Why Saudi Arabia Is Building a Floating City
video description
how do people get from the residential area to the industrial area?
from the cgi plan they gave the only solid road would be on the northern exterior which would severely limit the moment of people in the south. if they use bridges then that will increase the cost of operation even more as well as slow down both traffic and shipping as they can only allow either cars or boats through at once.
where will the public transportation go?
no city on earth can survive without public transportation, and with the residential area being entirely on water and very close together this means that most forms of public transportation like rail/metro/small boats or even trams cannot function without a heavy redesign.
where is the medium-high density housing/where is commercial?
as proposed the main economic draw of the city will be its industrial zone, a business type that does not typically lend itself to single occupant housing which often creates demand for higher density housing, something that at current would struggle to actually float even more than the current housing scheme. not to mention that the only place for a commercial area (cafes, offices, public services ect) is to have them either mixed in with the residential which appears to be using lower capacity roads making deliveries harder or in the industrial area putting businesses away from customers and taking up your main money producing space.
where will the boats go?
cargo ships are well known for not being the most nimble of vessels, so why is the plan implying that a cargo ship will have to enter the city, do a U turn in a very confined space, off load/load and then go on its way? if the main idea for the city was to focus on the shipping lane they should have completely disconnected the sections and have the water way act as a 1 way road taking deliveries from the south and sending the exports to the north. as it stands the bridges i previously suspect them of planning to use will now see twice the disruption
whats the land value of a house looking at a dirty cargo ship?
some people may very well appreciate the smell of oil in the morning followed by the sight of a rusting hulk when in their back garden, but not many. Because with single occupant housing theres no way your going to see anything else if your living on the interior of the octagon.
when happens if you get too many people or businesses?
if the whole gimmick of your city is it being a certain shape your pinning alot of hope on that city never needing to expand else it breaks the shape (for an example look at the city of Brasilia which was meant to be in the shape of a bird but has over the years grown malformed yet still retains the inefficiencies of its base rigid shape)
and for the final one, if these projects are actually planned to work and actually exist wouldnt you want to perhaps have the line go from north to south and connect the other cities?
while filled with its own flaws having three cities acting in tandem would pose some possible synergies.
they could have the octagon serve as the lower income industrial hub, move goods by rail up to the line which is proposed to mostly be high density housing and commercial space and then finally connect it to the mountain town which will inevitably house the rich and elite.
Date: 2024-01-04
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Comments and reviews: 34
-niccilefevre9241
I just dont understand why a lot of these places want them to be half in the sea? Like dubais islands. I get that this one is supposed to float, but why? Seems like a dangerous plan with the state of the environment.
From what ive learned recently, what we need for great cities is:
1. Less car dependence (especially in the us) So much land is wasted for parking lots and roads that are just inadequate for what we need. They also increase the temperature in the area and the amount of concrete and other non-eco friendly materials used is baffling.
2. More cared for green spaces. (again this is from a us citizen so I cant speak for other countries) There are so many cities that are just masses of concrete with little to no greenery of any kind. Just parking lots, fast food, and strip malls. I also personally think that we need to begin integrating food forest and other means of local food production. In places with high-rises I like the solar punk idea of integrating the greenery into the buildings.
3. Better distribution of population. The suburbs are a literal drain on the economy and its wild that these wealthy neighborhoods are propped up by the low income and more densely populated areas. Not to mention the constant dead end road design causing bottle necks of local traffic. I don't know if high rises everywhere are the solution per say, but I think local neighborhoods should be brought back. Id like to see lots of little self sustaining areas that aren't zoned just for residence but for gardens, businesses, etc. This would make small walkable areas that would (hopefully) keep local money in the area instead of inflating some ceos pockets.
4. Some sort of ubi. We all know that fairly shortly ai and robots will be able to take almost every job, we can either block this and continue to slave away for barely enough to live, or accept the help, ingrate them into society, and make traditional labor obsolete. If not ubi then maybe a system that ensures survival by providing the basic necessities like housing, food, water for -free-. This would reduce crime rates both because of less desperation, but also because we as a society would have the time to fix the way we are in general. So many people have problems because of being raised in a capitalistic minded society. So many have trauma from being raised, in addition to generational trauma. If we could all have time for self discovery/improvement/education, the world would be a much better and caring place. This would also eliminate the homelessness. Last I saw there's around 21 empty houses for every 1 homeless person. If that isn't a problem of greed/capitalism, idk what is.
