Neom’s The Line: Sustainable architecture, or grim dystopian future?

From a post oil focused Saudi Arabian economy, to developing carbon neutral, walkable cities with futuristic design and technology principles setting new standards for urban living

The NEOM project is a large-scale development planned in the desert of Saudi Arabia

Developed by Neom – the brainchild of Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed Bin Salman – The Line is a large-scale development planned in the desert of Saudi Arabia, with a target completion date of 2030. It is designed to function entirely on renewable energy and incorporate advanced robotics to support its operations. 

The city will have an independent administration overseen by its shareholders, separate from the traditional governance structures of the country. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) introduced the project in 2021 as a central part of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify the nation’s economy. The chosen location is in a vast desert region, covering an area larger than Belgium.

The Middle East holds more than 50% of global oil reserves. The Shift from Oil to Eco

It is no secret that Saudi Arabia has been attempting to rebrand itself on the world stage looking to looking to the UAE for a post oil economy along with the mega projects that go hand in hand. 

The Middle East holds more than 50% of global oil reserves, making its economies reliant on this resource. In Saudi Arabia, leaders have begun considering energy transition to reduce dependence on oil and adapt to climate challenges. In 2016, Mohammed bin Salman introduced the Saudi Vision 2030 plan to improve energy use, expand the energy mix with renewables, and develop new urban projects. 

To achieve these goals, he aims to make Saudi Arabia a top producer of blue and green hydrogen by constructing the world’s largest dedicated power station. He also plans to build three of the first 100 smart cities and combat desertification by planting 100,000 trees. NEOM is central to diversifying the economy by developing tourism, real estate, and finance, preparing for a post-oil future. It also seeks to raise the country’s average life expectancy by six years.

The Line aimed to connect the Red Sea coast with the northwest region of Saudi Arabia

Originally announced in 2021, The Line aimed to connect the Red Sea coast with the northwest region of Saudi Arabia, capturing the imagination of the world. It became the flagship project among the developments planned for the expansive 26,500 square kilometer Neom area in the country’s northwest.

This metropolis, valued at an estimated $500 billion, would be run entirely by its stockholders and be self-sufficient in food and water. Covering 26,500 square kilometers in the desert for a proposed high-tech metropolis, its size is commensurate with its price. Increasing Saudi Arabia’s population from 34 million to over 60 million through tourism and international investment is one of the main objectives in efforts to overcome demographic concerns.

The Line: Shaping Saudis Urban Landscape 

In a recent report, it was revealed that The Line’s first phase, originally intended to span a remarkable 106 miles along the picturesque Red Sea coast, will now be scaled back. Instead, it will cover just 1.5 miles, a fraction of its original length. By the year 2030, it is expected to house fewer than 300,000 residents. This reduction in scale signifies a departure from the initial plans of rapid expansion over the next six years. According to insiders familiar with the matter and official project documents, this downsizing is a result of financial considerations.

The scaling-back of the project is attributed to the delay in the approval of Neom’s 2024 budget by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. Bloomberg previously reported that the wealth fund is actively seeking alternative sources of funding to support the project. This budgetary uncertainty has prompted a revaluation of the grand plans for The Line, causing a ripple effect throughout the entire Neom project.

However, amidst these modifications lies the potential for unexpected benefits. As The Line’s contractors adapt to the new circumstances, there is an opportunity to recalibrate the project with a heightened focus on sustainability and efficiency. By prioritizing quality over sheer magnitude, Neom can ensure that The Line becomes a model for future urban development, embracing innovative solutions and mindful design principles, a place where citizens will be called Neomians rather than Saudis. 

The concept of “Zero Gravity Urbanism,” a term coined by Neom

The project encapsulates the idea of creating a linear city with mirrored facades to minimize their impact on the surrounding environment with the largest buildings ever constructed. The 200m gap between the skyscrapers is where the city is intended to lie with high-speed rail lines to connect the entire city eliminating the need for cars and roads. Homes, schools, public parks and offices will all be laid on top of each other meaning that all sort of amenities will be accessible within a five-minute walk while parks and natural open spaces will be within a two-minute walk.  

What was presented as an environmental utopia, The Line embodied the concept of “Zero Gravity Urbanism,” a term coined by Neom. The vision encompassed a city with sky-high mirrored walls, spanning 600 feet wide. The design aimed to create vertical layers for living, working, and recreation, promising unprecedented efficiencies in urban functionality. The car-free city would be seamlessly connected by high-speed rail and powered entirely by renewable energy. Renowned architecture firms such as Morphosis, Cook Haffner Architecture Platform, Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, HOK, LAVA, and OMA were associated with the project.

The case of the Howaitat tribe: death sentences and lengthy prison terms to six members

Critics argue that the project’s scope is unrealistic, and its visionaries have been accused of having suspect political aims and a poor human rights record. Some concerns were even raised about the potential negative ecological impact of the development.

Scrutiny intensified when construction began in October 2022, and reports emerged about the Saudi government issuing death sentences and lengthy prison terms to six members of the Howaitat tribe; a tribe that had long inhabited the proposed site, Jordan and the Sinai peninsula for generations and resisted eviction, tracing their lineage back before the founding of the Saudi state.

By May of the previous year, another group of UN-appointed independent human rights experts expressed concerns following news of the potential execution of three tribesmen who resisted forced evictions. The experts invoked international law, emphasizing that the death penalty should only be imposed for the most serious crimes and questioning whether the actions met this threshold.

The UN experts conclude by urging all companies involved, including foreign investors, to ensure that they are not causing or contributing to, directly linked to, or associated with serious human rights abuses. The call for accountability underscores the importance of upholding human rights standards in large-scale development projects like The Line.

NEOM’s genuine goals are. Its environmental goals might be deemed contradictory

Given its size and lofty aspirations, one might wonder what NEOM’s genuine goals are. Its environmental goals might be deemed contradictory. There would be ecological effects only from its construction. Despite smart cities’ claims to be carbon neutral thanks to cutting-edge technologies, The Line shows how many initiatives fall short because the energy and materials required to construct, operate, and maintain such projects are still substantial.

Neom projects encompass a wide range of innovative and captivating ventures. Ten regions in total will be developed, each offering unique features and experiences. Among them is Oxagon, the floating port city designed by Danish studio BIG, which promises to revolutionize maritime connectivity. The ski adventure resort Trojena will provide thrilling recreational activities, while Sindalah, the luxury island resort, is expected to be the first region to be completed, welcoming guests later this year.

As the financial challenges are addressed, the journey towards fulfilling the Vision 2030 program and diversifying the kingdom’s economy continues

While the scaling-down of The Line’s ambitions may seem like a setback, it is also an opportunity for the Saudi government and Neom’s stakeholders to reassess their priorities and ensure the long-term sustainability and success of the project. As the financial challenges are addressed, the journey towards fulfilling the Vision 2030 program and diversifying the kingdom’s economy continues.

Neom remains a captivating experiment in urban development, promising to redefine what is possible in the realm of futuristic city-building, but it also leaves you questioning its possibilities; can you build something like this? Can you truly have a city without cars or roads? Is a giant mirror in the middle of the desert a good idea? How would the city evolve over time? 

It is apparent that this project reflect bold ideas with futuristic ideas and the wow factor of the Pyramids of Giza and perhaps bold ideas is what we as a society need to spark global debate to generate ideas around how to fix our built environment.

Farah Hassan