The Failed Experiment of Linear Cities: Insights from Saudi Arabia

The Failed Experiment of Linear Cities: Insights from Saudi Arabia

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Neum Mega Project: A Closer Look
3. The Saudi 2030 Project and its Goals
4. The Desperation for Foreign Investment
5. The Challenges Faced by Saudi Arabia
6. The Overemphasis on Mega Projects
7. The Unsustainability of Oil Dependency
8. The Need for Productive Projects
9. The Barrier of Saudi Arabia's Elite
10. The Dystopian Reality of Mega Projects
11. The History of Failed Mega Projects in Saudi Arabia
12. The Difficulty of Attracting Foreign Investors
13. The Country's Lack of Significant Social Changes
14. The Irony of Human Rights Violations
15. The Comparison with UAE's Approach
16. The Unrealistic Goal of Attracting Tourists
17. The Potential for a Knowledge-Based Economy
18. Conclusion

The Neum Mega Project: A Costly and Questionable Endeavor

Saudi Arabia, a country known for its wealth induced by oil reserves, is facing an imminent economic crisis. As the global demand for petroleum decreases and the development of alternative energy sources gains Momentum, Saudi Arabia is feeling the pressure to find a new source of revenue. To tackle this challenge, the country has embarked on a series of ambitious mega projects, with the Neum Mega Project being one of them. However, the feasibility and sustainability of such projects are being called into question.

The Neum Mega Project, also referred to as the Linear City, is a colossal undertaking in the heart of the Saudi Arabian desert. Spanning 170 kilometers, the city aims to embody cutting-edge technology, featuring nature reserves and an efficient transportation system. With a price tag of half a trillion dollars, the project is a significant investment for the Saudi government. The intention behind these mega projects is to attract foreign investment and tourism, thereby contributing to economic growth and development.

While the idea of a futuristic city may seem appealing, the execution of such a project is riddled with challenges. One of the primary hurdles is the lack of technical feasibility. The Neum Mega Project relies on untested technologies that have yet to be implemented on a massive Scale. The city's urban design is unique and requires innovative solutions for its functionality. With limited evidence of successful implementation, the project's claims of being cutting-edge are met with skepticism.

Moreover, the environmental impact of the Neum Mega Project cannot be ignored. The construction of the linear city will Consume an enormous amount of energy and resources. The carbon dioxide emissions alone are estimated to be equivalent to four years of the UK's emissions. The project's claim of being carbon neutral seems contradictory considering the massive amount of carbon dioxide generated during its development.

Another concern is the track Record of Saudi Arabia and its neighboring countries when it comes to completing large-scale infrastructure projects. numerous projects in the Gulf region have been abandoned or left unfinished due to various reasons such as lack of communication and constant cost overruns. This lack of reliability and completion history raises doubts about the success of the Neum Mega Project.

However, the challenges faced by Saudi Arabia go beyond technical and environmental aspects. The country's societal and legal framework also hinders its ability to attract foreign investors. Despite recent cosmetic changes, such as allowing women to drive and relaxing gender segregation in public spaces, Saudi Arabia still operates under a strict Sharia legal system. This, coupled with ongoing human rights violations, raises concerns about the country's commitment to true social progress and international standards.

In comparison to neighboring countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia falls short in terms of political stability, infrastructure development, and business-friendly policies. The UAE, for instance, has embraced a more tolerant approach towards religions and foreign investors, allowing full ownership of companies in free trade zones. These factors have contributed to the UAE's success in attracting tourism, talent, and foreign investment.

In conclusion, while the Saudi government's ambition to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment is commendable, the emphasis on flashy mega projects like Neum raises valid concerns. The feasibility, sustainability, and potential for completion of such projects are questionable, and the country's socio-political climate poses additional challenges. Rather than focusing solely on these grandiose endeavors, Saudi Arabia should prioritize smaller, more practical projects that can drive Meaningful economic growth and bring lasting positive changes to the country. Only then can it truly transform into a knowledge-based economy and achieve its desired goals.