Neom history

The Birth of the City of the Future

Unlike most cities in the world, whose history is rooted in deep antiquity, Neom is a unique modern project being created literally "from scratch." Its history began quite recently, but the ambition of the concept has already made it famous worldwide.

Foundation and First Mentions

The official birth date of the project is considered to be October 24, 2017. It was then that Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of the construction of an innovative metropolis at the "Future Investment Initiative" conference in Riyadh. The name "Neom" is composed of two words: the Greek neo (new) and the first letter of the Arabic word mustaqbal (future).

Key Formation Factors

The choice of location and the development concept for the region were determined by several strategic factors:

• Geography and Logistics: Its location in the Tabuk Province on the Red Sea coast ensures access to a route through which approximately 10% of world trade passes.
• Climatic Conditions: The abundance of sun and wind makes this region ideal for the development of 100% renewable energy.
• Economic Strategy: The project is the cornerstone of the Vision 2030 program, aimed at diversifying the country's economy and reducing dependence on oil.

Conceptual and Economic Features

From the earliest planning stages, Neom was positioned not just as a living space, but as a living laboratory for technology and innovation. The main focus is on creating cognitive cities where artificial intelligence and robotics are integrated into everyday life.

Early economic planning was based on revolutionary projects such as The Line (a car-free linear city), the floating industrial hub Oxagon, and the mountain resort Trojena, designed to rethink the principles of urbanism and sustainable tourism.

Major Development Milestones

The history of Neom is being written right now, transforming from a bold idea into real objects. Below is a chronology of key events that have defined the course of this grandiose project.

• October 24, 2017 — Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman officially announces the launch of the Neom project at the "Future Investment Initiative" forum.
• January 2019 — Neom Company, a joint-stock company fully owned by the Public Investment Fund, is established to manage the development of the zone.
• June 2019 — Neom Bay Airport receives its first commercial flight, ensuring initial transport accessibility to the region.
• July 2020 — A partnership is announced to build the world's largest green hydrogen production plant, confirming the course towards sustainability.
• January 10, 2021 — The revolutionary concept of The Line is unveiled — a linear city without cars, roads, or carbon emissions.
• November 2021 — The launch of Oxagon, a floating industrial city and innovative logistics hub, is announced.
• March 2022 — The Trojena project is presented, a mountain tourism destination offering outdoor recreation and skiing.
• July 2022 — Design details for The Line are revealed, showcasing the unique architecture of the "Mirror Line" spanning 170 kilometers.
• October 2022 — Neom (Trojena region) is officially selected as the host for the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
• December 2022 — The luxury island resort Sindalah is introduced, set to become the first showcase of Neom's tourism capabilities.
• October 2023 — The creation of Leyja is announced, an exclusive eco-resort located within a picturesque natural canyon.
• 2024 — The project is in an active construction phase, with large-scale earthworks and infrastructure works proceeding in all key regions.

Future Plans and Targets

If previous years were dedicated to design and announcements, the current and coming decades will be a time of active physical implementation and facility launches. Neom is transitioning from a concept to creating a livable environment. Below are the key future milestones and strategic goals the megaproject strives for.

• Opening of Sindalah Island (2024–2025)
  The luxury island resort of Sindalah is expected to become the first physically accessible Neom facility for tourists. The goal of this stage is to welcome the first guests and yacht owners, demonstrating the reality of the project's ambitions and high service standards to the world.
• Launch of Oxagon Phase 1 (2025)
  By this time, the commissioning of an advanced port terminal and logistics center is planned. Oxagon is expected to begin functioning as a key node in global supply chains, as well as welcoming the first residents to research campuses.
• Completion of Trojena Infrastructure (by 2029)
  The mountain cluster has a strict deadline: by 2029, the infrastructure must be fully ready to host the Asian Winter Games. This includes not only ski slopes and hotels but also the creation of a man-made freshwater lake in the center of the desert.
• First Stage of The Line Settlement (2030)
  A key goal within the Vision 2030 strategy is the completion of the first phase of the linear city. It is planned that by this moment, the modules of the "Mirror Line" will be able to accommodate the first permanent residents and tourists, ensuring the functioning of basic life support systems based on AI.
• Demographic and Tourism Goals (2030)
  By the end of the decade, Neom sets an ambitious task to reach a population of 1 million people (including residents and workers) and to receive up to 5 million tourists annually.
• Full Energy Autonomy
  As facilities are commissioned, Neom intends to realize its main environmental goal: to become the first region of this scale in the world that is 100% powered by energy from renewable sources (sun and wind) and uses water desalination technologies with zero liquid discharge.

