Khushi Shah – Mumbai Uncensored, 4th May 2022
A futuristic city with no cars or streets, with all residents living within a five-minute walk of essential facilities, a “civilisational revolution that puts humans first’’ was announced by Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia. He unveiled a revolutionary plan to build Communities powered by AI by enabling AI-driven transportation through massive data harnessing.
He wishes to build a future powered by invisible, innovative infrastructure in a 100-mile-long (170 kilometres) mega-city consisting of connected communities called “city modules” linking the Red Sea coast with the north-west of Saudi Arabia.
Bin Salman, also the Chairman of the Neom Company Board of Directors, has manifested his passion for sustainability in this project “Why should we sacrifice nature for the sake of development?” he said. “Why should 7 million people die every year because of pollution? Why should we lose 1 million people every year due to traffic accidents?”
The construction of ‘this ‘green oasis’ has started in the first quarter of 2021. A direct contrast to the polluting metropolitan cities we live in today, this city will be powered by ‘100% clean energy’ where residents can be ferried around by “autonomous mobility solutions” and ultra-high-speed transit.Aimed to be the “largest carbon-free system” in the world, the 16-borough city would lean heavily into solar power, wind farms, and emerging green technology that transforms water into oxygen and hydrogen.
A part of his ambitious plan also includes transforming the country into a technology hub and competing strongly with the silicon valley. According to the ‘Wall Street Journal’ confidential documents mention plans for flying drone taxis, a Jurassic Park style amusement park with robotic dinosaurs, and the highest density of Michelin starred restaurants, where, unlike the rest of the country, there has been a proposal put forth to allow alcohol to be served. The Landscape would be transformed, with cloud seeding machines, glow-in-the dark sand, and a giant artificial moon that would light up every night.
Besides its revolutionary architecture and sustainable cause it will also serve as an economic engine for the kingdom. It aims to contribute 380000 jobs in the future and SAR180 billion which is 48 billion U.S. dollars to the domestic G.D.P. by 2030. It will drive diversification and develop public service sectors, making the Saudi economy less dependent on external countries for oil.
“Neom is an accelerator of human progress and a vision of what a new future might look like,” according to a release. “It will be a destination and a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for exceptional livability, creating thriving businesses, and reinventing environmental conservation.”