5. Im sure there's more I cant think of now.
All that being said the world as we know it will likely end before anyone is able to do these things on a larger scale. The corps are fine with just sitting by and watching as the world burns. Hording billions upon billions that could be used to fix everything (-cough-elon-cough-. I still have hope but damnit, it would take so little to fix things, and the answers are staring us in the face.
Its amazing that one can go to prison for murdering one person, but a company kills millions and gets a fine that is 1/100 of what they made that year. The world is a joke right now. When will we hold these assholes responsible for killing the planet?
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I just dont understand why a lot of these places want them to be half in the sea? Like dubais islands. I get that this one is supposed to float, but why? Seems like a dangerous plan with the state of the environment.
From what ive learned recently, what we need for great cities is:
1. Less car dependence (especially in the us) So much land is wasted for parking lots and roads that are just inadequate for what we need. They also increase the temperature in the area and the amount of concrete and other non-eco friendly materials used is baffling.
2. More cared for green spaces. (again this is from a us citizen so I cant speak for other countries) There are so many cities that are just masses of concrete with little to no greenery of any kind. Just parking lots, fast food, and strip malls. I also personally think that we need to begin integrating food forest and other means of local food production. In places with high-rises I like the solar punk idea of integrating the greenery into the buildings.
3. Better distribution of population. The suburbs are a literal drain on the economy and its wild that these wealthy neighborhoods are propped up by the low income and more densely populated areas. Not to mention the constant dead end road design causing bottle necks of local traffic. I don't know if high rises everywhere are the solution per say, but I think local neighborhoods should be brought back. Id like to see lots of little self sustaining areas that aren't zoned just for residence but for gardens, businesses, etc. This would make small walkable areas that would (hopefully) keep local money in the area instead of inflating some ceos pockets.
4. Some sort of ubi. We all know that fairly shortly ai and robots will be able to take almost every job, we can either block this and continue to slave away for barely enough to live, or accept the help, ingrate them into society, and make traditional labor obsolete. If not ubi then maybe a system that ensures survival by providing the basic necessities like housing, food, water for -free-. This would reduce crime rates both because of less desperation, but also because we as a society would have the time to fix the way we are in general. So many people have problems because of being raised in a capitalistic minded society. So many have trauma from being raised, in addition to generational trauma. If we could all have time for self discovery/improvement/education, the world would be a much better and caring place. This would also eliminate the homelessness. Last I saw there's around 21 empty houses for every 1 homeless person. If that isn't a problem of greed/capitalism, idk what is.
5. Im sure there's more I cant think of now.
All that being said the world as we know it will likely end before anyone is able to do these things on a larger scale. The corps are fine with just sitting by and watching as the world burns. Hording billions upon billions that could be used to fix everything (-cough-elon-cough-. I still have hope but damnit, it would take so little to fix things, and the answers are staring us in the face.
Its amazing that one can go to prison for murdering one person, but a company kills millions and gets a fine that is 1/100 of what they made that year. The world is a joke right now. When will we hold these assholes responsible for killing the planet?
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-stillatwork
I think its silly to accuse MBS of circumvent the existing government when its an absolute monarchy and as crown orince and prime minister MBS is essentially the monarch. He is reorganize the government to suit his needs but its still his government, not the peoples, his. Thats a terrible form of government but what can you do? Its not our government and we need their oil too much to put up a protest.
Now is this a good idea? No idea but probably not. But MBS can spend his money as he sees fit. If the people of SA have a problem with it they can have a revolt, but I am certainly not going to care that an absolute monarch is spending money on crazy civil projects rather then wasting money the -proper- way by buying large yatchs, sports teams, and mansions. Which is the alternative.
At no point does anyone think the money would be spent on the poor or feed the hungry or anything like that instead of this.
