Maria had been working as a construction manager for fifteen years when her company pitched her the opportunity of a lifetime: help build the future in Saudi Arabia’s desert. The glossy presentation showed gleaming towers, flying cars, and a linear city stretching across the horizon like something from a sci-fi movie. She almost took the job.
Then this week, Maria saw the satellite images everyone’s been sharing online. The same desert location, photographed from space, showing what’s actually being built. “I’m so glad I stayed home,” she texted her friend. “That looks like the world’s most expensive construction disaster.”
Maria isn’t alone. The internet has been ruthlessly mocking Saudi Arabia’s NEOM megacity project after fresh satellite imagery revealed the stark gap between futuristic promises and desert reality.
When Dreams Crash Into Desert Sand
Remember those jaw-dropping NEOM promotional videos from 2022? The ones showing “The Line” – a 170-kilometer mirrored city home to nine million people, complete with flying taxis and vertical gardens cascading down glass walls? Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman promised a car-free, street-free paradise powered entirely by renewable energy.
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The satellite images tell a different story. High-resolution shots from companies like Maxar show construction scars stretching across Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk region, but they look nothing like the renders that went viral worldwide.
“What we’re seeing is essentially a massive linear excavation project,” explains Dr. Sarah Mitchell, an urban planning expert who has analyzed the imagery. “There are access roads, worker camps, some foundation work, but it’s nowhere near the scale promised.”
Social media users have been sharing brutal before-and-after comparisons. On one side: NEOM’s official renderings showing a gleaming glass city rising from pristine desert. On the other: satellite photos revealing what looks more like an industrial mining operation with scattered construction sites.
The contrast feels almost comical, which explains why the images have been shared millions of times across platforms like Reddit, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter).
The Numbers Behind the Desert Disappointment
The NEOM megacity project represents one of the most ambitious construction undertakings in human history. Here’s what was promised versus what satellite imagery actually shows:
| Promised Feature | Current Reality (Per Satellite Images) |
|---|---|
| 170km linear city | Partial excavation of roughly 20-30km |
| 9 million residents | Construction worker camps visible |
| Mirrored glass facades | Foundation trenches and access roads |
| Flying taxis | Traditional airstrips under construction |
| Zero cars or streets | Multiple vehicle access roads clearly visible |
The project’s financial scope makes these revelations even more striking:
- Total NEOM budget: $2 trillion over multiple decades
- The Line component alone: $500 billion
- Timeline: Originally set for completion by 2030
- Current progress: Less than 20% of promised linear city length visible
- Worker population: Estimated 10,000-15,000 based on housing clusters
“The scale of investment versus visible progress is what’s really shocking people,” notes economist Dr. James Rodriguez, who specializes in megaproject analysis. “When you’re talking about $500 billion for one component, people expect to see more than construction trenches after several years.”
Why the Internet Can’t Stop Roasting NEOM
The online reaction has been swift and merciless. Memes comparing NEOM to abandoned shopping malls, failed theme parks, and “the world’s most expensive ditch” have flooded social media. But the criticism goes deeper than just jokes.
Many users are pointing out the human cost. Amnesty International has documented forced evictions of local Howeitat tribespeople from the construction area, with some reportedly killed for resisting relocation. Meanwhile, the satellite images show worker housing that looks more like temporary camps than permanent settlements.
“It’s not just about the money being wasted,” posted one viral Twitter user. “It’s about the people whose lives were disrupted for this sci-fi fantasy that clearly isn’t happening as advertised.”
Construction industry professionals have been particularly vocal. Several have shared the images alongside commentary about realistic timelines, engineering challenges, and the impossibility of building a 170-kilometer linear city in the middle of a desert within a decade.
“Anyone who’s actually built things in desert conditions could have told them this timeline was impossible,” explains veteran project manager Tom Chen. “The logistics alone of moving materials to build a 170-kilometer structure are mind-boggling.”
What This Means for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
NEOM is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from oil dependence. The kingdom has invested heavily in promoting itself as a future-focused destination for tourism, business, and innovation.
The satellite image controversy threatens that narrative. International investors and potential residents might think twice about committing to a project that appears significantly behind schedule and over-hyped.
The timing is particularly awkward as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 World Cup and continues attracting international events and investments. The gap between NEOM’s marketing materials and ground-truth reality could impact broader confidence in Saudi megaprojects.
However, some analysts urge patience. Megaprojects of this scale typically take decades to complete, and early phases often look unimpressive from above.
“Dubai looked like scattered construction sites for years before it became the city we know today,” points out Middle East development expert Dr. Amira Hassan. “But NEOM’s marketing team probably should have managed expectations better.”
FAQs
What exactly is NEOM supposed to be?
NEOM is a planned $2 trillion megacity in Saudi Arabia’s desert, featuring “The Line” – a 170-kilometer linear city designed to house 9 million people with no cars or streets.
Why are the satellite images going viral?
The images show the reality of construction progress, which looks like basic excavation and worker camps rather than the futuristic city shown in promotional materials.
How much has Saudi Arabia spent on NEOM so far?
While exact figures aren’t public, estimates suggest tens of billions have been invested, with the total budget planned at $2 trillion over multiple decades.
Is NEOM actually being built or is it just hype?
Construction is definitely happening – satellite images show extensive ground preparation, worker housing, and infrastructure development, just not at the scale originally promised.
When is NEOM supposed to be finished?
The original timeline targeted 2030 for major completion, but based on current progress visible in satellite imagery, that seems highly unlikely.
What do experts think about NEOM’s chances of success?
Opinions are mixed – some see it as an impossible fantasy, while others believe megaprojects naturally look unimpressive in early stages but could eventually succeed with enough time and investment.