Announced in January 2021 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, The Line is envisioned as a futuristic city that challenges traditional urban planning and aims to redefine the concept of sustainable living in the 21st century.

Key Features of The Line

1. Linear Urban Design
   • Structure: The Line is a 170-kilometer-long (approximately 105 miles) linear city that will stretch across the desert in northwestern Saudi Arabia, near the Red Sea. Unlike conventional cities that sprawl horizontally, The Line is designed as a straight line to maximize efficiency and connectivity.
   • Vertical Layering: The city will be composed of multiple vertical layers, integrating residential, commercial, and recreational spaces in a way that minimizes the footprint and maximizes land use efficiency. The design allows for communities to be stacked vertically rather than spread horizontally.
2. Zero Carbon Emissions
   • Sustainability: The Line is being developed with a strong emphasis on sustainability. It will be powered entirely by renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and hydrogen. The city’s infrastructure is designed to have zero carbon emissions, with green spaces and nature seamlessly integrated throughout the urban environment.
   • Car-Free Environment: The Line is envisioned as a city without cars or roads. Instead, it will rely on high-speed, autonomous public transit systems that can transport residents from one end of the city to the other in just 20 minutes. Walking will be the primary mode of transportation within communities.
3. Smart City Technology
   • AI and Robotics: The Line will heavily incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to optimize city operations, manage resources efficiently, and enhance the quality of life for residents. These technologies will be used in everything from energy management to waste reduction and personalized services.
   • Hyper-Connectivity: The city will be designed as a hyper-connected, 5G-enabled smart city, allowing for seamless communication and data sharing between all systems and residents. This connectivity is intended to create a more efficient, responsive, and personalized urban experience.
4. Human-Centric Urban Living
   • Focus on Quality of Life: The Line’s design prioritizes the well-being and health of its residents. Communities will be designed to ensure that all essential services, such as schools, healthcare, and leisure facilities, are within a five-minute walk from homes. This “five-minute city” concept aims to reduce the need for long commutes and encourage a more active, engaged lifestyle.
   • Green Spaces: The city will integrate large amounts of green space, promoting biodiversity and providing residents with access to nature. This is part of the broader vision to create a harmonious relationship between urban development and the natural environment.
5. Economic and Innovation Hub
   • Attracting Talent and Investment: The Line is positioned as a global hub for innovation, attracting talent, investors, and companies from around the world. It aims to foster advancements in fields like biotechnology, energy, water, food, and mobility.
   • Job Creation: The project is expected to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification goals under Vision 2030.

Vision and Goals

The Line is a central component of NEOM, a broader $500 billion mega-city project that spans an area the size of Belgium and is designed to be a leading global destination for innovation and sustainability. The project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of diversifying the economy, reducing reliance on oil, and enhancing the quality of life for Saudi citizens.

The Line aims to set a new global standard for urban living, offering a sustainable, connected, and human-centric alternative to traditional cities. It is envisioned as a model for future urban development, particularly in regions facing rapid urbanization and environmental challenges.

Challenges and Criticism

While The Line is an ambitious and innovative project, it also faces significant challenges:

• Environmental Impact: Despite its sustainability claims, there are concerns about the environmental impact of constructing such a massive project in a pristine desert ecosystem.
• Feasibility and Cost: The scale and complexity of The Line raise questions about its feasibility, timeline, and the enormous financial investment required to bring it to life.
• Social and Cultural Considerations: The project also faces potential social and cultural challenges, including integrating the futuristic lifestyle it envisions with the existing traditions and norms of Saudi society.

Conclusion

The Line is one of the most ambitious urban development projects ever conceived, representing a bold vision for the future of cities. If successfully realized, it could revolutionize urban living by offering a sustainable, technologically advanced, and human-centered alternative to traditional city models. However, its success will depend on overcoming significant challenges and proving that such an innovative concept can be effectively implemented on a large scale.