If the saudis want to spend billions on new cities and a snowy mountain in the desert. Fine. Its not my government and not my governments money.
Its not a good model to replicate but lets not fool our selves in thinking this is the worse alternative.
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I think its silly to accuse MBS of circumvent the existing government when its an absolute monarchy and as crown orince and prime minister MBS is essentially the monarch. He is reorganize the government to suit his needs but its still his government, not the peoples, his. Thats a terrible form of government but what can you do? Its not our government and we need their oil too much to put up a protest.
Now is this a good idea? No idea but probably not. But MBS can spend his money as he sees fit. If the people of SA have a problem with it they can have a revolt, but I am certainly not going to care that an absolute monarch is spending money on crazy civil projects rather then wasting money the -proper- way by buying large yatchs, sports teams, and mansions. Which is the alternative.
At no point does anyone think the money would be spent on the poor or feed the hungry or anything like that instead of this.
If the saudis want to spend billions on new cities and a snowy mountain in the desert. Fine. Its not my government and not my governments money.
Its not a good model to replicate but lets not fool our selves in thinking this is the worse alternative.
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-martin4819
Most interesting, that u laid out how the finance structure is laid out. Essentially MBS was given a 36B/1. 5% lump sum (ironically around the amount the kings economic city cost, which was a complete failure and no different than what is being proposed with Oxagon. MBS was also given a 4% stake to earn profits from. Explains why KSA is desperate to keep oil prices high-. but even high oil prices won-t get close to financing these projects! There is virtually no foreign investment or interest. KSA would have to sell off 50% of Aramaco to fund NEOM-. which is a horrible investment hence little foreign investment. The only thing that will get built is Trojena and thats only because they are hosting the Asian winter games. At least Qatar who spent a huge amount of money hosting the World Cup got some publicity-. I did t even know they had an Asian winter games. -
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Most interesting, that u laid out how the finance structure is laid out. Essentially MBS was given a 36B/1. 5% lump sum (ironically around the amount the kings economic city cost, which was a complete failure and no different than what is being proposed with Oxagon. MBS was also given a 4% stake to earn profits from. Explains why KSA is desperate to keep oil prices high-. but even high oil prices won-t get close to financing these projects! There is virtually no foreign investment or interest. KSA would have to sell off 50% of Aramaco to fund NEOM-. which is a horrible investment hence little foreign investment. The only thing that will get built is Trojena and thats only because they are hosting the Asian winter games. At least Qatar who spent a huge amount of money hosting the World Cup got some publicity-. I did t even know they had an Asian winter games. -
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fun-facts
One of my thoughts somewhere at 3: 30: Dang, what if a tidal wave hits?
Some shiny things I considered:
- What will happen to the ocean life when this is under construction?
- If they are keeping millions of people here, why are they only using solar and wind? Why not use a light water nuclear power plant with all this water?
- They are totally gonna use oil for power as they probably will be too scared to use nuclear and recycle the nuclear waste
- Why not just use the desert on shore to build the entire thing?
- How will this city float without sinking?
- I think this is a ripoff of venice, they are taking inspiration from that city and making it blade runner 2025: Whirlpool State
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One of my thoughts somewhere at 3: 30: Dang, what if a tidal wave hits?
Some shiny things I considered:
- What will happen to the ocean life when this is under construction?
- If they are keeping millions of people here, why are they only using solar and wind? Why not use a light water nuclear power plant with all this water?
- They are totally gonna use oil for power as they probably will be too scared to use nuclear and recycle the nuclear waste
- Why not just use the desert on shore to build the entire thing?
- How will this city float without sinking?
- I think this is a ripoff of venice, they are taking inspiration from that city and making it blade runner 2025: Whirlpool State
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fun-facts
If we now have a massive problem of decommissioned giant windmill blades, which are now just piling up in overflowing landfills, and a lot more are appearing with more giant windmills being produced everywhere in the world, because they are made of a nearly-indestructible fiberglass composite material, why not repurpose these very strong, HOLLOW structures as the -Bedrock- of floating cities in the oceans, or as part of wave-into-electric-power devices. Further, by cramming these upcycled windmill blades with trashed Styrofoam and empty plastic container trash, these sealed up floating pontoons/blades will always float even if holed.
