Latest news with #megacity
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Future of $1tn megacity The Line hangs by a thread as Saudi rulers ‘check feasibility' of mad scandal-hit vanity project
THE future of the $1 trillion megacity The Line is hanging on by a thread as Saudi rulers are checking the "feasibility" of the mad scandal-hit vanity project. The mirrored city was to extend 106 miles and house 1.5 million residents - but this was later reduced by a laughable 99 per cent to stretch just 1.5 miles and house only 300,000 people. 12 12 12 The wildly ambitious Neom is set to become a Saudi region that will be characterised by numerous cities, lavish resorts, and other tourism-based real estate developments. Within the site is to be The Line - a sideways skyscraper that is supposed to "shine a light on alternative ways to live". Now, Saudi Arabia has desperately asked consulting firms to review its plans to build the bizarre city. The ultra-rich kingdom's public investment fund, or PIF, asked consultants to determine whether its extravagant building plans are actually feasible, insiders told Bloomberg. The government could decide that no changes are necessary and the project can continue as planned, sources said. And any changes would have to be agreed by executives at the PIF followed by the government itself. Embarrassed Neom said in a statement: "As is typical with large-scale, multi-year projects, strategic reviews are common practice and occur several times over the course of a major development project or infrastructure program. "The Line remains a strategic priority and Neom is focused on maintaining operational continuity, improving efficiencies and accelerating progress to match the overall vision and objectives of the project." The assessment emphasises just how much the kingdom looks to revise project under its Vision 2030 plan to reshape the economy. As oil prices lower and foreign investments become weaker, alongside budget shortfalls, Saudi Arabia has been forced to make tough decisions on what it wants to prioritise and at what pace is taken. And The Line isn't the only Saudi mega-project that's struggling to bear fruit. Fellow Neom development, Sindalah, is sitting dormant despite being launched last year. The project was the first to open at Neom but was halted over various issues like design flaws, sources added to Bloomberg. LIFE ON 'THE LINE' The Line is to be a car-free, three-dimensional and high-density metropolis that challenges conventional urban planning, a top boss on the build said a few months ago. Neom Chief Development Officer Denis Hickey shed light on Saudi Arabia's crown jewel construction and what life would be like living inside the revolutionary urban environment. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the boss offered an in-depth look at some of the details of the city such as its 'innovative transport network', and the ability to move not only horizontally but vertically. Hickey said: 'The Line is not just about compact urban living; it's about redefining city life to prioritise human well-being over congestion.' The boss explained that instead of sprawling neighbourhoods, the city will be a linear, vertical "landscraper" structure with modular sections stacked on top of one another to maximise space efficiency. 12 12 He continued: 'Everything you need will be within a five-minute walk… schools, restaurants, workplaces, hospitals, and entertainment venues will all be immediately accessible without the need for a car.' The megaproject will be 500 metres tall, and create a canyon-like structure allowing residents to move upwards, downwards and sideways easily. In a blow to motorheads, cars will not feature at all in the city in an attempt to reduce pollution - instead a high-speed transport system will take its place. Hickey added: 'Urban sprawl is outdated - we are moving beyond the old way of expanding cities by simply adding more roads. 'The Line will be the world's first major city built without cars. Residents will travel via a high-speed underground rail network, general mass transit, and rapid vertical transportation.' But the boss assured potential residents that the average commute within the whole city would be under 20 minutes from 'anywhere inside The Line'. One huge part of the project, which could attract Brits, is an ambitious futuristic football stadium, designed to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. 'This will be a stadium like nothing seen before,' Hickey said. 'The playing field will sit at the height of the Empire State Building, giving fans a completely new way to experience games—suspended in the sky with breathtaking views of the city.' The stadium aims to broaden the spectrum of culture within the city and integrate different types of entertainment into the society. The Line will also not be exclusive based on wealth, and targets a broad range of income levels, according to Hickey.. He said: 'This is not Billionaires' Row. 