Given its regional positioning and role in the world economy, Saudi Arabia is viewed primarily as one of the most essential players in the global fossil fuel industry. This is for a good reason: ARAMCO (Saudi Arabian Oil Group), the primarily state-owned oil company, is the largest of all oil-producing companies, and it has access to the world’s largest crude oil reserves. The revenues generated by ARAMCO have brought enormous material wealth to the Saudi Arabian royal family and, by extension, the nation as a whole. Massive investments into infrastructure, social programs, and entertainment combined with the political developments that saw the ascension of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmen Al Saud (MBS) to power indicate a new direction for the Kingdom.
The Line
As part of its Vision 2030 plan, MBS laid out a plan of sweeping reforms that focused, amongst other things, on diversifying the economy and promoting sustainability with the stated goal of achieving Net Zero. As a part of Vision 2030, the Saudi government announced a number of flagship projects intent on exemplifying these goals. While all are extremely ambitious, the project that garnered the most media attention was The Line: a proposed glass-walled city stretching 105 miles long, 1,640 feet in height, and 656 feet in width.
For reference, the proposed height of The Line is only 136 feet shorter than New York City’s One World Trade Center and nearly 152 feet taller than Hong Kong’s International Commerce Centre. The Line is being marketed as the future of urban living by Neom, a company owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund and a key component of Vision 2030, and will supposedly run on 100 percent renewable energy without the need for personal vehicles or roads. Designed to accommodate 9 million people, residents will have access to high-speed rail, 24/7 climate control, and “unparalleled access to nature.” The project will also seek to integrate Artificial Intelligence into daily life, theoretically contributing to the city’s self-sufficient nature.
If successful, the promises of ‘The Line’ could revolutionize urban design for generations to come. The question that arises is whether these ambitious plans are feasible and can be realized.
The Challenges
While the grandiose promises of The Line and the other Vision 2030 projects offer potentially world-shifting innovations, many plans have already seen significant setbacks. As it pertains to The Line, the most pressing issue is, surprisingly, funding. The project, slated to cost $1.5 trillion, is experiencing funding concerns despite the vast Saudi wealth. Additionally, overspending and a rotating cast of key staff who have expressed concerns over the project’s feasibility have contributed to the issue. While Saudi officials have assured media outlets that the megaprojects will continue as planned, the reality is that by the proposed 2030 completion date of The Line, only 1.5 miles will be finished – a 98.6 percent reduction on the original plan. A delayed completion by 2045 is currently projected.
Upon completion, it is suggested that The Line will run 100 percent sustainably and produce zero net emissions. While this bodes well for the future, the city’s physical footprint and initial construction could have significant environmental impacts. By the unique nature of the design, two 105-mile parallel skyscrapers, the materials required for construction will far exceed those of traditional skyscrapers. The unique load-bearing and wind-resistance needs will also require tremendous amounts of concrete and steel. The manufacturing process for both materials is responsible for approximately 15 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, meaning the construction process will have massive environmental ramifications. Additionally, there are concerns that the 1,640-foot height and 105-mile length means The Line could act as an artificial wall in the desert – posing significant issues for natural airborne and ground animal migration and even potentially generating new weather patterns.
While the Line is an exciting and innovative plan at this point, it still faces key feasibility issues. Most significantly, funding and personnel problems and the need for further development in artificial intelligence and other technologies mean that the timeline for successful completion of the project must be significantly extended. However, the sentiment behind the project aligns with humanity’s future aspirations and needs.
Should the technological hurdles be overcome, a zero-emission, 100 percent sustainable city capable of housing millions could prove to be a watershed moment in city design. As cities in increasingly uninhabitable locations across the globe face emigration due to evolving climate factors, the need to house millions in new places is a pressing challenge facing humanity. While The Line may inimitable in other countries, the innovations that could result from this project present exciting possibilities for future human housing crises and urban design. Undoubtedly, when new innovations are pursued, spin off and cross-sector applications are common and can reshape the landscape for generations to come.
Written by Nicholas Cheyne, Public Policy Intern
The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure (Aii) is an independent, national research and educational organization. An innovative think tank, Aii explores the intersection of economics, law, and public policy in the areas of climate, damage prevention, energy, infrastructure, innovation, technology, and transportation.