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If we now have a massive problem of decommissioned giant windmill blades, which are now just piling up in overflowing landfills, and a lot more are appearing with more giant windmills being produced everywhere in the world, because they are made of a nearly-indestructible fiberglass composite material, why not repurpose these very strong, HOLLOW structures as the -Bedrock- of floating cities in the oceans, or as part of wave-into-electric-power devices. Further, by cramming these upcycled windmill blades with trashed Styrofoam and empty plastic container trash, these sealed up floating pontoons/blades will always float even if holed.
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-aribantala
I wonder if this Project was inspired from Ancient Carthage's _Cothon_ Ports. At least the concept of making a Port directly connected to the Industries as well as Maritime Supports (Shipwrights, Drydocks etc) and having the Port itself basically inside the city to cut out Logistics.
I'd rather see that. The Island and some artificial platformsv can serve as the central spoke where unloading happens while most of the industries can be built by enveloping the half circumference of the coast.
A modern Cothon would be cool IG
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I wonder if this Project was inspired from Ancient Carthage's _Cothon_ Ports. At least the concept of making a Port directly connected to the Industries as well as Maritime Supports (Shipwrights, Drydocks etc) and having the Port itself basically inside the city to cut out Logistics.
I'd rather see that. The Island and some artificial platformsv can serve as the central spoke where unloading happens while most of the industries can be built by enveloping the half circumference of the coast.
A modern Cothon would be cool IG
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-pauloakwood9208
Anyone who has ever owned a boat knows what happens when you 'park' the boat in the water for even a moderate length of time. In the first place, the different metals interact with flowing salt water and begin to dissolve. The second is that marine growth (everything from barnacles to seaweed) begin to attach and grow like crazy. They add considerable weight and alter water flow.
This is nuts.
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Anyone who has ever owned a boat knows what happens when you 'park' the boat in the water for even a moderate length of time. In the first place, the different metals interact with flowing salt water and begin to dissolve. The second is that marine growth (everything from barnacles to seaweed) begin to attach and grow like crazy. They add considerable weight and alter water flow.
This is nuts.
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-scottforesgaming
I really don-t know whypeople are just criticizing and being two faced people on the projects that the Saudis are building, everyone in west said at the beginning of their vision that it will fail and now we can see how their non-oil income has increased and the kingdoms GDP increased to highs. Let them build and after that criticize. Don-t be biased and see it from a one point of view.
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I really don-t know whypeople are just criticizing and being two faced people on the projects that the Saudis are building, everyone in west said at the beginning of their vision that it will fail and now we can see how their non-oil income has increased and the kingdoms GDP increased to highs. Let them build and after that criticize. Don-t be biased and see it from a one point of view.
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-HirenSanghavi
Rather than spending billions to make a partial city on water, they should-ve invested more towards development on land. This could-ve catapulted into small business growth eventually leading to entertainment zones and resorts, etc.
The map of Neom you showed, shows development is far apart. On land development could-ve closed the gap paving way for more settlements on land.
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Rather than spending billions to make a partial city on water, they should-ve invested more towards development on land. This could-ve catapulted into small business growth eventually leading to entertainment zones and resorts, etc.
The map of Neom you showed, shows development is far apart. On land development could-ve closed the gap paving way for more settlements on land.
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-nottodaymate6607
Why they can't just build floating part of town (by the size shown there is no way we can call it a city) on land next to the other half? This makes sense if there is no space left on land but is nuts when there is. Another pointless project. Can't wait to see what this will become when out of resources this country is selling. At least it's gonna be great diving site
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Why they can't just build floating part of town (by the size shown there is no way we can call it a city) on land next to the other half? This makes sense if there is no space left on land but is nuts when there is. Another pointless project. Can't wait to see what this will become when out of resources this country is selling. At least it's gonna be great diving site
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-serisingh
I still don-t understand why half of the city has to float or how that would earn back the ridiculously large amount of money needed to build or maintain it. I wonder if the threat of being fired, jailed or killed for speaking up makes MBS- civil engineers keep their critical thoughts to themselves.
