INVESTIGATING TECHNOCENTRIC AND TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACHES TO PLANNING OUR FUTURE
Figure 1
A new neighborhood under
construction in Wadi Laban
(Bogaczewicz, 2019)
In this dissertation, I explore the two approaches to futureproofing urban environments. As a
result of the climate change crisis, securing the urban areas for the future is crucial. I am using
two examples, both situated in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk province. This means the two examples
have the same planning, ecological and social context. The two examples – Tabuk City and
The Line, NEOM are using different approaches to crating sustainable cities. The Line is aiming
for an automated, AioT operated Smart City and Tabuk City under the leadership of UN-Habitat
is aiming for a comprehensive social change. They are both aiming to fulfil the Sustainable
Development Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. Both approaches have their role,
and their combination would bring the best of both worlds.
