Neom seems crazy, but Saudi Arabia is not far behind and begins building a cube that could contain 20 Empire State Buildings

News JVTech Neom seems crazy, but Saudi Arabia is not far behind and begins building a cube that could contain 20 Empire State Buildings

Mukaab: a city in a cube

Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of its crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, is radically transforming its urban landscape. The kingdom, rich in oil but eager to diversify its economy, has launched a series of architectural megaprojects that defy imagination. Among them, Mukaab – a cube of 400 x 400 meters in which 20 buildings like the Empire State Building fit – stands out as a symbol of this excessive ambition.

This gigantic building, which will take place in the heart of New Murabbaa new urban district of 19 square kilometers, is much more than just a skyscraper. Designed to accommodate a population of several thousand inhabitants, Mukaab will be a real city in its own right.. It will house thousands of homes, commercial spaces, hotels, schools, hospitals and even green spaces. At the heart of this cube, a spiral tower will crown the whole, offering panoramic views of the region.

The goal is to create a self-sustaining city, where everything is within reach. Residents will be able to work, play, shop and stay without ever leaving the complex. The designers have imagined an efficient internal transport system, as well as efficient energy and environmental infrastructures.

An ambition that questions

While Mukaab’s computer-generated images are impressive, this project raises many questions. First of all, its cost is astronomical. The construction of such megaprojects requires colossal investments, which could be used for other projects, such as the fight against poverty or the preservation of the environment.

Then, the environmental impact of these constructions is considerable. Material extraction, energy consumption and waste production generate significant greenhouse gas emissions. However, Saudi Arabia is one of the main oil producers in the world, and its energy transition is slow.

Finally, these projects raise the question of cultural identity. By building futuristic and ultra-modern cities, Saudi Arabia risks lose part of its heritage and tradition.

The race for pharaonic projects

Mukaab is just one example of Saudi Arabia’s excessive ambition. The Lineanother pharaonic project which plans the construction of a linear city 170 kilometers long, is just as spectacular. These megaprojects are part of Vision 2030, a plan to diversify the Saudi economy and reduce its dependence on oil. These architectural projects demonstrate the kingdom’s desire to position itself as a major player in 21st century architecture. They attract attention from around the world and arouse both admiration and controversy.