THE barmy £1 trillion Neom project in Saudi Arabia has revealed its newest addition of a vast hollow skyscraper.
Despite unveiling new ultra-luxurious hotels, restaurants and yacht marinas on the daily, the Neom project has been exposed for the deaths of over 21,000 workers since it began.
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The newly revealed luxury development plans on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, dubbed Zardun, is made up of four buildings and looks to provide a so-called “peaceful” retreat for guests.
Despite its pledge to bring tranquillity, some visitors may think this is hard to find knowing it could have been the place where thousands of workers died under dangerous and inhumane working conditions.
Zardun spans a whopping four square kilometres, set on a restored semi-desert landscape.
It sports angular sections within the middle of the skyscraper which is said to draw influence from the changing natural landscape around it.
Among the hollow skyscraper are three other architectural compounds which will all total 100 rooms and suites for big spenders as well as an experience centre.
And for guests it will offer trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing, among various other sports and leisure.
But the dark underbelly of the location imagines bloodshed and slaves.
Zardun is part of Magna – one of Neom’s mega regions.
Other regions included in the heavily criticised project include Trojena, The Line, Sindalah and Oxagon.
Despite human life not seeming to be considered, the plans say they have so-called “environmental stewardship” in mind.
It is said to accommodate various habitats and make it easier to reintroduce native plants, animals and tree species to the landscape.
The Saudi government’s focus on the luxury market is said to be an attempt to distinguish itself from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
But with serious allegations of missed payments, illegal working hours and a number of clear human rights violations made, the future success of the mega-project is unclear.
21,000 worker deaths have occurred in the years since the Crown Prince launched the project, shocking statistics claim.
Staff have complained of feeling like “trapped slaves” and “beggars” in the country.
Serious allegations of missed payments, working illegal hours and a number of clear human rights violations have all been made.
The first part of Saudia Arabia’s £1 trillion Neom project was complete in October – with a luxurious Red Sea resort opening its doors to the world’s elite.
Terrified workers and the heartbroken family members of workers who have died since moving to Saudi have revealed the horrors they’ve faced in recent years in ITV’s latest expose.
Dubbed “Kingdom Uncovered: Inside Saudi Arabia” the documentary speaks on the deadly issues experienced firsthand for many.
It goes inside the illegal practices and terrible violations many say are being committed each day under the guise of constructing some of the world’s priciest building projects.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been at the forefront of trying to develop the oil state into a global tourism hub.
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He has splashed trillions to create his Saudi Vision 2030 project which features complexes sch as the flagship NEOM which includes fantasy ideas such as The Line.
Despite the luxury plans for the ambitious builds human rights groups have expressed many concerns over the massive construction plans.
With fears that migrant labour will be exploited and many locals would be displaced.
Saudi Arabia has also been hit with serious allegations claiming a significant number of migrants working in construction have disappeared.
Emerging reports allege that as many as 100,000 migrant workers have gone missing during the construction of Neom.
One worker revealed in the documentary that he is often made to work 16-hour days helping to build a high-speed train tunnel for The Line.
Over just one seven-day week the worker says he can do upwards of 84 hours.
Saudi law strictly states that no one should do more than 60 hours a week.
Top 5 blunders plaguing NEOM project
BY Juliana Cruz Lima, Foreign News Reporter
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project, despite its ambitious vision, has been criticized for several major blunders that have raised concerns about its feasibility, ethics, and overall execution.
Here are the top five major blunders associated with the project:
Forced Displacement of Indigenous Communities: One of the most significant controversies surrounding NEOM is the forced displacement of the Huwaitat tribe.
This indigenous community, which has lived in the area for centuries, was forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to make way for the development of the mega-city.
The Saudi government’s crackdown on those who resisted, including the killing of a tribal leader, Abdul Rahim al-Howeiti, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organisations.
This blunder not only sparked international outrage but also tainted NEOM’s image as a forward-thinking, humane project.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability Concerns: NEOM has been marketed as an environmentally sustainable city, but the environmental impact of such a massive development is a major concern.
The project’s scale—covering over 26,500 square kilometers—poses significant risks to local ecosystems, particularly in the Red Sea, which is home to rich marine biodiversity.
Critics argue that the construction of artificial islands and extensive urbanisation could lead to irreversible ecological damage.
The enormous water and energy demands required to maintain a green city in the desert also raise questions about the project’s sustainability.
Economic Viability and Cost Overruns: NEOM is one of the most expensive development projects in history.
But there are serious doubts about its economic viability. Critics question whether the project can attract the necessary foreign investment and whether it will generate sufficient returns to justify the enormous expenditure.
The economic risks are further compounded by potential cost overruns and delays, which are common in megaprojects of this scale.
This financial gamble has led some to worry that NEOM could become a costly white elephant if it fails to meet its ambitious goals.
Technological Overreach and Ethical Concerns: NEOM is envisioned as a high-tech city, heavily reliant on artificial intelligence, robotics, and extensive surveillance systems.
While this technological ambition is central to NEOM’s identity, it also raises significant ethical concerns. The level of surveillance planned for the city could lead to unprecedented control over residents’ lives, sparking fears about privacy and civil liberties.
The lack of transparency about how AI will be used, coupled with concerns about job displacement, has also led to criticism that NEOM’s technological vision may be more dystopian than utopian.
Cultural and Social Disconnect: NEOM’s vision of a futuristic, liberalized society clashes sharply with Saudi Arabia’s deeply conservative cultural norms.
The project plans to introduce mixed-gender sports, entertainment events, and other liberal lifestyle elements that are rare in the kingdom.
This cultural shift has raised concerns about a potential clash between NEOM’s globalised vision and the traditional values of Saudi society.
The disconnect between the project’s ambitions and the broader cultural context has led to skepticism about whether NEOM can truly integrate into Saudi Arabia’s social fabric without causing significant friction.
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