Saudi Arabia’s desert city NEOM will grow its own crops inside Dutch greenhouses
The team at Van Der Hoeven notes that it is possible to source water by desalinating sea water — a strategy which the planners at NEOM claim will be the main source of water for the city.
By Kat Barandy I designboom
greenhouse company: Van Der Hoeven
client: NEOM | @discoverneom
Aug 18, 2023
Excerpt:
NEOM has announced a collaboration with Dutch greenhouse company Van Der Hoeven in an effort to introduce flourishing gardens amidst the arid deserts of Saudi Arabia. As the ‘city of the future’ hopes to become a self-sustaining oasis and home to millions of people, food security has become a priority for the city’s planners. The Dutch horticultural experts have been enlisted to design, build, and operate two test facilities together covering 110,000 square-meters along the city’s outskirts. With this urban farming solution, the team plans to create a controlled climate for efficient and sustainable food production.
NEOM comprises four ‘megacities’ and is perhaps most well-known for its mirrored city THE LINE. Currently under construction, the 170 kilometer-long ‘groundscraper’ is planned to be car-free and powered by 100 percent renewable energy. The recently announced greenhouse facilities will further NEOM’s self-sustaining vision.
