THE LINE: Saudi Arabia’s Futuristic Megacity
THE LINE, a proposed 170-kilometer-long mirrored city cutting across the desert, is a central part of Saudi Arabia’s evolving architectural vision. This ambitious project is designed as the backbone of NEOM, a $500 billion development in the country’s northwest.
Original Vision and Design
Envisioned as a carbon-neutral, car-free city, THE LINE features two parallel walls rising 500 meters high. It represents one of the most radical urban experiments of the 21st century, aiming to transform desert landscapes into a futuristic urban environment.
Current Status and Challenges
Recent reports suggest that Saudi Arabia is reassessing its Vision 2030 megaprojects, which collectively are worth over $1 trillion. Due to falling oil prices and increasing budget deficits, officials admit that the rapid pace and cost of construction have become unsustainable.
Scaled-back Plans
The original plan for THE LINE to stretch 170 kilometers across the Tabuk desert has been reportedly reduced. The current focus is limited to only a few miles of initial construction as the government reallocates resources and adjusts project timelines.
"Officials have acknowledged that the pace and cost of construction have become unsustainable amid falling oil prices and growing budget deficits."
"THE LINE, once envisioned to stretch 170 kilometers across the Tabuk desert, has now reportedly been scaled back to a few miles of initial construction."
Author’s Summary
Saudi Arabia’s THE LINE megacity faces scaling back amid financial challenges, shifting from its grand 170-kilometer vision to a more limited initial phase.