'We are designing a city where everyone, regardless of income level, has equal access to world-class urban living. Saudi's plan for $5b world's tallest skyscraper twice the height of Burj Khalifa 'In most cities, if you don't live near the park or downtown, you miss out on the best amenities. 'In The LINE, every resident will have immediate access to green spaces, infrastructure, and cultural landmarks.' The first part of the project, Hidden Marina, is set to house over 200,000 people, with essential infrastructure such as schools, places of worship, police and hospitals all seamlessly integrated into the urban area. The revelations come as Saudi Arabia last year announced that the megacity won't actually be ready for another 50 years. The £1trillion project was originally supposed to be part of the country's Vision 2030 plan, but it has been majorly pushed back, and only 1% of it will be completed by the end of this decade. Saudi Arabia's project has also been criticised for several major blunders that have raised concerns about its feasibility, ethics, and overall execution. In 2024, an ITV documentary revealed that 21,000 workers had died working in the country since Vision 2030 was announced in 2016. Neom, which includes The Line, is the project's flagship build. 12 12 12 Hickey ended the talk by reaffirming that The Line is under construction and is not 'science fiction'. 'The Line is becoming a reality,' he said. 'BUILT ON BLOOD' Beneath NEOM's glitzy facade lies a story of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed that cast a dark shadow over Saudi's vanity project. Many developments have faced fierce criticism over human rights abuses, where tribes were shoved out of their homeland, imprisoned or executed. At least 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe face eviction, with no information about where they will live in the future. For centuries, this indigenous community lived in the area designated for NEOM's construction. But what followed was a harsh crackdown on those who resisted leaving their homes. The most tragic incident involved the killing of Abdul Rahim al-Howeiti, a prominent tribal leader who opposed the forced removals. His death at the hands of Saudi security forces in 2020 became a stark symbol of the lengths to which the kingdom was willing to go to push the project forward. One campaigner claimed "Neom is built on Saudi blood". Authorities in the port city of Jeddah also demolished many houses to implement Saudi's development plans - with thousands of locals evicted illegally. Nader Hijazi - who decided to remain anonymous - grew up in Aziziyah, one of around 63 communities devastated by the demolitions. His father's house was demolished in 2021, and he received less than a month's notice. Hijazi said the photographs he saw of his previous neighbourhood were terrible, resembling a warzone. 12 12 12 He told the BBC: "They're waging a war on people, a war on our identities." Jeed Basyouni, Middle East director of the human rights organisation Reprieve, told DW: "We have seen, time and again, that anyone who disagrees with the crown prince, or gets in his way, risks being sentenced to jail or to death." In May, an ex-intelligence officer revealed how Saudi authorities allowed the use of lethal force to clear land for The Line. Col Rabih Alenezi told the BBC he was given the order to drive out residents of a tribe in the Gulf state so that NEOM's flagship project could be built. After that, one of them was shot and murdered for protesting against eviction. He said the April 2020 order stated the Huwaitat was made up of "many rebels" and "whoever continues to resist [eviction] should be killed, so it licensed the use of lethal force against whoever stayed in their home". Top 5 blunders plaguing NEOM project By Juliana Cruz Lima, Foreign News Reporter Saudi Arabia's NEOM project, despite its ambitious vision, has been criticized for several major blunders that have raised concerns about its feasibility, ethics, and overall execution. Here are the top five major blunders associated with the project: Forced Displacement of Indigenous Communities: One of the most significant controversies surrounding NEOM is the forced displacement of the Huwaitat tribe. This indigenous community, which has lived in the area for centuries, was forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to make way for the development of the mega-city. The Saudi government's crackdown on those who resisted, including the killing of a tribal leader, Abdul Rahim al-Howeiti, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organisations. This