Incoming RIBA president Chris Williamson has defended his studio's work on the controversial Neom mega project in Saudi Arabia, saying "it is not a decision I take lightly".
In a statement written for UK publication Architects' Journal, Williamson outlined his views on the decision of British architecture studios to work in Saudi Arabia or on the controversial Neom scheme.
"We all form our own beliefs"
"We all form our own beliefs, our own version of truth and that should be respected," he told the Architects' Journal.
"I've read all The Guardian and other critical articles and I've also spoken to many people more directly involved and formed an opinion, which is always of course open to change if there is new information." Weston Williamson + Partners co-founder Williamson will officially become RIBA president-elect next month after winning an election in July. According to the Architects' Journal, his studio is believed to have worked on the high-speed railway that will run under the 170-kilometre-long The Line mega city.
The Line is the centre piece of the controversial Neom project in northwestern Saudi Arabia, which has been criticised on environmental and human rights grounds, particularly following reports that three men among communities evicted from the site have been sentenced to death. Saudi Arabia's government has claimed the men are convicted terrorists.
"Until 2021 I had not visited Saudi Arabia," Williamson w...