Significant construction work is underway across multiple key regions of NEOM, according to Dennis Hickey, Chief Development Officer of NEOM. Speaking at NEOM House during the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Hickey shared updates on the progress of the $500 billion Saudi mega-project, with a particular focus on its centrepiece, The Line—a revolutionary linear, vertical city designed to redefine urban living. Hickey revealed that NEOM’s development efforts are concentrated on six regions: four tourism destinations—Trojena, Magna, The Islands, and the Nature Reserve—and two urban hubs, The Line and Oxagon. Excavation and site preparation for The Line, a 170-km-long, 500-m-high city capable of housing nine million residents, is progressing rapidly. “We’re already cutting the ground and setting the stage for what will eventually house nine million residents,” Hickey stated. He also underscored the city’s innovative departure from traditional urban planning, with a vertically layered design that spans diverse terrains, including mountains and coastal regions, to maximise sustainability and efficiency. “It’s not a building; it’s a city,” Hickey clarified, detailing the compact, eco-friendly framework that incorporates stacked infrastructure for transportation, public spaces, and residential zones. Currently, construction is focused on the first three modules, which will accommodate 200,000 to 250,000 people. Hickey explained that this phased approach covers NEOM’s three distinct terrains: coastal areas, mountains, and the upper valley. Substantial groundwork has already been completed for The Line, including excavation, foundational preparations, and material mobilisation. Advanced technologies are being deployed to align with the city’s innovative grid system, with the initial phase concentrating on the Marina area. Oxagon: The industrial hub Progress is also evident in Oxagon, NEOM’s futuristic port and industrial city on the southern coastline. Designed as a hub for cutting-edge technologies such as robotics and clean energy, Oxagon is rapidly expanding its port facilities and laying the foundation for sustainable industrial innovation, emphasising advanced manufacturing systems and clean energy integration. Trojena: The mountain destination Construction milestones have also been reached at Trojena, NEOM’s year-round mountain destination for adventure and eco-tourism. Hickey highlighted key features, including ski slopes, hiking trails, and lakes, alongside the development of foundational infrastructure for the resort and accompanying residential areas.   Transportation and sustainability NEOM’s high-speed transportation infrastructure is advancing steadily, with underground transport networks designed to keep surface areas vehicle-free. Sustainability remains a central focus, with 95% of NEOM’s natural landscape preserved and green building practices strictly adhered to throughout the project. Challenges and vision While acknowledging the complexities of building such a futuristic vision from scratch in a remote location, Hickey emphasised that NEOM is a key component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy. This initiative aims to diversify the economy and position the kingdom as a global leader in sustainable innovation and urban development.   For registration as a supplier: https://www.neom.com/en-us/our-business/suppliers   (ICE RIYADH)

Fonte notizia: Construction Week