blunder not only sparked international outrage but also tainted NEOM's image as a forward-thinking, humane project. Environmental Impact and Sustainability Concerns: NEOM has been marketed as an environmentally sustainable city, but the environmental impact of such a massive development is a major concern. The project's scale—covering over 26,500 square kilometers—poses significant risks to local ecosystems, particularly in the Red Sea, which is home to rich marine biodiversity. Critics argue that the construction of artificial islands and extensive urbanisation could lead to irreversible ecological damage. The enormous water and energy demands required to maintain a green city in the desert also raise questions about the project's sustainability. Economic Viability and Cost Overruns: NEOM is one of the most expensive development projects in history. But there are serious doubts about its economic viability. Critics question whether the project can attract the necessary foreign investment and whether it will generate sufficient returns to justify the enormous expenditure. The economic risks are further compounded by potential cost overruns and delays, which are common in megaprojects of this scale. This financial gamble has led some to worry that NEOM could become a costly white elephant if it fails to meet its ambitious goals. Technological Overreach and Ethical Concerns: NEOM is envisioned as a high-tech city, heavily reliant on artificial intelligence, robotics, and extensive surveillance systems. While this technological ambition is central to NEOM's identity, it also raises significant ethical concerns. The level of surveillance planned for the city could lead to unprecedented control over residents' lives, sparking fears about privacy and civil liberties. The lack of transparency about how AI will be used, coupled with concerns about job displacement, has also led to criticism that NEOM's technological vision may be more dystopian than utopian. Cultural and Social Disconnect: NEOM's vision of a futuristic, liberalized society clashes sharply with Saudi Arabia's deeply conservative cultural norms. The project plans to introduce mixed-gender sports, entertainment events, and other liberal lifestyle elements that are rare in the kingdom. This cultural shift has raised concerns about a potential clash between NEOM's globalised vision and the traditional values of Saudi society. The disconnect between the project's ambitions and the broader cultural context has led to skepticism about whether NEOM can truly integrate into Saudi Arabia's social fabric without causing significant friction.
Khaleej Times
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
India: New Delhi says fuel ban on old vehicles not feasible
Two days after India's capital stopped fuel sales to ageing vehicles to tackle the sprawling megacity's hazardous air pollution, authorities on Thursday said the ban was not practical. New Delhi is regularly ranked as one of the most polluted capitals globally with vehicular emissions being one of the worst offenders, according to several studies. At the peak of the smog, levels of PM2.5 pollutants -- dangerous cancer-causing microparticles small enough to enter the bloodstream through the lungs -- surge to more than 60 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily maximum. The fuel restriction was introduced on Tuesday to reinforce an already-existing but widely disregarded ban on petrol cars older than 15 years, and diesel vehicles older than 10. But Delhi's environment minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, told reporters the fuel ban was not feasible because of "crucial issues related to technological glitches". Number plate-recognising cameras and loudspeakers installed at fuelling stations were "malfunctioning", Sirsa said, leading to "fights and arguments". The ban had resulted in public "discontent", he added. Sirsa said he had written to the area's pollution control authority, explaining the problems in implementing the ban. "Unless there is a robust system and the ban is everywhere, it will not work," he added. The ban was to be extended to satellite cities around the capital, an area home to more than 32 million people, from November. A study in The Lancet medical journal attributed 1.67 million premature deaths in India to air pollution in 2019. Each winter, vehicle and factory emissions coupled with farm fires from surrounding states wrap the city in a dystopian haze. Cooler temperatures and slow-moving winds worsen the situation by trapping deadly pollutants. Piecemeal government initiatives, such as partial restrictions on fossil fuel-powered transport and water trucks spraying mist to clear particulate matter from the air, have failed to make a noticeable impact.
