Saudi Arabia’s futuristic mega-city shifts focus from scale to strategy.
When the NEOM project was first announced, it captured global attention with its bold promise to redefine how cities are built. At the heart of this vision was The Line, a futuristic linear city stretching across the desert, designed to run entirely on clean energy and advanced technology. Today, that vision is being reshaped.
According to a recent Financial Times report, the ambitious plan is undergoing major downsizing. Sources familiar with the matter say the revised version of NEOM is expected to be significantly smaller than the original proposal. The review process, which has taken years, is now close to completion.
The project was strongly championed by Mohammed bin Salman as a flagship development meant to signal a new era for Saudi Arabia. However, delays, high costs, and practical challenges have led to a reassessment of what can realistically be delivered.
Rather than being seen as a failure, people close to the project describe the shift as a strategic reset. NEOM is now increasingly viewed as a future hub for data centers, aligning with the country’s broader ambitions in artificial intelligence and advanced digital infrastructure. This change reflects a growing focus on areas that can deliver faster economic value and global relevance.
By scaling back its physical footprint and sharpening its priorities, NEOM is evolving from a headline-grabbing concept into a more focused technology-driven development. The revised approach highlights a willingness to adapt and adjust expectations as conditions change.
As the project enters its next phase, NEOM remains a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s desire to innovate, even if the path forward looks more measured than the original vision. The transformation underscores a broader lesson in large-scale urban development: ambition must often meet practicality to succeed.
