Everything we know about Neom, a 'mega-city' project in Saudi Arabia with plans for flying cars and robot dinosaurs
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Sep 21, 2019, 14:46 IST
Neom is a portmanteau of the Greek word neos, meaning "new," and mustaqbal, the Arabic word for "future."
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It will cover 10,230 square miles, and cost Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund at least $500 billion — plus millions in foreign investment if it can get it.
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Neom is part of Vision 2030: an ambitious plan to revolutionize Saudi society, reduce dependence on oil, and make the country a technology hub.
In January 2019, Saudi Arabia set up a company, also called Neom, to be the driving force behind the building effort.
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In 2017, Neom hired three of the world's largest consultancy firms — McKinsey & Co, Boston Consulting, and Oliver Wyman — to advise. Here's what they came up with.
Neom is supposed to draw on "cloud seeding" technology to make artificial clouds which will produce more rainfall than naturally possible in the desert.
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Neom will also have the "leading education system on the planet," with classes taught by holographic teachers, officials say.
Another idea is a 'Jurassic Park'-like island for tourists with robotic dinosaurs.
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At night Neom is supposed to be illuminated by a giant artificial moon.
People will get about using flying taxis, Saudi officials say.
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Neom residents will — according to the plan — be able to choose from more Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than in any other city.
The Red Sea coastline will be altered, according to the plans, with glow-in-the-dark sand added to its beaches.
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Construction work has already started on Neom Bay, phase one of the mega-city.
Some progress has already been made: Neom Airport is nearly finished, and has already been registered as an official international airport.
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Neom used a photo of Singapore's Gardens by the Bay in their marketing materials, suggesting they'll likely draw inspiration from the South Asian city.
The Saudi government is already hosting events at the site of Neom to generate investment and media attention.
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The future of the project is in flux, however. After the murder of Saudi-US journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, reportedly said: “No one will invest for years."