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I still don-t understand why half of the city has to float or how that would earn back the ridiculously large amount of money needed to build or maintain it. I wonder if the threat of being fired, jailed or killed for speaking up makes MBS- civil engineers keep their critical thoughts to themselves.
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fun-facts
It appears they are throwing everything at the wall, hoping that something sticks - or playing Ozymandian vanity project bingo. This is what you get when contradicting the imbecilic whims of an autocratic dictator multibillionaire (trillionaire) will get you the starring role in a public execution.
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It appears they are throwing everything at the wall, hoping that something sticks - or playing Ozymandian vanity project bingo. This is what you get when contradicting the imbecilic whims of an autocratic dictator multibillionaire (trillionaire) will get you the starring role in a public execution.
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-david_walker_esq
Why is it called Oxagon and not Octagon? Regardless of its name, Oxagon seems to make as much sense as The Line. I wish I had the money and power to build such vanity projects. I'd attempt an EPCOT 2. 0 and mine wouldn't be an amusement park, but a functional, transit oriented community.
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Why is it called Oxagon and not Octagon? Regardless of its name, Oxagon seems to make as much sense as The Line. I wish I had the money and power to build such vanity projects. I'd attempt an EPCOT 2. 0 and mine wouldn't be an amusement park, but a functional, transit oriented community.
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-56redgreen
They have almost free unlimited land to build on and for some reason build up and in the ocean. Why they think it is a good idea is ridiculous. I realise they want to attract an educated work force, but this infrastructure is toast when they run out of money in some distance future.
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They have almost free unlimited land to build on and for some reason build up and in the ocean. Why they think it is a good idea is ridiculous. I realise they want to attract an educated work force, but this infrastructure is toast when they run out of money in some distance future.
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-iwantapool7945
This is like the 4th mega project I-ve seen from Saudi Arabia. If they wanted to make a non oil dependent economy they could just massively improved their current cities or make new modern cities that look like their other existing cities but make them more efficient-
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This is like the 4th mega project I-ve seen from Saudi Arabia. If they wanted to make a non oil dependent economy they could just massively improved their current cities or make new modern cities that look like their other existing cities but make them more efficient-
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-martiezboy
so the sea level rises and storms get more ferocious. wont this city be flooded and underwater at that point? there is no harmony between nature and humans. We're actively destroying nature and nature is in turn making it more and more difficult for us as time goes on.
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so the sea level rises and storms get more ferocious. wont this city be flooded and underwater at that point? there is no harmony between nature and humans. We're actively destroying nature and nature is in turn making it more and more difficult for us as time goes on.
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-planescaped
-Tries to paint a utopia-
Yeah a utopia. governed wholly by one of the most repressive regime's in the world! A utopia for everyone who agrees with the status quo! :P
The Line and Oxagon are such ill thought out concepts by crown prince derp.
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-Tries to paint a utopia-
Yeah a utopia. governed wholly by one of the most repressive regime's in the world! A utopia for everyone who agrees with the status quo! :P
The Line and Oxagon are such ill thought out concepts by crown prince derp.
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-user-oz5vu9fb9r
this project and others are what i calld NOBORISH MIND. they just care about how fancy and advertismant is bring to the kingdom, is not importent if this function good or echive practic goals. all the golf state are with the same mentality
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this project and others are what i calld NOBORISH MIND. they just care about how fancy and advertismant is bring to the kingdom, is not importent if this function good or echive practic goals. all the golf state are with the same mentality
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-Carefreeblues
How obtuse can one be? Humans are meant to live on land, yet somehow they're calling a project that calls for man to live in water a symphony of man and nature?
The hypocrisy of this corrupt kingdom knows no bounds.
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How obtuse can one be? Humans are meant to live on land, yet somehow they're calling a project that calls for man to live in water a symphony of man and nature?
The hypocrisy of this corrupt kingdom knows no bounds.