Architecture of the Future: A Paradigm Shift

Unlike traditional cities, where architectural layers formed over centuries, Neom is being created instantaneously as an embodiment of post-urbanism. There is no historical development in the conventional sense (Gothic or Baroque). Instead, the city represents a unified architectural manifesto of neo-futurism and high-tech, where the main values become sustainability, technology, and the human being, rather than the automobile.

Urban Planning Concepts and Styles

Neom's development relies on revolutionary principles that have no analogues in the past. The architectural appearance of the region is shaped by several key directions:

• Zero Gravity Urbanism: The concept of vertical layering of city functions (parks, schools, housing, workplaces), implemented in The Line project. This is a rejection of horizontal sprawl in favor of densification and nature preservation.
• Cognitive Architecture: Buildings and spaces saturated with sensors and AI that adapt to the needs of residents in real-time.
• Biophilic Design: Blurring the boundaries between artificial structures and the natural landscape, whether it be desert, sea, or mountains.

Iconic Projects and Architectural Solutions

Each district of Neom represents a separate architectural experiment solving specific tasks:

• The Line (Linear City):

  The quintessence of futurism. This is a monostructure 170 km long, 200 m wide, and 500 m high. The main visual feature is the mirror facade, which reflects the surrounding desert, making the giant city practically invisible in the landscape.

• Oxagon (Floating Industrial Hub):

  An example of next-generation industrial architecture. The city has the shape of an octagon, part of which is located on the water. Modular technologies and sustainable construction principles are applied here to create the world's largest floating structure.

• Trojena (Mountain Cluster):

  A blend of deconstructivism and organic architecture. Buildings cut into the rocks or hang over them. A striking example is The Vault project, a vertical village integrated into the mountain relief, creating its own microclimate.

• Sindalah (Island Luxury):

  Architecture of parametricism. Smooth, fluid forms of buildings and yacht marinas, inspired by the natural lines of corals and Red Sea rocks, create the atmosphere of an exclusive resort.

Distinguished Personalities

Since Neom is a megaproject under construction, the list of people associated with it unites modern visionaries creating its appearance and historical figures whose fate is intertwined with the lands of the Tabuk Province, upon which the city of the future is being built.

Leaders and Creators of the Project (Modernity)

• Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud
  Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of the NEOM Board of Directors
  The main ideologue and initiator of Neom's creation. It was his ambitious Vision 2030 plan that formed the basis of the kingdom's post-oil economy concept, and his personal stewardship ensures the project has global scale and financing.
• Nadhmi Al-Nasr
  Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NEOM
  An experienced executive who previously worked at Saudi Aramco and KAUST. Since 2018, he has led the direct implementation of the strategy, coordinating construction, investment attraction, and technology development across all Neom regions.
• Klaus Kleinfeld
  First CEO of the project, Advisor to the Crown Prince
  Former head of Siemens and Alcoa. He was the first appointed leader of Neom, playing a key role in forming the initial team and establishing ties with the global business community at the project's start.

Historical Figures of the Region (Past Eras)

The territory of Neom covers the ancient lands of Midian, rich in history and legends.

• Thomas Edward Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia)
  British officer, archaeologist, and writer (20th Century)
  Actively operated in the Hejaz region during the Great Arab Revolt (1916–1918). His routes and attacks on the Hejaz Railway passed through the territories of the modern Tabuk Province, where Neom is now being built.
• Prophet Shuaib (Jethro in Biblical tradition)
  Islamic Prophet and Preacher (Ancient World)
  According to religious texts, he was sent to the people of Midian (Midianites). Archaeological sites known as the "Caves of Shuaib" (Magha’er Shuaib) are located near the town of Al-Bad, which falls within the Neom development zone.
• Prophet Musa (Moses)
  Prophet in Abrahamic religions (Ancient World)
  Historical tradition connects the lands of Midian with the period of Moses' exile from Egypt. It is believed that he lived here for many years, married the daughter of Shuaib, and tended flocks in the mountains before returning with his mission to the Pharaoh.