Architizer's <\/i>diverse jury of global experts<\/i><\/span><\/a> is currently reviewing submissions to<\/em> the <\/i>14th A+Awards<\/i><\/span><\/a>! Sign up to <\/i>receive updates<\/i><\/span><\/a> on Public Voting and spring winner announcements.<\/i><\/i><\/p><\/p>\n Load the landing page for NEOM, and you\u2019ll be met with a highly polished promo video of a young woman flying unsupported through a cityscape of towering buildings, flowing waterways and a lush abundance of mature plant life on every fa\u00e7ade and elevated walkway. Having been dubbed the next step in humanity’s evolution, it is no surprise that a chunk of the $500 billion worth of funding has already been poured into developing the online presence of the new city-state NEOM. While the marketing team at NEOM isn\u2019t quite suggesting they can give you the powers of personal flight, they\u2019re not far off.<\/p>\n The ultra glossy website unabashedly announces New Wonders for The World, where exceptional renders, CGI video content and bold statements appear to be the only way to communicate. \u201cA destination like no other on earth\u201d that runs on \u201c100% renewable energy\u201d and is built upon \u201can unspoilt virgin landscape.\u201d The development claims to set new global standards in \u201carchitectural excellence,\u201d \u201cregenerative wellness programs,\u201d \u201ctransformative experiences,\u201d \u201cpremium luxury,\u201d \u201cprotected heritage sites,\u201d \u201cthriving wildlife reserves,\u201d \u201cadvanced technology observatory,\u201d and \u201cexclusive hotel, residences and events.\u201d On the surface, it all sounds quite promising. Yet beneath the uplifting music, fantastical visualizations and extortionate production budgets, there are grounds for skepticism surrounding the world’s newest mega-city.<\/p>\n\n