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-Andy_Babb
Imagine having so much money you could just say -hey build me a city-. And when you-re told -there-s not enough room bc of the ocean- and just be like -ok? So build it on the ocean. Figure it out. Here-s more money-
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Imagine having so much money you could just say -hey build me a city-. And when you-re told -there-s not enough room bc of the ocean- and just be like -ok? So build it on the ocean. Figure it out. Here-s more money-
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-floridacracker_
Here I thought they were predicting a water world. Boy was I wrong.
Still don't have a clue what it's for after watching it. No way in hell they'll make a floating city work. If so, how long will it float?
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Here I thought they were predicting a water world. Boy was I wrong.
Still don't have a clue what it's for after watching it. No way in hell they'll make a floating city work. If so, how long will it float?
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-seriouslyfun9740
This is why you should not let the architect take the lead on mega project. Only the beauty is emphasis, but the cost, technology, feasibility, finance and real tangible benefit are thrown out of the window.
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This is why you should not let the architect take the lead on mega project. Only the beauty is emphasis, but the cost, technology, feasibility, finance and real tangible benefit are thrown out of the window.
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-mkamka5274
That's their approach to the world for the next 20 to 50 years and judging by the comments we have a lot of youngsters so I guess most of you will be alive to see the results later.
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That's their approach to the world for the next 20 to 50 years and judging by the comments we have a lot of youngsters so I guess most of you will be alive to see the results later.
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-petercaptain2169
October 2023. project started. The world famous Dutch company BOSKALIS from the Netherlands started working in Dhuba Port with a MEGA-cutter suction dredger. called HELIOS.
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October 2023. project started. The world famous Dutch company BOSKALIS from the Netherlands started working in Dhuba Port with a MEGA-cutter suction dredger. called HELIOS.
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-antekpaztek
How are you so good at making the sponsored parts to your videos? Like seriously! In all of your vids its so well in-tuned with the topic! Well done keep it up
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How are you so good at making the sponsored parts to your videos? Like seriously! In all of your vids its so well in-tuned with the topic! Well done keep it up
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-10C45E
all of the new projects in Saudi Arabia or the UAE seem. fake. They don't have the competition or debate that forms cities in a more 'organic' way.
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all of the new projects in Saudi Arabia or the UAE seem. fake. They don't have the competition or debate that forms cities in a more 'organic' way.
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-kegsofvomitspit
With their nearly unlimited financial resources and penchant for frivolous engineering, the Saudi regime is like a real life Willy Wonka.
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With their nearly unlimited financial resources and penchant for frivolous engineering, the Saudi regime is like a real life Willy Wonka.
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-darryllfrias1042
another -show off- project thinking they can compete with other cities in the world and is likely to fail. typical middle east.
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another -show off- project thinking they can compete with other cities in the world and is likely to fail. typical middle east.
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-ShiwaniArch
can we know from which point u start your research on each topic because your videos are more understandable than a lecture class
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can we know from which point u start your research on each topic because your videos are more understandable than a lecture class
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-mooyldz
The red sea is not an OcEaN. NEO please learn the difference between a sea and the ocean. facepalm galore. Such a basic fact and yet.
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The red sea is not an OcEaN. NEO please learn the difference between a sea and the ocean. facepalm galore. Such a basic fact and yet.
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fun-facts
i just want to live in a cyberpunk dystopia i mean we already live in a dystopia can it at least be a fun or interesting one
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i just want to live in a cyberpunk dystopia i mean we already live in a dystopia can it at least be a fun or interesting one
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-abdulmoiz74
Unnecessarily flashy projects. This is how the Saudis will squander their money. Just focus on practical projects man
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Unnecessarily flashy projects. This is how the Saudis will squander their money. Just focus on practical projects man
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-qo3398
This guy really hates GKSA, notice how he is only critical about Middle Eastern projects while he d; ck rides Western ones
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This guy really hates GKSA, notice how he is only critical about Middle Eastern projects while he d; ck rides Western ones
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-davedaniel4824
Even though it's beautiful, the lack of human rights and a fair judiciary system makes it a no for me.
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Even though it's beautiful, the lack of human rights and a fair judiciary system makes it a no for me.
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