The Oxygon
Image Source: Business Insider
Image Source: Business InsiderThis is a rendering of what is to be the newest addition to the crazy building sites that keep on appearing around Saudi Arabia. This is going to be an eight-sided brand new city attached to the country and in to the gorgeous Red Sea. yep, a whole new city is being built.
It's Going To Float On The Sea
Image Source: Middle East Eye
Image Source: Middle East EyeAs mentioned before, this new city is going to be half built on the continent and the other half is going to be floating on the Red Sea! As the name suggests this eight-sided city will have 5 of its points floating on the ocean. Not for those afraid of spending too much time in and around the water then.
It'll Be The World's Largest Floating Structure
Image Source: Dezeen
Image Source: DezeenDespite only half of the Oxagon being developed upon the Red Sea, it will still be the largest floating structure in the world to be developed by man. Part of making something the 'largest' is definitely going to be a ploy in order to make it somewhat of a tourist destination alongside its main role as a port.
It's One Of Ten Regions Being Developed
Image Source: Reddit
Image Source: RedditThe Oxagon is actually just one of ten regions being developed for NEOM. NEOM was envisioned by His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman as becoming the city of the future. This City will be made up of ten regions spanning mountains, deserts and in this case the Red Sea.
It'll Be A Port City
Image Source: NEOM
Image Source: NEOMNot only will this be the world's largest floating structure but it will also be a port and logistics hub for the Neom Development group. As Neom is 10 different regions being developed, the Oxagon will be used to take advantage of shipping through the Suez Canal. I'm sure it'll bring in a lot of money.
It's To Be Part Of A Renewable Energy Plan
Image Source: BBC
Image Source: BBCAs discussed, the Oxagon will be used as a port hub for the Neom Development. This development is being developed as a renewable energy-powered region as a part of Saudi Arabia's commitment to begin moving away from oil and start relying on different ways to boost its economy.
It's Going To Be 33 Times The Size Of NYC
Image Source: Dezeen
Image Source: DezeenIt is absolutely mind-boggling when you put this new development to scale. A press release by the Saudi officials overseeing the development announced that by completion the site would be over 33 times the size of New York City, one of the most popular and desired cities to live in worldwide.
It's Going To Cost A Bomb
Image Source: Arabian Business
Image Source: Arabian BusinessAlthough the building plan hasn't been officially released, and neither has the predicted cost, one thing that's for sure is that this project is going to cost billions of dollars. This is emphasised by the fact that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is the chairman of both NEOM and the Public Investment Fund.
It'll Help The World
Image Source: Gulf Today
Image Source: Gulf TodayNot only will the Oxagon be used to contribute to the regional trade and commerce of Saudi Arabia, it is also believed to be a new focal point for global commerce as well. The Crown Prince has suggested that the Oxagon could be of benefit to the trade of the entire globe saving money for many countries.
The Line
Image Source: NEOM
Another part of the NEOM development that has recently began in Saudi Arabia is The Line. This is a crazy development that actually recently began being built. This has been titled the future of urban living supposedly offering an unprecedented living experience for the people living there.
The City Of The Future
Image Source: NEOM
Image Source: NEOMThe Line as mentioned before is meant to be something never seen before and that's saying something! The City will be just 200 meters wide (JUST 2 100M RACES WIDE!) and also 170 Km long! That is absolutely insane, but they believe it will accommodate 9 million people and all facilities will be available within 5 minutes of wherever you are!
There'll Be No Cars On The Line
Image Source: MIT Technology Review
Image Source: MIT Technology ReviewAt the bottom of this satellite image you can see the beginning of the line being developed and you might wonder how on earth people will be able to travel within this megacity. There will be no room for cars and instead people will travel via an extremely high speed rail system from end to end.
They Hope It'll Grow The Economy
Image Source: Dezeen
Not only do they hope that the Oxagon and NEOM developments will widen the trade flows, they generally hope that this will be a catalyst for economic growth and diversity which also allows them to get closer to their ambitions as part of their vision 2030 programme.
There'll Be A Lot Of Water
Image Source: NEOM
Image Source: NEOMOkay, this seems a little bit obvious, but within the floating city there will be even more squares of water that are connected by small canals. These squares and it's near distance to the Red Sea will allow the work of a 'revolutionary' oceanographic research centre and a cruise terminal.
No One Knows What To Expect
Image Source: NEOM
Image Source: NEOMWithout any development actually starting it's hard for anyone to truly understand what this new city is going to be like, although the information we've been given suggest that it's going to be nothing like we've seen before. I suppose we have to just wait and see, although most of us will never see it.