Globe and Mail
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Beijing Radio and Television Station Launches 14-Episode Multi-Platform Documentary "Where the Spring Breeze Blows"
Beijing, China--(Newsfile Corp. - July 1, 2025) - To comprehensively showcase a new Beijing in the new era, Beijing Radio and Television Station will launch a 14-episode multi-platform documentary, titled, "Where the Spring Breeze Blows" from July 1 to July 18. Each episode, approximately 12 minutes long, will air from Monday to Friday at 7:30 PM on BTV and the app. Where the Spring Breeze Blows revolves around 14 themes, including urban planning, Red Beijing, international exchanges, the Double Olympic City, sustainable development, regional collaboration, Beijing's intelligent industry and innovation, the city as a science and technology innovation center, democracy and rule of law, cultural heritage, green initiatives, good governance, urban-rural integration, and party leadership. It vividly showcases the dynamic transformation of Beijing, the capital of China and a megacity, through vibrant visual language and real-life cases. Cannot view this video? Visit: The program delves into representative landmarks of the new Beijing, exploring the "extraordinary ordinary people" deeply connected to these places, recording their memories, experiences, and insights while authentically presenting the vitality of Beijing enjoying the animating spring breeze. As a multi-platform documentary, Where the Spring Breeze Blows features two prominent characteristics: a people's perspective and lively expression. The first characteristic is the simple, relatable perspective of everyday people, providing deep observations and genuine insights that thread through all 14 episodes. "A Science and Technology Innovation Center" Meet a patient implanted with a brain chip- a 29-year-old man paralyzed for five years due to an accident. His simple wish is to walk his child to school one day. Through a brain-machine interface, he takes his first step by controlling an exoskeleton with his mind. The people-focused technological innovation gives him a fresh start in life. "Good Governance of a Big City" The smoothly run subway network of Beijing is a great example of the city addressing the challenges of a major city by pinpointing key issues, effectively utilizing "precision methods," and honing its "delicate skills." This approach promotes the wisdom and experience that underpin the city's effective urban governance. "True good governance is never about forcefully reshaping the city; rather, it involves a meticulous approach to precisely addressing the pain points of people's livelihoods while leveraging the role of technology." This program aims to present a new understanding and resonance of this vibrant city from the perspective of its citizens, which enhances the multi-platform attributes of the series. The second characteristic and defining tone of the series is authenticity, with its honest recording of memories, observations, and insights. "Cultural Heritage of Beijing" Following the successful inscription of the Beijing Central Axis as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the preservation of cultural heritage has continuously improved the living conditions of residents in Nanluoguxiang. Li Xujun, a local who enjoys raising katydids, a kind of grasshopper, said that in the past, he kept katydids because the hutong environment was poor and he wanted to hear the sounds of insects. Now that the environment has improved, raising katydids has become more of an emotional affair, a nostalgia-tinted pursuit that embodies the flavor of old Beijing. "Double Olympic City" The former Olympic venue at HUAXI LIVE·Wukesong has been transformed into a vibrant cultural and commercial hub bustling with concerts and other cultural and commercial events and showcasing the sustainable use of Olympic heritage. The post-Olympic use of venues is a global challenge. Beijing's sustainable approach has left foreign visitors attending concerts there amazed, with one remarking, "I've never been to such a venue before. We really need to take notes; here, there's truly nothing that can't be done, only things that haven't been thought of." "Intelligent Manufacturing" This aspect of Beijing's development is presented through jaw-dropping footage. In Beijing's super automobile factory, each assembly step takes a maximum of 76 seconds, showcasing the astonishing speed of the super factory and Chinese efficiency. "International Exchanges" The world's only Pop Mart City Park captivates many foreign visitors. The growing popularity of Chinese tourism and the deepening influence of Chinese culture globally are increasingly evident. "Urban Planning" An eye-catching example of the AIGC technology used in this absorbing documentary shows little divine beasts leaping into the water at the first bridge on Beijing Central Axis-Wanning Bridge-nestled in picturesque scenery. "Green Initiatives" The nationally protected Eurasian eagle-owl, which lives near Beijing's most important drinking water source, the Miyun Reservoir, has "flown" into the Grand Canal Museum's "This is the Shang" exhibition, engaging in an ecological dialogue that spans 3,200 years with an ancient owl-shaped artifact. The series' gripping forms of expression vividly portray the new outlook of the new Beijing in the new era.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beijing Radio and Television Station Launches 14-Episode Multi-Platform Documentary "Where the Spring Breeze Blows"
