Is Saudi Arabia Still Building THE LINE, Its Futuristic Desert Megacity?
THE LINE, a 170-kilometer-long mirrored city cutting through the desert, remains a key project in Saudi Arabia’s evolving architectural plans. Originally celebrated as one of the most radical urban experiments of the 21st century, it was designed as the centerpiece of NEOM, a $500-billion development in the country’s northwest.
The city promised a car-free, carbon-neutral environment built between two parallel walls rising 500 meters high. This visionary concept aimed to revolutionize urban living but is now facing significant challenges.
Reassessment Amid Economic Pressures
Recent reports indicate Saudi Arabia is reassessing its vast Vision 2030 portfolio, which includes architectural megaprojects valued at over $1 trillion. Officials have admitted that both the construction speed and costs have become unsustainable due to falling oil prices and mounting budget deficits.
Project Scale Reduction
Initially planned to extend 170 kilometers across the Tabuk desert, THE LINE's scope has reportedly been reduced to just a few miles of initial construction. The government is reallocating resources and adjusting timelines for its various development efforts.
"The pace and cost of construction have become unsustainable amid falling oil prices and growing budget deficits."
Despite setbacks, THE LINE remains a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to transform its urban and economic landscape.
Author’s summary: Saudi Arabia’s visionary megacity, THE LINE, designed as a 170-km mirrored desert city, faces scaling back due to economic pressures and a shift in national project priorities.
Would you like the text to be more technical or accessible to a general audience?