The mega-construction project that was supposed to reinvent the future has been scaled back: the NEOM project is deflating
A mega-project in Saudi Arabia is set to be considerably reduced, according to a recent report.
The NEOM project grabbed global attention from the start thanks to its sheer ambition. The centerpiece was The Line, a futuristic linear city - one that is now slated for a major downsizing.
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, had positioned the initiative as a flagship national project. But after years of delays, a sweeping revision is nearing completion, and according to the Financial Times, well‑placed sources say the crown prince now envisions something much smaller than the original bold concept.
Today, NEOM is increasingly seen as a potential hub for data centers, part of the crown prince’s broader push to position Saudi Arabia as a world leader in artificial intelligence. Rather than interpreting these changes as a setback, insiders describe them as an example of the government’s willingness to adapt to reality and recalibrate its ambitions.
A city spanning over 100 miles
Among all the proposed developments, none drew more attention than The Line - a linear city meant to stretch around 105 miles inland from the coast, cutting across desert mountains. Also notable was Trojena, a planned ski resort that had been set to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games. Officials have now confirmed that the resort will be scaled back and will no longer stage the event as originally planned.
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