New satellite images have unveiled significant advancements at the Hidden Marina, the first residential area of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious $2 trillion Neom megacity project. Positioned as part of the kingdom's transformative Vision 2030 initiative, the Neom megacity aims to transition the nation away from its reliance on oil through technological advancement and tourism.
According to Business Insider, the Hidden Marina is estimated to cost approximately $140 billion and will nestle within The Line, spanning 170 kilometers. This innovative, linear city is envisioned to carve through the Tabuk desert near the Red Sea, originally planned to accommodate over one million residents by 2030. Currently, the Hidden Marina is anticipated to be the only area operational by the deadline.
Denis Hickey, Neom’s Chief Development Officer, described the marina as "a revolutionary, 500-metre-tall residential complex, equipped with hotels, schools, shops, and accommodation for around 200,000 people." Promotional materials delineate plans for a modern waterfront, all encased within a grand, mirrored façade intended to reflect the desert and sea surroundings, creating a stunning visual of contemporary urban design.
While satellite images reveal significant progress at the Hidden Marina, the overall vision for Neom has been quietly curtailed. Reports suggest the project has encountered financial difficulties, prompting adjustments to its ambitious timelines. Plans to house millions now appear to be postponed beyond 2030.
Compounding these challenges, Neom CEO Nadhmi al-Nasr departed his post unexpectedly last year. This has led to increased speculation about potential internal strife within the project’s ranks.
Neom serves as a central component of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the Saudi economy. This national transformation plan has also included luxury ventures, such as the opening of Sindalah, a lavish island resort, and Trojena, which is poised to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
Nonetheless, human rights organizations have raised alarms over the negative aspects of Neom. Reports of forced evictions of the Howeitat tribe, which involved clearing land for the project's expansion, have surfaced, alongside alarming statistics claimed by activists. According to investigations, there have been approximately 21,000 migrant worker deaths since the initiation of Vision 2030, as highlighted by ITV documentaries. Such claims, coupled with accusations of arbitrary arrests and disappearances, paint a troubling picture of the human cost associated with the megacity’s development.
Despite these humanitarian concerns, the ALQST Human Rights group articulated a conflicting perspective, describing Neom as "a world-leading reimagination of sustainable living for the future, based on innovative use of cutting-edge technologies, including ecotourism and winter sports in the desert." They caution, though, indicating the project creates what they term "an aura of Saudi modernity and globalism...to consolidate the personal authority of its author, Mohammed bin Salman," which echoes the tension between progress and repression.
The Saudi Arabia National Council for Occupational Safety and Health has countered these claims of widespread fatalities, calling reports of 21,000 migrant worker deaths "misinformation," reflecting the contentious nature of discussions surrounding human rights within the framework of Saudi advancements.
The contrasting narratives surrounding Neom highlight the complexity of its construction and aspirations. While the satellite images offer glimpses of futuristic architectures, they also cast long shadows across the rights of those affected by the project's aggressive advancement. The Hidden Marina may symbolize what Saudi Arabia hopes to achieve with its Vision 2030, juxtaposed against the backdrop of real-world consequences faced by displaced communities and vulnerable workers.
With progress occurring under the scrutiny of both domestic and international observers, the future of Neom remains uncertain. Questions linger about the project’s actual impact on Saudi Arabia's reputation and the broader geopolitical ramifications of its infrastructural endeavors.