The Line: Saudi Arabia’s Bold Vision for a Futuristic, Sustainable City

ambitious urban projects in modern history. “The Line” is part of a larger initiative under Saudi Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to diversify the nation’s economy and reduce its dependence on oil. This new urban development promises to reshape the future of cities not only in Saudi Arabia but also across the world. The Line, a revolutionary city design, symbolizes the future of sustainability, human well-being, and technological innovation.

This article delves into what The Line is, why it is being built, its design and concept, how it fits into Saudi Arabia’s broader economic and environmental objectives, and the challenges it may face as it moves from concept to reality.

What is The Line?

The Line is a linear city under development as part of the NEOM project in northwestern Saudi Arabia. NEOM itself is an ambitious, multi-billion-dollar city-building initiative, but The Line is its centerpiece and most innovative part. Spanning 170 kilometers (105 miles) in length, The Line is a smart city designed to accommodate up to 9 million residents and serve as a global hub for business, technology, and culture. However, it is unlike any traditional city; it will be structured as a long, narrow strip that will have a width of only 200 meters (656 feet) and a height of 500 meters (1,640 feet).

The design is unique in that it eliminates the traditional concept of urban sprawl. The Line will be powered entirely by renewable energy and will have zero cars, zero streets, and zero emissions. Instead, residents will rely on high-speed, underground public transportation, and advanced mobility solutions to navigate this ultra-efficient urban environment. According to NEOM’s developers, the end-to-end transit time across the entire 170 km will be just 20 minutes, drastically reducing the time people spend commuting.

Vision and Purpose Behind The Line

The Line was announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2021 as part of the broader Saudi Vision 2030 framework. This strategic vision aims to modernize the country, making it less dependent on oil revenues, and transitioning to a knowledge-based economy that emphasizes sustainability, technology, and human development.

At the heart of this vision is the idea that traditional cities are no longer sustainable. They are increasingly plagued by issues such as pollution, overpopulation, inefficient transport systems, and poor urban planning. The Line is intended to offer a solution to these problems by creating an entirely new model of urban living, one that prioritizes people over cars and buildings over highways.

According to its developers, The Line will redefine urban planning by integrating nature with urban spaces. Residents will live close to natural environments and within 5-minute walking access to most daily needs, making life more convenient and environmentally friendly. Moreover, this project aims to showcase Saudi Arabia as a leader in sustainability and innovation on the global stage.

Design and Structure of The Line

The Line’s most notable feature is its verticality. Instead of sprawling outwards like traditional cities, The Line will be built upwards. Its entire length will be encased in two mirrored walls running parallel along the entire 170 kilometers, creating a sleek, futuristic look. These walls will protect the city from the harsh desert environment while also reflecting sunlight to reduce heat absorption, helping maintain a cooler, more pleasant atmosphere inside the city.

Each vertical layer of the city will serve a distinct purpose, from residential and commercial spaces to green spaces and advanced transportation networks. The designers of The Line envision a “layered city” concept, where people can live, work, and play without ever having to leave their immediate neighborhood, dramatically reducing the need for travel.

The city will be divided into interconnected modules, each of which will be self-sustaining. Every module will be powered by renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydrogen power. Waste will be minimized through advanced recycling technologies, and food production will rely heavily on vertical farming. The goal is for The Line to achieve a carbon-neutral footprint.

Technological Innovation at the Core

The Line will be a technological marvel, with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning embedded into the very fabric of the city’s infrastructure. From traffic management to energy distribution, AI will optimize every aspect of urban life. Smart sensors, data analytics, and autonomous systems will monitor the city’s operations, ensuring maximum efficiency and minimum waste.

In terms of mobility, residents will rely on underground transit systems powered by clean energy. These systems will include high-speed trains capable of traveling the full length of the city in under 20 minutes, drastically reducing travel time and congestion. Drones and autonomous vehicles will also play a role in providing logistical and mobility services, ensuring that the city operates smoothly and with minimal human intervention.

The design philosophy behind The Line ensures that technology enhances human well-being. Rather than being an add-on or afterthought, technology will be integral to the way people interact with their environment, whether through personalized public services, smart home systems, or automated healthcare solutions.

Sustainability: A Central Tenet

Sustainability is a cornerstone of The Line. One of the project’s primary goals is to create a city with no carbon emissions. To achieve this, the city will run entirely on renewable energy sources, including solar and wind power, as well as cutting-edge hydrogen technology.

The Line’s planners also aim to minimize environmental impact by maintaining large portions of the surrounding natural landscape. Urban planning experts argue that traditional cities tend to damage their natural surroundings by spreading outward, encroaching on green spaces and creating pollution. In contrast, The Line’s narrow footprint and vertical design will allow it to coexist with nature, protecting ecosystems and reducing urban sprawl.

Vertical farming, advanced water desalination, and waste recycling systems will further contribute to the city’s sustainability goals. The integration of green spaces and natural ecosystems into the city’s structure will create a healthier, more balanced living environment for residents, promoting biodiversity and enhancing well-being.

Economic and Social Impact

The Line is expected to serve as a catalyst for economic diversification in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government hopes that the project will help attract global talent and businesses, turning the city into a hub for innovation and technology. The economic impact of The Line is projected to be vast, with the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs in fields such as engineering, construction, technology, and energy.

The project is also expected to draw significant foreign investment, particularly from tech companies and green energy firms. By offering a modern, forward-thinking environment in which businesses can thrive, The Line aims to position itself as a major economic engine for the region.

From a social perspective, The Line is designed to prioritize quality of life for its residents. The city will offer world-class healthcare, education, and leisure facilities, all of which will be accessible within a short walking distance. By promoting a healthy work-life balance and reducing time spent on commuting, The Line’s planners hope to create a more fulfilling and productive lifestyle for its citizens.

Furthermore, the project seeks to empower women and marginalized communities by offering equal opportunities in education, employment, and leadership roles. This aligns with the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to increase female participation in the workforce and promote social equality.

Challenges and Criticism

While The Line is an extraordinary vision of the future, it faces numerous challenges. One of the most significant hurdles will be the sheer scale of the project. Constructing a 170-kilometer linear city in the harsh desert environment will require unprecedented levels of engineering and financial investment. Critics argue that the project’s estimated cost—upwards of $500 billion—could strain Saudi Arabia’s finances, particularly if the project fails to attract the expected level of investment and international interest.

Environmental concerns also persist. While the project claims to be sustainable, building a massive city in the desert could have unforeseen impacts on the local ecosystem, especially during construction. Moreover, the city’s reliance on high-tech solutions such as AI, autonomous systems, and renewable energy will require significant advancements in technology, many of which are still in the early stages of development.

Critics also question whether the futuristic lifestyle envisioned in The Line will appeal to its target population. Saudi Arabia is a deeply conservative country, and there are concerns that the city’s ultra-modern, technology-driven design may not resonate with traditional cultural values. Moreover, the rapid pace of urbanization may create social tensions if the project is not carefully managed.

Conclusion: A Bold Vision of the Future

The Line represents a bold vision of the future of urban living. It is a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s determination to transform its economy and position itself as a leader in sustainable development and technological innovation. By rethinking the way cities are designed and built, The Line challenges conventional wisdom about urban planning and offers a new model for sustainable, people-centric living.