According to the Financial Times, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s flagship Vision 2030 development is set to be significantly downscaled and redesigned after years of delays, soaring costs, and internal reviews. Once billed as a futuristic symbol of a post-oil Saudi economy, the project’s recalibration highlights the growing gap between mega-ambition and economic reality—and raises fresh questions about the future of state-led megaprojects.
Financial Times – MediaBites – January 26, 2026
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s flagship megaproject, Neom, is entering a new chapter—one marked not by spectacle, but by sober reassessment. After years of delays, cost overruns, and unwavering hype, the massive development on the Red Sea coast is set to be significantly downscaled and redesigned, according to the Financial Times.
Neom was unveiled as nothing less than a reinvention of urban living: a futuristic city stretching along Saudi Arabia’s coastline, conceptualized to showcase a post-oil economy driven by technology, tourism and sustainable living. At its center was The Line, an audacious linear city envisioned to run 170 kilometers without cars or streets, housing millions in mirrored skyscrapers engineered for a new era.
But reality, it seems, has proved a far harsher critic than any visionary marketing campaign.
Ambition Meets Economics
The original Neom concept was as bold as it was expensive. Projects of this scale rarely adhere to initial timelines or budgets; yet Neom’s challenges were exceptional even by megaproject standards. Years of construction have been punctuated by rising expenses, repeated delays and growing skepticism among global investors. The Financial Times reports that the review now underway anticipates a far smaller and more pragmatic version of the development, one that prioritizes realistic deliverables over unbounded dreams.
This shift is no accident: Saudi Arabia is facing a period of tighter financial conditions after a decade of expansive public spending. With subdued oil prices and simultaneous commitments—such as preparing for the 2030 World Expo and the 2034 FIFA World Cup—the kingdom can no longer afford to treat Neom as untouchable.
The Line: From Icon to Afterthought
The Line was more than a component of Neom; it was the symbol of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s transformative optimism. Yet even that centerpiece now faces a radical redesign. According to those briefed on the matter, architects are already working on a concept that leverages existing infrastructure rather than building a continuous linear city from scratch.
Other subprojects like Trojena, the planned mountain resort that was meant to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, have also been downsized and reshaped—or dropped from their original ambitions altogether.
This moment represents a broader pivot: from visionary manifesto to pragmatic execution plan.
Why Redesign Matters
To many outside observers, scaling back Neom might read as failure. But such a view misunderstands the nature of visionary projects in the real world. Bold visions set direction, but they must be tempered by economics, engineering realities and changing global conditions.
The recalibration of Neom is, in some ways, a maturation. Saudi officials appear willing to reconsider aspects of a project that has, at times, felt driven more by symbolism than feasibility. As the Financial Times notes, the redesign does not signal abandonment, but a “more modest project … that could utilize existing infrastructure built over the past few years.”
In practical terms, this could mean refocusing on sectors with tangible economic payoff—such as transforming parts of Neom into a hub for data centers and AI development. This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader push to pivot away from oil dependence toward knowledge and technology sectors.
The Test of Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has always been about transformation—from oil dependency to diversified growth, from conservatism to cautious modernization. Neom was meant to be its crown jewel. If it now becomes a more streamlined, deliverable project, it may yet fulfill that role—albeit on more realistic terms.
Execution is as important—if not more so—than inspiration. A vision that cannot be delivered risks undermining confidence in the broader reform agenda. The Neom redesign underscores the importance of adaptability: knowing when to hold fast to core goals and when to adjust tactics in a changing world.
Leadership Under Scrutiny
For Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, this moment is an inflection point. His leadership has been marked by audacity—big ideas and big bets. But the recalibration of Neom demonstrates a willingness to confront limitations and shift course when necessary. As he himself has publicly acknowledged, projects that no longer serve the public interest may need to be altered or canceled.
This is not a retreat so much as a rebalancing—an acknowledgment that mega-vision must coexist with disciplined execution and financial restraint.
Looking Ahead
Neom’s transformation may well become a defining example of how large-scale national visions evolve. From mirage to measurable progress, the project’s redesign could prove a crucial test case for state-led megaprojects worldwide: setting aspirations high, but building them one achievable step at a time.
If Saudi Arabia manages to deliver a leaner, more efficient Neom, it may very well prove that bold ideas, anchored in adaptable strategy, can still reshape an economy without collapsing under their own weight.
