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Two parallel lines -

First, let’s set the record straight: the city is not one, but two parallel lines. The idea to build a new city came about to address the expected population growth of Saudi Arabia.

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Let's start from the beginning -

In January 2021, plans were unveiled for The Line, a linear city 110 miles (177 km) long and 660 feet (201 m) wide within the Saudi Neom region. The total planned area is 10,200 sq mi (26,417 sq km).

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Connecting three countries -

The Neom region is located in the northwest, along the Red Sea coast. It is strategically positioned to connect three countries: Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt. But where does the Neom name come from?

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The Neom name origin -

It is derived from two words and was envisioned by Mohammed bin Salman, crown prince and chairman of the NEOM Company Board of Directors. Neo means "new" in ancient Greek, while the 'M' is the first letter in Mustaqbal, an Arabic word meaning "future." It is also the first letter of the crown prince's name.

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Fossil fuel free -

The Line is set to be 100% carbon neutral, and free of fossil fuels. It's designed to function as an independent economic trade zone with its own laws, and to become the first private business zone to span three countries.

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The first line-shaped city -

While creating meaningful relationships, this is also a controversial project, on many levels, as line-shaped cities have been theorized for over a hundred years, but no one has made the concept work, so far.

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The city broke ground in 2022 -

Construction has already broken ground and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reiterated in a June 2023 interview with Al Arabiya News that he will prove all skeptics wrong, and the city will fully turn into reality.

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From circle to wall -

The initial shape was actually a circle, with lines connecting towards the center. But that idea was abandoned and instead evolved into a pair of continuous linear walls, much like this set of geological formations.

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Further changes -

In July 2022, the design for The Line was further modified, scrapping the idea of multiple buildings on a linear plan, instead combining them into one continuous structure covered by glass.

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Seen from outer space -

Much like the Egyptian pyramids, the construction can already be seen from space, as showcased in this satellite image (captured by Orbital Horizon).

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A sky resort in the desert -

The project represents the chance to turn a number of theories into practice, such as this curvaceous sky resort in the Trojena mountains. Tourism represents an alternative revenue source to fossil fuels.

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Holidays in the snow, and more -

This resort will be built alongside a large, man-made lake of unsalted water surrounded by hotels and homes, and topped by a crystal white skyscraper, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.

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Hardworking robots -

As for the way the city will function, those plans are ambitious too. "Repetitive and arduous tasks will be fully automated and handled by robots, which may exceed the population, likely making the Neom's GDP (Gross domestic product) per capita the highest in the world," states NEOM's website.

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Theories turned to reality -

The project will also aim to put into practice new technologies, an unsalted sea water supply, and new sustainable energies. Concepts that only existed on paper until now.

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A car-free city -

The Line is also planned to be car-free, while being large enough to house nine million residents, living within walkable communities, and with all basic services at a five-minute walking distance. Skeptical?

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Nature not forgotten -

Vertically built, NEOM states that nature is just a two-minute walk away, with open spaces suspended on multiple levels, providing views of the surroundings.

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The 15-minute city concept -

The project presents itself as the most extreme application of the 15-minute city concept. Connected with a hyperloop train, the plan promises that people should be able to get from one point in the city to the other within less than 20 minutes.

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Like pieces of a puzzle -

Even though the design is pretty straight forward, the whole masterplan is being developed in sections, each attributed to several renowned architectural studios.

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Architectural merging -

The plan involves 12 architecture firms, such as Morphosis, UNStudio, HOK, and CHAP. More recently Adjaye Associates were removed from the project, after accusations of sexual misconduct by three of David Adjaye's employees.

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The world's largest floating structure -

The Oxagon port is also an important part of the Neom region masterplan and its decarbonization vision. The logistics hub, conceived by BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group is set to become the "world's largest floating structure," as stated by NEOM.

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The first completion -

Set for completion by 2024, Sindalah, the luxury island resort, is the first to 'cross the finish line.' It was designed by the superyacht and architecture studio Luca Dini Design.

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Yacht heaven -

Described as the "future of luxury travel" by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the island will be a resort for the yachting community.

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Luxury tourism -

The island will feature multiple luxury hotels with more than 400 rooms and over 300 serviced apartments and villas, as well as two nine-hole golf courses, 38 restaurants, and a beach club.

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Desert, but not deserted -

All these successes notwithstanding, there has been controversy and reports of human rights violations. Indeed, although narrow, the slice of land wasn't entirely empty.

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ALQST Human Rights report (February 2023) -

The Saudi human rights NGO states that the area "has been inhabited for centuries, primarily by members of the Huwaitat tribe." ALQST also reports "the arbitrary arrests and unfair trials of the tribe's members, several of whom have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms or even execution."

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UN concerns -

Following the ALQST report, the United Nations Human Rights Council issued a statement voicing its concerns. Saudi Arabia responded to the UN, in a letter, rejecting that these men were sentenced to death for criticizing forced evictions.

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Norman Foster leaves the board of advisors -

However, the controversy had already been sparked years before. In 2018, several media outlets reported that one of the most prominent architects in the world, Norman Foster, stepped away from the project, after the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

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Will it be finished? -

Several architects shared their thoughts, and the project has opened a discussion about the future of cities. Architect Wolf Prix, who abandoned the project because he doesn't believe in the logistics, says it will likely end up "as a hotel," this in an interview with Dezeen.

Sources: (Dezeen) (BBC)

See also: Images of modern architecture around the world

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