CONSTRUCTION has begun an incredible skyscraper set to be the “world’s biggest tower” that can fit 20 Empire State buildings.
It will be at the heart of the “New Murabba” futuristic city that is being planned to give downtown Riyadh a facelift.
The mega structure will be 1,300ft high[/caption]
The outer walls of the structure will fitted with virtual reality technology[/caption]
The megastructure, called The Mukaab is a proposed cubical structure that will stand 1,300ft high and 1,200ft wide when finished – becoming the largest building structure in the world.
It will offer all the modern-day luxuries including fine dining restaurants, retail and residential living.
To take the project to a grand scale, the outer walls of the building will be fitted with virtual reality technology, reflecting amazing scenery for locals to enjoy.
The interior will feature enormous holographic projections powered by Artificial intelligence (AI) that will show viewers different realities, times, and places.
However, many have criticised the plans due to its similarity to the Kaaba in Mecca which is considered Islam‘s holiest shrine.
Plans also include a swirling tower for observation decks and rooftop restaurants to enjoy the panaromoc views of the city.
The country’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the project last year as part of his ambitious Saudi Vision 2030.
But 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.
A dramatic video released by the Saudi authorities offers an incredible glimpse into the glam city where the tower is set to be erected.
The modern district will feature more than 104,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms, luxury retail stores, offices, and space for leisure activities and community facilities.
The audacious plan is expected to add £40billion to non-oil GDP and create 334,000 jobs.
New Murabba Development Company released a statement that said the project was inspired by the modern Najdi architectural style.
The company said: “It seeks to be the world’s first immersive destination offering an experience created by digital and virtual technology with the latest holographic.
“It will be a premium hospitality destination with a multitude of retail, cultural and tourist attractions, along with residential and hotel units, commercial spaces, and recreational facilities.”
The project will be located at the intersection of King Salman and King Khalid roads to the northwest of Riyadh.
‘BUILT OVER BLOOD’
Beneath the glitzy facades of the developments by ego-mad Saudis lie the stories of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed.
Many projects have faced fierce criticism over human rights abuses – including the £400billion flagship project Neom project where tribes were shoved out of their homeland, imprisoned or executed.
For centuries, this indigenous community lived in the area designated for NEOM’s construction.
But what followed was a harsh crackdown on those who resisted leaving their homes.
The most tragic incident involved the killing of Abdul Rahim al-Howeiti, a prominent tribal leader who opposed the forced removals.
His death at the hands of Saudi security forces in 2020 became a stark symbol of the lengths to which the kingdom was willing to go to push the project forward.
One campaigner claimed: “Neom is built on Saudi blood.”
Authorities in the port city of Jeddah also demolished many houses to implement Saudi’s development plans – with thousands of locals evicted illegally.
Nader Hijazi – who decided to remain anonymous – grew up in Aziziyah, one of around 63 communities devastated by the demolitions.
His father’s house was demolished in 2021, and he received less than a month’s notice.
NEOM – costing the Kingdom trillions – promises to transform the nation’s economy, reduce its reliance on oil, and position it as a global powerhouse in innovation.
Dr Frederic Schneider, an independent consultant on post-oil economic transitions in the Gulf region, told The Sun that Vision 2030 and NEOM were seen as overly ambitious and nearly impossible to achieve from the very start.
He said: “When Vision 2030 was first announced there was a lot of talk about that it was hugely ambitious.
“Many people from the start said, ‘Okay, this is not only ambitious, that’s almost impossible’.”
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 scepticism about whether NEOM can truly integrate into Saudi Arabia’s social fabric without causing significant friction.