Beijing, China--(Newsfile Corp. - July 1, 2025) - To comprehensively showcase a new Beijing in the new era, Beijing Radio and Television Station will launch a 14-episode multi-platform documentary, titled, "Where the Spring Breeze Blows" from July 1 to July 18. Each episode, approximately 12 minutes long, will air from Monday to Friday at 7:30 PM on BTV and the app. Where the Spring Breeze Blows revolves around 14 themes, including urban planning, Red Beijing, international exchanges, the Double Olympic City, sustainable development, regional collaboration, Beijing's intelligent industry and innovation, the city as a science and technology innovation center, democracy and rule of law, cultural heritage, green initiatives, good governance, urban-rural integration, and party leadership. It vividly showcases the dynamic transformation of Beijing, the capital of China and a megacity, through vibrant visual language and real-life cases. Cannot view this video? Visit: The program delves into representative landmarks of the new Beijing, exploring the "extraordinary ordinary people" deeply connected to these places, recording their memories, experiences, and insights while authentically presenting the vitality of Beijing enjoying the animating spring breeze. As a multi-platform documentary, Where the Spring Breeze Blows features two prominent characteristics: a people's perspective and lively expression. The first characteristic is the simple, relatable perspective of everyday people, providing deep observations and genuine insights that thread through all 14 episodes. "A Science and Technology Innovation Center" Meet a patient implanted with a brain chip- a 29-year-old man paralyzed for five years due to an accident. His simple wish is to walk his child to school one day. Through a brain-machine interface, he takes his first step by controlling an exoskeleton with his mind. The people-focused technological innovation gives him a fresh start in life. "Good Governance of a Big City" The smoothly run subway network of Beijing is a great example of the city addressing the challenges of a major city by pinpointing key issues, effectively utilizing "precision methods," and honing its "delicate skills." This approach promotes the wisdom and experience that underpin the city's effective urban governance. "True good governance is never about forcefully reshaping the city; rather, it involves a meticulous approach to precisely addressing the pain points of people's livelihoods while leveraging the role of technology." This program aims to present a new understanding and resonance of this vibrant city from the perspective of its citizens, which enhances the multi-platform attributes of the series. The second characteristic and defining tone of the series is authenticity, with its honest recording of memories, observations, and insights. "Cultural Heritage of Beijing" Following the successful inscription of the Beijing Central Axis as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the preservation of cultural heritage has continuously improved the living conditions of residents in Nanluoguxiang. Li Xujun, a local who enjoys raising katydids, a kind of grasshopper, said that in the past, he kept katydids because the hutong environment was poor and he wanted to hear the sounds of insects. Now that the environment has improved, raising katydids has become more of an emotional affair, a nostalgia-tinted pursuit that embodies the flavor of old Beijing. "Double Olympic City" The former Olympic venue at HUAXI LIVE·Wukesong has been transformed into a vibrant cultural and commercial hub bustling with concerts and other cultural and commercial events and showcasing the sustainable use of Olympic heritage. The post-Olympic use of venues is a global challenge. Beijing's sustainable approach has left foreign visitors attending concerts there amazed, with one remarking, "I've never been to such a venue before. We really need to take notes; here, there's truly nothing that can't be done, only things that haven't been thought of." "Intelligent Manufacturing" This aspect of Beijing's development is presented through jaw-dropping footage. In Beijing's super automobile factory, each assembly step takes a maximum of 76 seconds, showcasing the astonishing speed of the super factory and Chinese efficiency. "International Exchanges" The world's only Pop Mart City Park captivates many foreign visitors. The growing popularity of Chinese tourism and the deepening influence of Chinese culture globally are increasingly evident. "Urban Planning" An eye-catching example of the AIGC technology used in this absorbing documentary shows little divine beasts leaping into the water at the first bridge on Beijing Central Axis-Wanning Bridge-nestled in picturesque scenery. "Green Initiatives" The nationally protected Eurasian eagle-owl, which lives near Beijing's most important drinking water source, the Miyun Reservoir, has "flown" into the Grand Canal Museum's "This is the Shang" exhibition, engaging in an ecological dialogue that spans 3,200 years with an ancient owl-shaped artifact. The series' gripping forms of expression vividly portray the new outlook of the new Beijing in the new era. Media ContactCompany Name: Beijing Time Co., LtdContact: lei LinEmail: linlei@ To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Inside Saudi's blood-soaked $8.8TRILLION Neom megacity project plagued by death & chaos as it grinds to humiliating halt
