Saudi Arabia’s NEOM: The Future of Smart Cities?

The NEOM project of Saudi Arabia is redefining the idea of smart cities. Positioned as a futuristic, high-tech urban center, NEOM seeks to blend advanced technologies, sustainable lifestyle, and economic diversification to form a city unlike any other on earth. 

To see if it is truly the future of smart cities or just an ambitious dream with unknown results, in this post we shall evaluate NEOM's vision, technical developments, sustainability goals, challenges, and impacts on the future of urban living.

NEOM:

Spread over 26,500 square kilometers in northwest Saudi Arabia, NEOM is an innovative city under development much larger than many countries. Run by the Red Sea, the structure was designed to be a global hub for creative activity, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence as well as sustainable living.

This involves several components of the project: Thus, a more creative output is created by this.

a) The Line: A Linear City of 170 km 

Wide Well-Separated zero vehicle city of 170 miles. By foot-only, fast transit links every area of a city within about 20 minutes.

Assets, services, and infrastructure are managed by artificial intelligence and automated systems.

b) Oaxagon 

Is the largest floating industrial complex in the world. As an advanced technology industrial megalopolis floating over the water. The soul of the company is automated manufacturing technology along with robotics and renewable energy.

Pulse intends to develop as a main trading and logistics hub around the world. 

c) Trojena - The Resort of Mountains in the Future.

"High-elevation ski area including cultural reserves, exquisite hotels, and adventure paradigms."

This region will be the first ever in the history of the Middle East to hold the Asian Winter Games.

d) Sindalah: Island for the Elite Holiday.

It is a luxury Mediterranean island created for visitors who enjoy resort living, yachts, and high-end entertainment venues.

Neoism's Smart City Technologies:

Most likely the world's most modern city: NEOM doesn't want to look like any other city. This is just a small example of many:

a) AI and Automation.

• Energy, transport, and public services are first run from an artificial intelligence system.

• People would be flown, driven, or have automated means for delivery, safety, and movement.

b) Renewable Energies and Sustainability.

• NEOM is completely powered by solar, wind, and hydrogen energies, being a net-zero city.

• Support sectors via the generation of green hydrogen instead of fossil fuels.

c) Smart Connectivity as well as Digital Infrastructure

• A 5G-powered digital network that seamlessly integrates smart technology with ultra-fast broadband connectivity, biometric identity, and artificial services.

•  AI-managed agriculture and vertical farming to locally generate sustainable food.

Conservationism & Environmental Targets

NEOM is intended with a priority on sustainability to support international climate action goals.

• Crucial sustainable components:

• Car-Free and Walkable Design: Helps to reduce transportation-related carbon emissions.

• 100% Renewable Energy: A green-powered town looks for itself.

• Protecting Biodiversity throughout the Red Sea: Wildlife & Marine Conservation.

• Circular Economy & Recycling would benefit from attention to waste management and water conservation.

By including these green undertakings, NEOM plans to set an example for future environmentally friendly city projects across the world.

Impact on Society and businesses

Beyond simply a modern metropolis, NEOM is a significant driver of the economic diversification of Saudi Arabia.

1. Monetary benefits:

• Projected to create 380,000 jobs across several technological businesses.

• Saudi Arabia's GDP is estimated to increase by $48 billion by 2030.

• Looks to attract biotech, artificial intelligence, robotics, travel, and global investor talent.

Societal and cultural transformations:

Apart from the one now in place in Saudi Arabia, NEOM will operate under a different legal regime that encourages openness of mind regarding other cultures, world cooperation, and creativity.

• Created for expatriates, start-ups, and research centers.

• NEOM could revolutionize Middle East city life by promoting a technology-driven and all-encompassing society.

Negatives and criticisms.

Notwithstanding its grand vision, NEOM has its own set of detractors and difficulties.

a) Opportunity and funds

• Given their budget of $500 billion, many ask whether Saudi Arabia can fund the initiative as intended.

• Big infrastructure developments can go over budget or drag behind schedule.

b) Concern for the environment

• The development of a vast desert metropolis brings worries about water consumption and habitat loss.

• Critics argue that though NEOM promotes sustainability, creating a megacity from the ground up could result in environmental effects.

c) Human rights and problems of migration.

• Reports say the Howeitat tribe has had to relocate as well as many other native communities in response to NEOM's growth.

• This advance raises ethical questions about land grabbing and human rights violations.

d) Sketching businesses and individuals

1. Whether NEOM is a trial city, will companies and people move there?

• If NEOM can draw outside companies and capital, it will only be successful.

These worries cast serious doubts on whether Neom could achieve its ambitious goal.

2. Intelligent cities of the future will be Neom?

Neural Networks Optimization Modeling presents a daring vision of the future where artificial intelligence, automation, and sustainability change urban life grounds NEOM could be the future of wise communities:

• An automated, clever city with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and robotics.

• In sustainable management, trailblazing environmentally friendly solutions and renewable energy projects are included.

•  Drawing worldwide technology corporations and investors: economic center for creativeness.

• City building for the future rather than the past; new urban development strategy.

But NEOM's success still relies on adoption, financing, and execution. Once Saudi Arabia overcomes the challenges, NEOM can introduce a new international smart cities standard.

Result.

NEOM is one of the most daring civic projects in history. Success could reset sustainability, transform the worldwide opinion of Saudi Arabia, and completely alter the design of intelligent cities.

Issues of practicality, potential environmental consequences, and human rights still have to be dealt with. Saudi Arabia's astute application of policies, technology, and resources will decide whether NEOM turns out to be a model city of the future or a warning.

NEOM is a daring urban innovation project that will get the world's eye.