The Line: Updates on Saudi Arabia’s 170 km Futuristic City

THE LINE is an ambitious linear smart city emerging in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Unveiled in January 2021 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), it forms the centerpiece of NEOM, a broader \$500 billion “giga-project” under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Instead of a sprawling metropolis, THE LINE is conceived as a 170-kilometer-long urban strip enclosed by towering mirror-clad megastructures—aiming to create a car-free, zero-carbon community where everything people need is just a short walk or high-speed transit ride away.

Saudi officials present THE LINE as both an economic engine and a sustainability showcase. They promise a city with no cars or roads, powered by 100% renewable energy, and preserving 95% of the surrounding natural land. According to NEOM’s projections, the city could eventually house up to 9 million residents and add billions to the Saudi economy by fostering innovation, technology, and tourism. Yet, despite the futuristic excitement, THE LINE has drawn global attention and skepticism around costs, feasibility, environmental impact, and social implications. Below, we explore the project’s key updates, from major milestones and construction progress to the forward-looking urban design that has captured the world’s imagination.

Project Scope and Vision

At its core, THE LINE aims to reimagine what a city can be by compressing millions of people and a full suite of urban amenities into a narrow corridor just 200 meters wide and 500 meters tall. The entire strip would be enclosed by two parallel mirrored walls, each reflecting the desert and mountains around it. The interior, known as a “vertical layered” environment, organizes housing, workplaces, and recreation in stacked tiers. Instead of building outward, the plan builds upward, ensuring minimal land usage.

1. Zero-Carbon Goals
   THE LINE is pitched as a zero-carbon city, with no personal cars and all electricity sourced from solar, wind, and possibly green hydrogen. High-speed rail will connect the entire 170 km length, allowing end-to-end travel in ~20 minutes.
2. Vertical Communities
   Called “Zero Gravity Urbanism,” the design stacks daily life across multiple vertical levels. Residents’ homes might be above or below gardens, offices, or entertainment venues. The idea is that a five-minute walk or short elevator ride could fulfill most daily needs.
3. Preserving Nature
   Saudi leaders emphasize that by building vertically and in a compact footprint, THE LINE will preserve 95% of the broader NEOM region. The linear city thus aims to safeguard vast deserts and coastlines from suburban sprawl.

Key Milestones in Development

The concept of NEOM first surfaced in October 2017, but THE LINE was formally unveiled on January 10, 2021. Below are a few landmark moments:

• October 2017: NEOM announced as a mega-development under Vision 2030.
• January 2021: Crown Prince MBS introduces THE LINE, describing it as a “170 km belt of hyper-connected future communities.”
• Late 2021: Initial earthworks begin; global engineering firms (AECOM, Bechtel) sign on.
• July 2022: New designs show two massive mirror-glass walls, each ~500 m tall, with capacity for up to 9 million inhabitants.
• October 2022: Drone footage reveals a continuous trench in the desert, confirming that large-scale excavation is well underway.
• 2023–2025: Intensifying foundation work sees thousands of piles installed, as NEOM pushes to lay the structural spine. Updated visuals spotlight advanced progress yet also confirm the project’s vast complexity.

Many watchers highlight that by 2030, officials aim to make a portion of THE LINE livable for the first wave of residents, though the full 170 km may take decades—possibly well beyond 2045 or 2050.

Construction Progress and On-the-Ground Updates

As of 2024–2025, construction in the desert is no longer just theoretical:

1. Foundations and Trenching
   Satellite and drone videos from 2022–2024 show a deep linear trench snaking through the desert. Excavators are removing massive amounts of earth to create the subsurface base that will eventually hold the city’s structural walls and a high-speed transit corridor. Some segments report daily installation of 100+ concrete piles, each driven tens of meters into bedrock.
2. Accelerated Earthworks
   To sustain such monumental building, NEOM has built on-site concrete plants and dedicated worker camps. Over 60,000–100,000 workers—ranging from local contractors to global engineering teams—are stationed at the site. The entire operation runs 24/7, highlighting the state’s commitment to rapid progress.
3. Phased Approach
   Officials say they’ll tackle THE LINE in modules. By focusing on a coastal portion first, they hope to create a pilot district and “Hidden Marina” by 2030, enabling partial occupancy and tourism. The ambition is for a large fraction of residents (hundreds of thousands) to move in even before the rest of the 170 km is fully constructed.

Despite official optimism, external assessments caution that finishing even a few kilometers by 2030 is monumental. Some reports question whether only 2–5 km might be operational initially, with further expansion stretching many more decades.

Urban Design and Infrastructure

One of the biggest talking points is THE LINE’s radical city form: two long mirror-like walls running parallel. Inside is a narrow corridor of layered neighborhoods.