WHEN Saudi Arabia revealed its ambitious $500billion megacity project, set to be a glittering jewel in the heart of the country's desert, the world marvelled. But the Middle Eastern nation's NEOM project - which would see a high-tech utopia built from scratch near the country's border with Jordan - has long been cursed as one worker reveals all. 10 10 10 10 NEOM was announced as part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's Project 2030 in 2017 - a major push to wean the oil-rich nation's economy off its reliance on fossil fuels. NEOM will be a futuristic city across 26,000 sqft on the Red Sea and will include smaller projects The Line, Oxagon, Trojena, Sindalah and the Gulf of Aqaba Projects. Stunning concept art gave a taste of what was to come, from floating structures to luxury holiday and ski resorts, but eight years on and not much progress has been made. The daring project has been plagued by setbacks and controversy ever since the first construction workers descended into the sprawling dunes. The anticipated cost of delivering the gargantuan scheme is reported to have spiralled from $500bn (£386bn) estimate to a head-spinning $8.8 trillion (£6.8 trillion), according to The New Civil Engineer. But even more shocking are the human rights abuses and brutal conditions for workers looming over NEOM - issues that have plagued the country well before the project. As many as 21,000 are reported to have died during construction on various sections of NEOM, although Saudi authorities have disputed this figure. One former employee has shared their story of working at the gigaproject with The Sun, shedding light on the atrocities taking place behind NEOM's doors. Rights organisations have long blasted the Saudi regime's record on workers' welfare, with a recent Human Rights Watch report detailing the "gruesome yet avoidable" deaths faced by many migrant workers. The advocacy group mentions that some workers die falling from buildings, by electrocution, and even decapitation. Human Rights Watch researcher Joey Shea told the Sun: "Unfortunately migrant workers in Saudi Arabia continue to face widespread abuses, some of which may amount to situations of forced labour, including at high profile gigaprojects. "On NEOM, Human Rights Watch has found that ambitious targets set by Saudi authorities have tight and unrealistic deadlines which can lead employers to demand that workers continue to work under dangerous conditions. "Migrant workers in Saudi Arabia experience illegal and exorbitant Recruitment Fees, limits to job mobility, obstacles exiting the country, as well as serious health and safety risks." Michael, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, told The Sun that the project is unlikely to be anywhere near complete before 2055. Talking about delays, Michael said: "From the very beginning, NEOM had a very long timeline. "There were certain objectives they wanted to achieve by 2030, but most of the leadership were aware of a longer timeframe." Michael said NEOM's management has "overspent quite a bit" since its announcement. He says: "They were focusing on way too many things at the same time. "They just wanted everything at the highest level possible. The biggest entertainment complex in the world. The biggest media studio in the region. "No matter how much money you throw at the thing, it takes more than just money to make it work." The much hyped project, aided by an aggressive social media marketing campaign, has sought to big up NEOM as a vision of futuristic city living. Sci-fi ideas from levitating trains to an artificial moon are reported to have been among the features of the project. But NEOM continues to fall chronically behind schedule, with many of its most ambitious projects still looking like a distant dream. Speaking exclusively to The Sun, the former employee described the work culture at NEOM. 10 10 10 He said: "When I started doing the project, I talked to some people and said that it's absolutely crazy. "Then my Saudi friend told me that in this region, things tend to not be the way they seem. In reality, you never know what's going on in the highest echelons of power." NEOM brands itself as the "future of urban living", aimed at providing sustainable living with 100% renewable energy. One of the flagship proposals in the project is The Line - a single-building high-tech "city" that would house nine million people in just 34 square kilometres. Located deep in the desert, NEOM's construction has also seen horrifying reports of forced displacement of tribal villagers from to make way for construction. Those who resisted suffered a brutal crackdown, which has drawn furious condemnation from human rights groups. A report into the matter by Saudi human rights group ALQST reads: "The NEOM project, which has been mired in secrecy from the start and marked by serious rights violations, shows the extent to which the Saudi authorities are prepared to proceed with planned projects at the expense of local inhabitants." Julia Legner, executive director at ALQST for human rights, told The Sun: "While the project faces reported delays and downsizing, the human rights concerns remain as pressing as ever. "These include widespread labour rights abuses and uninvestigated worker deaths, and the continued imprisonment of dozens of local inhabitants who peacefully opposed their forced displacement. "At this critical juncture, companies involved—or considering involvement—must carefully assess the situation and take appropriate action to avoid complicity