A criticism on NEOM
NEOM, in Saudi Arabia, is an innovative megacity project led by the Public Investment Fund. It redefines urban living through visionary planning, emphasizing technology, environmental practices, and economic prosperity. Breaking traditional city barriers, NEOM aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in innovation and development.
A closer look at NEOM’s projects shows an intentional reflection of the imaginative landscapes and objects of sci-fi narratives. Numerous articles compare NEOM’s initiatives to sci-fi themes, questioning the influence of NEOM’s architectural vision. Every aspect of its architectural design appears closely linked with the elements of speculative fiction. This connection becomes clear when examining NEOM’s architectural renderings compared to stereotypical sci-fi imagery.
Every aspect of NEOM’s architectural constitution appears complexly connected with the elements of speculative fiction. Zero gravity urbanism, for example, is intimately tied to sci-fi's speculative landscapes. Here, NEOM transcends conventional urban planning, embracing a vision that defies gravity, reminiscent of sci-fi narratives. It is crucial to untie the layers of influence.
Science fiction draws inspiration from the past, using historical context for speculative leaps. Design fiction, in turn, borrows from science fiction, seamlessly blending the conceivable with the fantastical. Within this complex interplay of influences, the term "developer fiction" emerges, representing companies, such as NEOM, applying science fiction as a strategic tool for marketing.
This brings us to an essential question:
Should NEOM dominate discussions within the architectural discourse?
There's no need to debate that NEOM impacts both the environment and human rights. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that, despite the awareness of these negative effects, the implementation of NEOM raises serious concerns regarding environmental consequences and human rights violations.
Exploring NEOM’s deliberate association with science fiction, it is essential to analyze the effectiveness of such a strategy. The use of sci-fi elements in marketing, including architectural renderings, is not merely an aesthetic choice but a calculated approach to capture attention and project an image of futuristic innovation.
Notable aspects of NEOM's intentional alignment with sci-fi landscapes include the resemblance between NEOM’s Epicon and stereotypical sci-fi desert imagery. The deliberate use of these familiar sci-fi motifs raises concerns about true architectural innovation. The association with science fiction may be a strategic move to generate interest, yet it prompts us to question the depth of NEOM's architectural contributions.
The intricate details in the Line’s architectural drawings serve a double function. Firstly, they give the impression of sophistication and abundance, capturing the attention of viewers with visually appealing elements. However, the lack of clarity and specific details in these visuals also raises valid concerns about the actual substance of the projects. This play with how we perceive things through visuals leads us to question whether NEOM is prioritizing selling an attractive image over presenting genuine architectural innovation.
Overwhelming the viewer can be interpreted as a strategy to divert attention from the lack of detailed information about the architectural elements. Analyzing the renderings, the fade to white in the distance, and the strategic use of lighting and reflections create an attractive but potentially misleading representation of what the experience within these structures might be like.
When companies like NEOM strategically use science fiction as a tool for marketing, they intentionally try to hide a lack of architectural value, and thus the success of the project is based on effective storytelling and visual manipulation. This is a form of Developer Fiction that brings a lot of misinformed speculation.
When planning to build something, the connection between being transformative and speculative should be connected, maybe even opposites. The link between transforming and speculating in a construction project is vital.
The more speculative a project is, the less likely it is to be transformative. Conversely, if it is less speculative, there is a higher chance for it to be transformative. We should resist letting it transform our processes if it cannot be built. However, as it becomes real, it can shape and inform our practices. NEOM aims to break this pattern by trying to be transformative beyond their project, even if it will not be built. They believe that more speculation equals more transformation potential.
Even though they acknowledge the concerns about their project's viability, they avoid giving concrete details to the contrary. Instead, they describe their vision as radical and use this as a justification for their intentions. They create a futuristic look, but this raises a concern about current digital design in architecture. Developing visually appealing images that often lack real innovation.
It is important to note that conceptual artists in movies create visuals as a background, often seen for just a few seconds. These visuals aim to capture attention and make the story believable. However, they are not about building a world; they're like the digital set design on a large scale. Using sci-fi visuals for architectural style is not an issue, but NEOM's approach blurs the line between looks and viability.
If NEOM‘s projects are realized, the bright graphics may end up as just decoration on regular buildings. In this case, it is unclear whether the visuals or architecture will influence one another.