increase oil production just weeks after making headline green pledges.”
Fahad Nazer, the government spokesman, denies allegations of greenwashing and insists that Saudi Arabia is heading towards a green future. “The reality is that the demand for hydrocarbons around the world is still there.”
Conclusion
Neom represents a bold vision for the future, aiming to blend sustainability with cutting-edge technology in a challenging environment. However, significant hurdles remain, from technological feasibility and environmental sustainability to socio-political and economic considerations. While the project promises to revolutionize urban living, it must address these challenges transparently and effectively to realize its ambitious goals.
As Shihabi invites potential residents to “reserve a condo on The Line before anybody else does,” the world watches closely. Only time will tell if Neom can live up to its promises and truly become a model for future cities.
Interviews with Key Stakeholders
To provide further insight into Neom’s potential success and challenges, several key stakeholders were interviewed.
Ali Shihabi, Advisory Board Member:
“Neom is designed to be a city like no other, combining the best of urban planning with cutting-edge technology and sustainability. Building it in modules allows us to meet demand efficiently. Each square will be self-sufficient, ensuring residents have everything they need within a five-minute walk or cycle.”
Dr. Manal Shehabi, Energy Expert at the University of Oxford:
“The concept of Neom is intriguing, but there are significant challenges, especially regarding sustainability. The reliance on vertical farming and greenhouses in a desert environment raises questions about resource use. Additionally, using renewable energy for desalination has never been successfully implemented on a large scale. It’s a high-risk, high-reward scenario.”
Sarah Lea Whitson, Executive Director of Democracy for the Arab World Now:
“The displacement of the Huwaitat tribe for Neom’s construction is a serious human rights issue. The forced removal of indigenous populations without adequate compensation violates international human rights laws. The project promises economic benefits for the region, but so far, the local population hasn’t seen any of these benefits.”s
Dr. Joanna Depledge, Expert on International Climate Change Negotiations at the University of Cambridge:
“Saudi Arabia’s green pledges need to be scrutinized more closely. While the Saudi Green Initiative aims for 50% of electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2030, current progress is minimal. The country’s ongoing increase in oil production contradicts its green commitments, raising concerns about the sincerity of these pledges.”
Final Thoughts
Neom’s success will depend on its ability to overcome technological, environmental, socio-political, and economic challenges. The project’s innovative vision and ambitious goals offer a glimpse into what future cities could look like. However, it must address the concerns and criticisms raised to truly become a sustainable and inclusive model for urban development.
As the world watches, Neom stands at the crossroads of ambition and reality. Will it succeed in transforming the Saudi desert into a cutting-edge eco-city, or will it become another example of grand plans falling short? Only time will tell.
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