It's Gonna Be Redefining
Image Source: Tactical Report
Image Source: Tactical ReportAs we have already discussed, this is really going to be something brand new for all of our eyes. Not only is it going to be a great economic boost but it will also be a defining moment for the world's approach to the form of industrial development. Maybe we'll see some more shapes in the sea soon.
An Early Plan
Image Source: The National
Image Source: The NationalThis was one of the original plans for the Oxagon, and you can see that the original plan was a lot more scaled down than the final project. Instead of all the port cities and building it seems like it was intended to be more of an island city; it looks a little more touristy here!
It's Going To Fill An Empty Space
Image Source: Bloomberg.com
Image Source: Bloomberg.comAs Saudi Arabia is currently going through it's big industrial boom, there is a lot of empty space being filled within the country. This whole NEOM development, all of the different individual builds are another step to Saudi Arabia becoming a fully fledged industrial powerhouse.
There's Going To Be Loads Of Jobs
Image Source: NEOM
Image Source: NEOMOne of the best parts about this Saudi industrial evolution is the wide array of jobs that are going to be created to design, develop and build all these crazy things. Not only will it be beneficial for jobs in the country, but a number of designers have all made different options for the Crown Prince to decide from.
It Has Been Controversial
Image Source: The National
Image Source: The NationalUnsurprisingly, as with a lot of the big developments in Saudi Arabia there has been some controversy surrounding the ongoings. One Human Rights organisation claimed that some members of a local tribe that criticised the new developments had been sentenced to death.
People Are Worried About The Human Rights
Image Source: Construction Week Online
Image Source: Construction Week OnlineWe seen during the build up to the Soccer World Cup in Qatar that a lot of human rights issues arose around the stadium building. And Amnesty are just as worried about the NEOM developments and thinks the architecture studios should be second guessing their decision to be a part of it.
How Long Will This All Take?
Image Source: ZAWYA
Image Source: ZAWYAAlthough the Crown Prince is hoping for the NEOM developments to help Saudi Arabia reach their 2030 goal of sustainability, it is very unlikely that these buildings will be finished in time. It's actually more likely that we'll be seeing these buildings in a decade or so instead.
Is It Sustainable?
Image Source: Build in Digital
Image Source: Build in DigitalDespite the development team claiming that NEOM would be sustainable it has been heavily criticised. Many people believe it is impossible for something to be sustainable when it is housing 9 million people in such a way. This would defy the claims that the whole development was based on.
It'll Keep The Crown Prince In Favour
Image Source: Al Arabiya
Image Source: Al ArabiyaThe Crown Prince is (mostly) a popular figure within Saudi Arabia, but he isn't seen as favourably by some leaders around the world. Despite his commitment to developing his country, a number of people believe the country would be better off with a different leader. Good luck with that.
An Offshore Extreme Park?
Image Source: Offshore Energy
Image Source: Offshore EnergyThis is quite crazy to discuss, but another development as part of NEOM is this offshore extreme theme park that is being developed a top an old oil rig. I mean, how insane do you have to be for this to be what comes in to your mind when you're thinking of tourist increasing ideas.
It's Going To Be Huge
Image Source: Gizmodo
Image Source: GizmodoThe Rig, as it has been titled, is going to be over 150,000 sqm and home to a wide range of extreme sports, activities and even a helipad. Don't worry though because you'll be able to book in at the hotel amidst your bungee jumping, skydiving and UNDERSEA DINING!
A Non-Profit City
Image Source: Arabian Business
Image Source: Arabian BusinessOne other segment of the NEOM developments is the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Non-Profit City. This will be a large area dedicated to be a model for the future of non-profit industries not just for Saudi Arabia but as a model for the entire globe. He's named it after himself though!
It's Supposed To Help The Youth
Image Source: AS+P
Image Source: AS+PThe idea of this new city is to contribute to the supporting of innovation and entrepreneurship of the Saudi Arabian youth. They also hope that this will allow for future leaders to gain some great opportunities and train themselves to develop their own futures.
The Port Of Oxagon Is Ready
Image Source: Reddit
Image Source: RedditThe port section of Oxagon is actually ready and is the first section of the NEOM development that has opened for business. Oxagon itself actually has a long way to go but the primary seaport of entry to the north of Saudi Arabia is now officially open for business. The first of many openings.
The Perfect Climate
Image Source: Arab News
Image Source: Arab NewsSupposedly, The Line has been developed in an area that has been proven to have 'the perfect climate' all-year-round. I don't exactly know how this can be true as the weather can be insanely unpredictable, especially in the middle east. But if you want perfect weather then you know where to go.