Saudi Arabia’s Neom Project: A Vision for the Future
Saudi Arabia has been tirelessly working on a groundbreaking infrastructure initiative led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS. The Neom project, situated in the Tabuk region, aims to revolutionize the Kingdom and its global interactions through a series of innovative developments.
The Line: A Futuristic City Along the Dead Sea
One of the flagship endeavors within the Neom project is ‘The Line,’ a proposed 105-mile-long urban center skirting the coast of the Dead Sea. Envisioned to accommodate up to 9 million residents by 2030, the city is currently in the construction phase. Commencing two years ago, the Saudi government has been diligently constructing this monumental metropolis, with an estimated cost reaching $500 billion.
The architectural designs for ‘The Line’ are colossal, intricate, and seemingly unattainable. The city is slated to hover above the desert at a height surpassing that of the Empire State Building. Additionally, the entire structure will be supported by a sprawling mirrored facade spanning its entire length. The urban layout is planned to be devoid of cars and streets, instead integrating an extensive rail system to cultivate an eco-friendly living environment. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman articulated in 2022 that, “The designs unveiled today for the city’s vertically layered communities will challenge the conventional flat, horizontal cities and establish a paradigm for nature conservation and improved human habitation.”
Read more about The Line project here.
Challenges and Realignment in Neom’s Development
Although developers initially aimed to complete a significant portion of the Neom project by 2039, recent hurdles have impeded progress. The grandiose, science-fiction inspired aspirations that drove the project’s inception are gradually giving way to more pragmatic strategies. Let’s delve into the recent developments surrounding the troubled desert metropolis.
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