• No Cars, No Roads: By removing personal vehicles, THE LINE reclaims space for pedestrians, micro mobility, and mass transit. A subterranean high-speed train is expected to allow quick journeys between sections.
• Vertical Layers: Housing, office, retail, and green spaces vertically “stack” in an enclosed environment. Residents might take an elevator to a park or a café. NEOM dubs this concept “Zero Gravity Urbanism.”
• Mirror Facade: The outward-facing surface is a continuous mirrored exterior, theoretically blending the structure into the landscape. This also raises concerns about glare, bird collisions, and maintenance in a dusty desert climate.
• Energy and Water: Advertised as 100% renewable, THE LINE’s energy will stem from solar, wind, and possibly green hydrogen. Large-scale desalination plants (plus advanced water recycling) are planned to supply the city’s needs.
• High-Speed Rail Spine: A dedicated track system aims for the 170 km journey to take ~20 minutes. Adjacent underground freight tunnels will manage supply logistics, further removing the need for surface roads.

Such an integrated approach demands massive capital and advanced engineering solutions. If successful, it could serve as a model for future eco-cities; if not, it risks becoming a cautionary tale of overreach.

Technology Innovations

Saudi leadership dubs NEOM a “cognitive city,” featuring:

1. AI & Data-Driven Governance: A central AI “city brain” will continuously optimize resource use, traffic flows, and energy distribution.
2. Autonomous Mobility: Self-driving shuttles, robo-taxis, and even potential flying taxis (Volocopter partnership) are under development to streamline travel.
3. Smart Homes & IoT: The plan calls for widespread sensors, integrated digital infrastructure, and possibly “robotic assistants” for maintenance and daily tasks.
4. Construction Tech: Early phases rely on cutting-edge drones for surveying, 3D printing in certain structural components, and advanced modular assembly.

Critics warn about potential data privacy issues and a “surveillance city” environment, highlighting that all-seeing camera networks and AI data mining might conflict with human rights standards. Proponents say only such technology can sustain a city of millions in minimal space with near-zero emissions.

Funding and Feasibility

Financing THE LINE is as bold as the design:

• Public Investment Fund (PIF): Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund heavily bankrolls NEOM. Over $37 billion in infrastructure spending has already been allocated to date.
• Foreign Partnerships: Despite seeking external investment, the project has yet to secure major private capital at scale. Observers say many investors remain cautious, citing high risk and uncertain returns.
• Cost Overruns: Internal audits and media leaks suggest the final tally might approach $1 trillion or more if the entire 170 km is built to full specs—far exceeding the initial $100–200 billion estimates.
• Phased Buildout: Officials deny any “scale-back,” but they do acknowledge it may take decades. The updated approach focuses on delivering a few kilometers for demonstration by 2030, and expanding in stages.

If oil prices remain strong, Saudi Arabia can continue self-funding to an extent. But for a project of this magnitude, sustained spending and private sector buy-in are crucial. Skeptics question if it can truly meet the lofty timelines for occupancy and completion.

Environmental and Social Impact

THE LINE claims to preserve 95% of NEOM’s land by concentrating human activity in a narrow vertical band. Yet the environmental footprint is immense:

1. Embodied Carbon: The colossal construction (steel, concrete, mirror glass) entails huge upfront emissions. Some experts estimate the project’s total carbon footprint could overshadow its promised zero-carbon operations for many years.
2. Habitat Disruption: A 170 km mirrored wall may fragment wildlife corridors. Bird collisions and biodiversity loss are worries.
3. Displacement of Locals: The Huwaitat tribe faced forced eviction. Several members who resisted were detained or given harsh sentences, drawing condemnation from human rights groups.
4. Surveillance Concerns: The heavy digital and AI layering implies potential privacy issues, especially in an authoritarian context.

Proponents argue THE LINE’s density and sustainable design will demonstrate a more climate-friendly urban model than typical sprawl. Critics see potential “greenwashing” and question whether a mirrored desert megacity is truly the best path to low-impact living.

Global Reactions and Future Outlook

From the moment it was unveiled, THE LINE has been described as “sci-fi,” “utopian,” or “dystopian,” depending on one’s viewpoint. Architecture and urban planning circles debate whether such an extreme linear approach is feasible or wise. Some major designers remain involved, while others have walked away, citing ethical or practical concerns.

• Media Coverage: International press coverage oscillates between fascination at the futuristic concept and skepticism over cost, viability, and social issues. Drone footage of the desert trench in 2022–2023 confirmed the reality of large-scale works, causing both shock and curiosity.
• Soft-Power Aspirations: For Saudi Arabia, THE LINE is a keystone in Saudi Vision 2030, intended to move the kingdom beyond oil dependence. A successful NEOM would mark a cultural and economic shift, boosting the country’s global standing.
• Phased Achievements: NEOM officials vow to show partial completion by 2030, housing potentially hundreds of thousands of people. Full realization, if it happens at all, could span into the 2040s or beyond. Even NEOM insiders mention a “100-year horizon” to fill the entire 9 million capacity.
• Uncertain Verdict: The next 5–10 years will be telling. If enough sections get built and prove livable, THE LINE may become a leading model for future eco-cities. If it bogs down in funding shortfalls or operational difficulties, it could serve as a cautionary tale about overly grand visions.

Ultimately, THE LINE tries to answer a pressing question: How can humanity live more sustainably and innovatively? Whether it becomes a genuine breakthrough or remains a high-profile curiosity depends on the interplay of engineering success, financial stamina, social acceptance, and a dash of luck. For now, construction presses on under the Saudi sun, with the world watching intently to see if this “170 km revolution in urban living” can truly transform from concept to thriving reality.

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