THE LINE project in Neom city. Photo: Neom As part of Vision 2030, which has been led for several years by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia is promoting a series of huge projects that are unprecedented in their scope.
The projects aim to reduce dependence on oil, attract foreign investment and make the kingdom a leading international destination, with some saying the desire is to emulate the success of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Here are five of the most prominent projects that are in various stages of development and are expected to shape the country's future in the coming decades.
One of the most intriguing projects is "The Cube" - a massive cube-shaped structure planned to be built in the heart of Riyadh. Its height, width, and length are expected to reach about 400 meters on each side, making it one of the largest buildings in the world.
Saudi Arabia's Golden Cube. Photo: The MukaabThe building will combine residential, commercial, cultural, entertainment and hotel centers, alongside virtual and augmented reality technologies that will create advanced digital experiences. The cube will be the heart of the new New Murabba district and will constitute an architectural symbol that is set to become one of the hallmarks of Saudi Arabia, similar to the status currently held by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
After years of delays, Saudi Arabia has resumed work on the Jeddah Tower, which is set to be the tallest building in the world and the first to cross the kilometer mark in height, overtaking the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
Jeddah Tower (Photo: Shutterstock)The project also includes a business, residential and hotel district around the tower, with the aim of making Jeddah a major economic and tourist hub in the Red Sea region. Alongside luxury and innovation, the venture is intended to illustrate Saudi Arabia's ambition to lead the field of construction and urban development on a global level.
The NEOM project is perhaps the most ambitious project in the world today. It is a vast development area in northwestern Saudi Arabia, covering an area larger than entire countries. The highlight is THE LINE, a linear city about 170 kilometers long, without roads and without private vehicles.
Construction work in the city of Neom Photo: NeomThe design is based on rapid public transport, renewable energy and extensive integration of artificial intelligence. The goal is to create a new model of urban life, where all services are within walking distance. Despite the challenges and enormous costs, the project continues to arouse great international interest.
NEOM is also building the TROJENA project, which is considered one of the most surprising. It is a mountain resort that will include ski slopes, artificial lakes, luxury hotels, and sports and entertainment facilities.
The project is located in a mountainous area where temperatures are significantly lower than in the rest of the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has even been awarded the right to host the Asian Winter Games in 2029.
TROJENA is designed to prove that through technology and huge investments, winter tourism can be developed in the heart of the Middle East and offer an extraordinary experience to visitors from all over the world.
Along the Red Sea coast, Saudi Arabia is promoting one of the world's largest tourism projects which includes dozens of islands, luxury resorts, marinas, airports and advanced infrastructure, with an emphasis on sustainability and protecting the marine environment.
Photo: MarriottThe goal is to attract millions of tourists a year and compete with leading luxury destinations such as the Maldives and the Caribbean. Many of the first hotels have already opened, and development is expected to continue in the coming years.
For Saudi Arabia, this is a strategic project that marks the transition from a country associated solely with oil and trade to an international tourist destination on a global scale