Last Updated on December 26, 2023
Saudi Arabia is poised to redefine urban living with a proposed project named Pangeos, a massive turtle-shaped yacht that could become the largest sea vessel ever built.
This floating city, designed by Rome-based Lazzarini Design Studio, is named after Pangaea, the supercontinent that existed roughly two hundred million years ago.
The proposed dimensions for Pangeos are staggering. With a length of 550 meters (1,800 feet) and a width of 610 meters (2,000 feet), it would surpass the current title holder for the world’s biggest yacht, the German-built Azzam, and the biggest sea vessel ever constructed, the Seawise Giant.
Unlike traditional sea vessels, Pangeos is designed to function as a self-contained city, complete with hotels, shopping centers, parks, and other public spaces.
It is expected to accommodate sixty thousand guests plus an unspecified number of crewmembers and staff.
A New Kind of Urban Living
Each side wing of Pangeos would house nineteen villas and sixty-nine apartments, with seventy-two terraces available on the rooftop shell. Some terraces will offer sea views, while others will overlook the vessel’s central port area.
Powered by nine 16,800 horsepower HTS engines, Pangeos is expected to have a top speed of just five knots (5.7 miles per hour/9.2 kilometers per hour). Given its size, this slow and steady speed is unsurprising.
For travel between Pangeos and other locations, guests will have the option to use either another sea vessel or aircraft, with a port and an “upper shell area” providing access for these vehicles.
While the Pangeos itself would be the star destination, the vessel’s design also takes into account the well-being of its residents. With ample green spaces and easy access to the ocean, Pangeos promotes a healthy and active lifestyle.
Moreover, Pangeos could serve as a model for other cities. Its innovative design and sustainable practices could inspire other cities to adopt similar measures, potentially paving the way for a more sustainable future.
However, it’s crucial to note that these plans are still in the proposal stage. The project is estimated to be completed within eight years, marking a potential new era in sustainable living and urban planning.
The Road to Pangeos
Building a massive floating city like Pangeos is not expected to be cheap. Lazzarini estimates that an investment of eight billion dollars will be necessary for Pangeos to become a reality.
To acquire funding, an NFT crowdfunding initiative has been launched, allowing backers to pay with cryptocurrency for virtual space on Pangeos within the metaverse.
Finding a suitable space large enough for such a colossal construction project is a challenge in and of itself.
Designers at Lazzarini have postulated that Saudi Arabia might be an appropriate location. If the Saudi Arabian government agrees, a site at King Abdullah Port has been identified by designers as a feasible location for the mega-project.
Roughly one square kilometer of space in the sea would need to be dredged for construction to begin. A circular dam would be used to control water levels at the construction site.
For now, Pangeos remains very much in the conceptual phase. However, the vision it represents is bold and exciting. It’s a testament to human ingenuity and the endless possibilities of sustainable design.
Pangeos is not the only ambitious project proposed by Saudi Arabia. NEOM, a futuristic region in northwest Saudi Arabia, is another mega-project powered by 100% renewable energy.
Launched in 2017 by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, NEOM is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to reduce the country’s dependence on oil and diversify its economy.
Like Pangeos, NEOM represents a bold vision for the future of urban living. Both projects showcase Saudi Arabia’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in urban planning and architecture.
For now, Pangeos remains very much in the conceptual phase. However, the vision it represents is bold and exciting. It’s a testament to human ingenuity and the endless possibilities of sustainable design.
One day, construction of the futuristic floating city might begin in Saudi Arabia, marking a new chapter in the history of urban planning and architecture.
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