Saudi Prince $500 Billion Desert Dream: Utopia or Dystopian Nightmare?

CONTENTS: 

• Lethal Force for Neom Project
• The Line: Progress Stalled
• Neom Displaces Huwaitat Tribe
• NEOM: A Mega-City of the Future
• Neom’s Pricier Than You Think

Lethal Force for Neom Project

Saudi Prince $500 Billion Desert Dream

Saudi Arabia has granted permission to employ lethal force in the clearing of land for Neom, a $500 billion smart city initiative led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to Colonel Rabih Alenezi, a former intelligence officer, who disclosed the information to the BBC. Alenezi stated that he received orders to relocate villagers to make space for ‘The Line,’ a segment of the Neom project.

During protests against eviction, at least one individual was fatally shot. Despite requests for clarification, both the Saudi government and Neom administration have refrained from providing comments.

The Line: Progress Stalled

The Line, envisioned as a car-free city spanning 200 meters in width and stretching 170 kilometers, seeks to transform urban living. Despite its ambitious goals, progress has been sluggish, with only 2.4 kilometers expected to be finished by 2030, according to a BBC report. While official government figures suggest that over 6,000 individuals have been relocated for the project, human rights organization ALQST estimates a higher number.

Neom Displaces Huwaitat Tribe

BBC-shared satellite images reveal the destruction of three villages — al-Khuraybah, Sharma, and Gayal — to facilitate the construction of Neom. These settlements belonged to the Huwaitat tribe, classified as “rebels” by government declaration, according to Col Alenezi. Alenezi, now residing in the UK due to safety concerns, commented, “Neom represents the core of Mohamed Bin Salman’s vision. This is why he adopted such severe measures against the Huwaitat.”

NEOM, hailed as a groundbreaking urban project, was introduced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a 2022 event in Jeddah. Envisioned as a cosmopolitan hub accommodating over nine million residents, NEOM aims to be the world’s foremost zero-gravity vertical city, boasting no cars, pollution, or carbon emissions. Spanning 26,500 square kilometers along the Aqaba Gulf and Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline, it dwarfs New York City by 33 times in size.

In line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and as part of the privatization of sports clubs project, Al Suqor Club has been renamed @NEOMSportsClub, unveiled a new logo, and named Moaath Alohali as CEO.#NEOM pic.twitter.com/8q4gj4yqXc

— NEOM (@NEOM) December 24, 2023

The name NEOM, blending the Greek prefix “Neo” with the Arabic term for “future,” encapsulates its futuristic vision. Set to be vertically structured, NEOM will feature two colossal buildings, the largest globally, towering up to 1,600 feet and stretching parallelly for 75 miles or 120 kilometers. Described as an architectural marvel, NEOM will form a linear axis from the Neom mountains to the Red Sea once completed.

In 2022, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) disclosed that the crown prince had initiated the building of ten palatial structures within Neom, each exceeding the dimensions of a football field. Project documents examined by WSJ indicated that these estates might command prices reaching up to $400 million apiece, reflecting the luxurious lifestyle envisioned for the city.

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