The Master Plan

The desert skyline in the north west of Saudi Arabia is set to be transformed by the construction of a giant, futuristic metropolis. Building has started on Neom, the physical manifestation of a vision that is at the cutting edge of modern technology. Life in the city promises to be a fantastic mix of sustainability and social enterprise, along with the most advanced gadgetry and conveniences. Citizens will be served by driverless cars and have entertainment at their fingertips. Artificial intelligence and automated communication systems will run a city that is built around imagination and ambition. Digital transactions will be easy and accurate, making cash unnecessary. Deliveries will drop from drones in the sky and all manner of information will be accessible to all.

Location

A colossal area of untouched land in the north west of Saudi Arabia will be used for construction. It covers 26500 square kilometers (that’s 6 times larger than Dubai) and includes territory from within the Jordanian and Egyptian borders. The city will form an independent zone with its own regulations.
Neom will effectively be built at the crossroads of the world, in a strategic location amidst one of the planet’s most significant arteries for trade. This promises to fuel massive growth and maintain a vibrant, robust economy. It will also attract professional talent from around the globe, bringing knowledge, expertise and innovation to the city.
It’s a fantastic location, both geographically and climatologically. The terrain is varied and interesting with mountains providing shelter and the Red Sea coast ensuring a cooling sea breeze. This will give the city a comfortable Mediterranean climate, making living conditions idyllic and promoting leisure and entertainment in the outdoors. Professionals who are attracted to the economic hub of Neom will also be able to find fulfilment and happiness in their home lives, ensuring a modern, sustainable society.

Energy

Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of Neom will be in its use of energy. A true smart city, it will utilize electricity for everything from transportation to entertainment and communication. Astonishingly, all of this power is set to be generated from renewable resources. This will make Neom the largest city in the world to be entirely fueled by ‘green’ energy. Enormous fields of solar panels will provide the majority of power, but wind turbines are also going to be used as well. This low-cost regenerative energy will ensure that pollution levels in the city remain incredibly low and air quality pristine. Buildings will remain clean and untainted by emissions and it will be a healthy environment for living.

Entertainment

Neom is set to redefine what urban entertainment really means. Shopping experiences will be interactive and convenient. All manner of sports will be accessible to all and technology will take entertainment to the next level, with virtual reality experiences and games around every corner. Additionally, the world’s largest garden will be constructed in the center of the city for all to enjoy.

The Ultimate Home and Destination

Neom will combine nature and technology on a scale that the world has never seen. The city will form a blueprint for urban development throughout the rest of the world. It’s this proposed mix of cutting edge innovation and abundant natural splendor that will really set Neom apart.

Innovation and technology are transforming the urban environment. The information age is upon us and whole industries, indeed economies, are adapting to reflect this. Within the construction industry, this is particularly evident through the emerging concept and reality of smart cities.

About Smart Cities

Smart cities represent an evolving idea and ideology to create a truly sustainable urban environment. They are not designed to be governed in the traditional ‘top down’ way. Instead, they bring officials and citizens together through the strategic use of technology. This is made possible through the internet.

By gathering data from electronic devices and various forms of information and communication technology, it becomes possible to manage a city more efficiently using the insights that are gained. This approach is both interactive and highly automated. It reduces running costs and helps fuel growth and development in a sustainable way. Communities are empowered and become valuable stakeholders who are able to influence the management of their city through the data they contribute. There is a strong sense of cohesion and as more data is gathered, it becomes increasingly possible to optimize the performance of the city’s infrastructure and services. This filters down into many aspects of a citizen’s everyday life. Transportation systems can be monitored and improved, emergency response times are reduced and all manner of public services can be made more user-friendly.

Neom, a brand new mega-city spanning 10,230 square miles. That’s 33 times the size of New York!

Neom: The world’s most ambitious project

Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of this new vision with the proposed construction of Neom, a brand new mega-city spanning 10,230 square miles. That’s 33 times the size of New York! Neom will encompass all the core values of a state of the art smart city, with a strong focus on economic progress and taking care of its citizens. The city will be an independent zone with its own governmental framework. It promises to attract massive investment and innovation, creating a truly sustainable economic model. Just imagine a highly automated city with focus on a strong economy, built around advanced manufacturing, sustainable energy, biotech, and the best food & entertainment in the world. Thanks to solar and wind power, the city aims to be entirely zero-energy; a self-sufficient metropolis. The ambition and magnitude of Neom has captured the imagination of the world and places Saudi Arabia firmly at the forefront of the smart cities agenda.

Smart Cities and the Construction Industry

The construction industry is adapting faster than ever before as new technology is seemingly around every corner. Smart cities bring these technological advancements together and provide a clear direction for the future. At the center of it all is information and communication technology. It’s now possible for project team members to collaborate more efficiently using smart devices and mobile applications. Management strategies can be effectively implemented remotely and stakeholders are able to access data and maintain an ongoing interest more easily.

Additionally, the sustainability agenda has been gaining momentum for some time now. It’s becoming fully integrated into the processes, materials and overall management of construction projects. It’s reached the heart of the industry, fueling decision making and strategy. The concept of the smart city epitomizes this shift and provides a blueprint for the future of urban environments. The construction industry will need to continue to evolve and adapt accordingly.

The Future

Now more than ever, societies the world over are embracing a new model for growth, both economically and socially. The need for sustainable development is being recognized at the highest level and technological advancements are opening new doors and helping make this vision a reality. Sustainable urban environments such as smart cities are at the heart of this global revolution. It’s an exciting time for the construction industry and nowhere more so than in Saudi Arabia.