Coastal and Island Development Technical Guideline for NEOM Development

Mawael Environmental Consultancy, in partnership with IH Cantabria, supported the development and enhancement of NEOM’s Coastal and Island Development Technical Guidelines by reviewing existing technical standards, benchmarking them against international best practices, and evaluating their applicability within NEOM’s unique environmental and regulatory context. The assignment included comprehensive technical reviews of coastal planning principles, sustainable development criteria, shoreline protection measures, marine ecosystem conservation requirements, and integrated coastal management approaches. In addition, the project assessed governance arrangements and institutional responsibilities for implementing the Coastal Development Guidelines and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Framework, identifying opportunities to strengthen coordination, regulatory compliance, environmental stewardship, and long-term resilience. The outcome provides NEOM with a robust technical and governance framework that supports environmentally responsible coastal and island development while protecting sensitive marine habitats and aligning future development with international sustainability standards.