The futuristic city-state in the Arabian Desert is funded by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to the tune of $200 billion. However, the project raises questions about its environmental impact.
“It will challenge traditional flat, horizontal cities and create a model for nature conservation and improved human livability.”
This is how Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman described his pet project: Neom. But what is it exactly? And how can it create an environmental crisis of unprecedented proportions?
Neom’s ambitious project
This is the ambitious construction project of Neom, a futuristic city-state in the Arabian desert, without roads, financed by Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
A new video released by the Neom construction site and filmed by FanPage reveals the first buildings in the middle of the Arabian desert.
On the surface, it might seem like a fascinating vision of progress and innovation.
However, beneath the gleaming surface of desert-cracking mirrored walls and artificial moons floating in the sky lurk grave concerns that raise questions about the true impact of this futuristic city.
Three regions for Neom
Neom will consist of three regions. Trojena, the mountain resort, which will host the 2029 Asian Games, Oxagon, the largest floating structure in the world, and The Line, the backbone that crosses Saudi Arabia. A very long intelligent metropolis wedged between two mirrors and made up of three layers, one for pedestrians, and two underground ones, for infrastructure and transport.
There will be no roads, no cars, and no carbon emissions. Indeed, the prince explained that, thanks to a high-speed railway system (512 km/h), in 20 minutes it will be possible to cross all of Neom. The latest promotional video also shows flying taxis, self-driving electric helicopters, presented as the mobility of the future.
Not only that, because the artificial intelligence will monitor each area, and, through predictive functions and data models, will understand how to improve the quality of life.
Environmental concerns
In short, Neom was presented as a utopia without roads, cars, and carbon emissions, with the aim of being a model of nature conservation and human livability.
However, sustainability promises contrast with the reality of its construction. The cost of the project, exceeding $200 billion, raises questions about the real commitment to the environment, since the construction of a city of this scale requires a significant amount of resources and materials, resulting in carbon emissions.
The environmental associations have raised legitimate concerns regarding the ecological impact of the project.
Despite claims of sustainability, massive earth movement, alteration of desert ecosystems, and construction of monumental structures will have a significant impact on the surrounding environment. The promise of an autonomous microclimate raises questions about the feasibility and actual ability to create sustainable environmental conditions, considering the vastness of the surrounding desert.
Greenpeace activists also questioned the project. “You are changing a natural ecosystem and that can have aggressive effects,” says Ahmed El Droubi, regional campaign manager for Greenpeace. The huge cost of building embodied carbon for The Line would outweigh any environmental benefits.
Another worrying aspect is the involvement of local communities. Human rights groups have reported expulsion and abuses against tribes living in the area. The construction of such a monumental city inevitably leads to significant displacement and social impact on indigenous communities, undermining their stability and connection to the territory they have occupied for generations.
Not to mention that the promises of revolutionary transport such as very high-speed trains, flying taxis, and autonomous helicopters seem more science fiction than a viable reality in the short term. These futuristic concepts require significant technological developments and resources, and their implementation could face significant obstacles and delays.
The aspect of biodiversity is another critical point. The construction of a large-scale city could disrupt the natural balance of the desert ecosystem, creating artificial barriers for desert animals’ migration.
This could have negative consequences for the local fauna and flora, further undermining the project’s environmental sustainability.
Ultimately, while Neom may seem like a futuristic dream, it is essential to look beyond the enticing promises and carefully consider its potential negative impacts.
The environment, local communities, and biodiversity deserve greater attention and consideration in decision-making.
Building a futuristic city-state in the Arabian desert should mean more than shiny mirrors and artificial moons; it should reflect a true dedication to sustainability and human and environmental well-being.
Original article published on Money.it Italy 2023-08-09 08:00:00. Original title: Neom: polemiche ambientaliste contro il progetto della città futuristica nel deserto arabo
