Driven by Saudi Arabia, NEOM is a new urban project meant to build an all-new city based on the most recent urban innovations, and although it’s still barely a number of blueprints and renders, its developers are set to ensure that their grand ideals are not devoured by the sands.
NEOM, “the vision of what the future could be” is the declaration of intent of this smart city in the making and which will put Saudi Arabia on the smart city map. The NEOM concept forms part of two words; neo, the Greek prefix meaning “new” joined to the fourth letter, which is the abbreviation of the Arabic word “Mustaqbal” meaning “future”.
The project is a kind of two-for-one promotion. On one hand, plans are in place for the NEOM Smart City and, on the other, The Line, a series of linear cities that will cross the Middle Eastern country. Together with technology, sustainability and the environment will play a key role.

powered 100 percent by renewable energy
Solar power, wind energy… and green hydrogen. NEOM will be one of the world’s leading green hydrogen producers, as it is one of the few places in the world where it can be produced competitively and in large quantities. Saudi Arabia’s master plan is to increase non-oil related revenue and attract foreign investment with interesting proposals to stimulate economic growth.
Leader in water production
NEOM will be a regional powerhouse in water production and storage, anchored on water desalination. NEOM’s water distribution network will be completely connected through an advanced Internet of Water infrastructure, delivering high-quality drinking water and recycled water across its network, while removing wastewater. Smart irrigation, leak detection and water quality monitoring will be controlled in real time.