in these ongoing abuses." Many experts have questioned the viability of the proposals, and Michael is sceptical they will ever be realised. "Maybe the idea of The Line and robot cops is a very expensive marketing ploy. But it's worked," he said. "So what if it's going to be scaled back? They've achieved their objective. It's put Saudi Arabia on the map. "Even if NEOM just becomes a small tourist resort with some hotel and villas, that would already be seen as a massive success." Saudi Arabia has invested vast sums in prestige building projects across the country over the past decade. This isn't just limited to NEOM, with plans to build the world's tallest building in Jeddah and numerous stadiums for the 2034 FIFA World Cup also well underway. Top 5 blunders plaguing NEOM project BY Juliana Cruz Lima, Foreign News Reporter Saudi Arabia's NEOM project, despite its ambitious vision, has been criticized for several major blunders that have raised concerns about its feasibility, ethics, and overall execution. Here are the top five major blunders associated with the project: Forced Displacement of Indigenous Communities: One of the most significant controversies surrounding NEOM is the forced displacement of the Huwaitat tribe. This indigenous community, which has lived in the area for centuries, was forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to make way for the development of the mega-city. The Saudi government's crackdown on those who resisted, including the killing of a tribal leader, Abdul Rahim al-Howeiti, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organisations. This blunder not only sparked international outrage but also tainted NEOM's image as a forward-thinking, humane project. Environmental Impact and Sustainability Concerns: NEOM has been marketed as an environmentally sustainable city, but the environmental impact of such a massive development is a major concern. The project's scale—covering over 26,500 square kilometers—poses significant risks to local ecosystems, particularly in the Red Sea, which is home to rich marine biodiversity. Critics argue that the construction of artificial islands and extensive urbanisation could lead to irreversible ecological damage. The enormous water and energy demands required to maintain a green city in the desert also raise questions about the project's sustainability. Economic Viability and Cost Overruns: NEOM is one of the most expensive development projects in history. But there are serious doubts about its economic viability. Critics question whether the project can attract the necessary foreign investment and whether it will generate sufficient returns to justify the enormous expenditure. The economic risks are further compounded by potential cost overruns and delays, which are common in megaprojects of this scale. This financial gamble has led some to worry that NEOM could become a costly white elephant if it fails to meet its ambitious goals. Technological Overreach and Ethical Concerns: NEOM is envisioned as a high-tech city, heavily reliant on artificial intelligence, robotics, and extensive surveillance systems. While this technological ambition is central to NEOM's identity, it also raises significant ethical concerns. The level of surveillance planned for the city could lead to unprecedented control over residents' lives, sparking fears about privacy and civil liberties. The lack of transparency about how AI will be used, coupled with concerns about job displacement, has also led to criticism that NEOM's technological vision may be more dystopian than utopian. Cultural and Social Disconnect: NEOM's vision of a futuristic, liberalized society clashes sharply with Saudi Arabia's deeply conservative cultural norms. The project plans to introduce mixed-gender sports, entertainment events, and other liberal lifestyle elements that are rare in the kingdom. This cultural shift has raised concerns about a potential clash between NEOM's globalised vision and the traditional values of Saudi society. The disconnect between the project's ambitions and the broader cultural context has led to skepticism about whether NEOM can truly integrate into Saudi Arabia's social fabric without causing significant friction. But widespread problems with workers' rights have been reported across these projects, with Human Rights Watch blasting a "blatant failure to protect migrant workers" in the country. "These abuses are enabled by Saudi Arabia's kafala, or labour sponsorship, system that ties the legal status of migrant workers to their respective sponsors," the group says. An Amnesty International spokesperson told The Sun: 'With projects like NEOM Saudi Arabia is trying to present a glitzy, futuristic vision of the country, but this should not come at the expense of human rights. 'Governments supporting investment in the project have a clear obligation to ensure they are not contributing to human rights violations and all investors, and companies involved in NEOM have a responsibility to carry out necessary due diligence checks to identify, prevent and address human rights abuses. "No vision of the future can justify trampling on human rights today.' But Michael believes the country is ultimately "heading in the right direction", noting the lifting of a ban on women driving and reduction in policing of religion. "NEOM is an incredibly interesting business story. It's a big story in how big projects sometimes fail," Michael said. The Saudi embassy in London and NEOM were contacted for comment. 10 10
