The Saudi Arabian government has unveiled visuals of a 500-metre-tall linear city named The Line, which will be built near the Red Sea as part of Neom.
The world’s population is growing, but the amount of real estate available is not. Therefore, interests like the Saudi Arabian government are exploring ways to abate housing issues, and have revealed their concept for a megastructure named The Line that could house up to 9 million people.
The Line is conceptualized by U.S. design studio Morphosis, and will comprise a two-part mirrored skyscraper, partially lying in the Red Sea at a length of 170 meters, a height of 500 meters, and width at just 200 meters wide. When built, the dual skyscraper will become the 12th tallest building in the world.
As it is built, The Line’s two linear buildings will be topped with plantings, using Zero Gravity Urbanism to stack residential, retail, and leisure areas vertically, with bridges extending across interior green spaces as well. The mirrored exterior will make the structure look unique, and reduce how large the building looks in the landscape.
Using renewable energy in the entire structure, The Line will also have a transport system that runs the length of the walled city. It will get commuters from one side of the city to the other in 20 minutes.
Though The Line is surrounded in desert, it will stand as an oasis in the Neom city of Saudi Arabia that is designed to incorporate smart, and sustainable technologies into a town made for tourism, and to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy.
“At The Line’s launch last year, we committed to a civilizational revolution that puts humans first based on a radical change in urban planning,” said Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“The designs revealed today for the city’s vertically layered communities will challenge the traditional flat, horizontal cities and create a model for nature preservation and enhanced human livability,” he continued.
“The Line will tackle the challenges facing humanity in urban life today and will shine a light on alternative ways to live.”
Visuals show parks placed between the two linear blocks, which will be connected by multiple bridges and topped with more green spaces.
It will be entirely clad in mirrored facades to give the structure a unique appearance.
“The Line will have an outer mirror facade that will provide its unique character and allow even its small footprint to blend with nature, while the interior will be built to create extraordinary experiences and magical moments,” said the Saudi Arabian government.
A transport system running the length of the megastructure would be designed to connect both ends of the city within 20 minutes.
According to the Saudi Arabian government, the structure will be entirely powered by renewable energy and was designed as a sustainable alternative to traditional cities.
“We cannot ignore the livability and environmental crises facing our world’s cities, and Neom is at the forefront of delivering new and imaginative solutions to address these issues,” said Bin Salman.
“Neom is leading a team of the brightest minds in architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality.”
“Neom will be a place for all people from across the globe to make their mark on the world in creative and innovative ways,” he continued.
The Line, which was first revealed last year, forms part of the Neom initiative in northwest Saudi Arabia. Neom is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 drive to diversify its economy and become less reliant on oil.
