In 2025, a brand-new city will open in the Saudi Arabian desert. Named NEOM, the 26,500-square-mile metropolis is being built from scratch with a colossal investment of $500 billion.

NEOM is being designed as a “global hub” for the 21st century, with the goal of attracting businesses and entrepreneurs from around the world. The city will have its own laws and regulations, separate from the rest of Saudi Arabia, and will be powered entirely by renewable energy.

Construction is already underway, and the first phase of NEOM is expected to be completed by 2025. When finished, the city will be home to more than 1 million people and will feature high-tech industries, luxury hotels, and artificial intelligence-powered homes.

NEOM is just one part of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans to modernize the country and diversify its economy. The city is part of the Saudi government’s Vision 2030, which aims to reduce the kingdom’s dependence on oil and create new jobs in the private sector.

Critics have questioned the wisdom of building a brand-new city in the middle of the desert, but the Saudi government is betting that NEOM will be a success. Only time will tell if this bold experiment will pay off.

Read the article: NEOM: A Futuristic City or just megalomania?

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