The Line: A New Era of Urban Living in Saudi Arabia

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman believes that the future can be now, requiring a transformative investment of $500 billion.

An Ambitious Vision for Saudi Arabia

In early January, the crown prince unveiled plans for a new community in Saudi Arabia called “The Line.” As the name indicates, this innovative community will be constructed along a 106-mile straight line, potentially accommodating one million residents. Notably, this community will be car-free, symbolizing a shift in culture for one of the world’s largest oil-producing nations, striving to diversify its economy.

The Line and Neom: A Comprehensive Project

The Line is a segment of the greater Neom initiative, located along the picturesque Red Sea. This ambitious plan aims to interconnect various neighbourhoods and serve as the main thoroughfare, where people can easily walk to their destinations. The funding is expected to come from “the Saudi government, PIF, and local and global investors over ten years,” according to the crown prince.

A New Paradigm for Urban Development

Throughout history, cities have been established to ensure the safety and comfort of their inhabitants. However, the advent of the industrial revolution shifted priorities towards machines, cars, and factories rather than the well-being of people. The crown prince emphasized in a video announcement that, “In cities recognized as the most advanced globally, individuals spend years of their lives commuting. By 2050, commute times are projected to double, with one billion people needing to vacate their homes due to rising CO2 emissions and sea levels. Alarmingly, ninety percent of the global population inhales polluted air.”

Revolutionizing Commuting

He questioned, “Why should we sacrifice nature for development? Why should seven million people perish annually due to pollution?” According to the crown prince, no walking commute within The Line will exceed two minutes. For those requiring faster transit, the community will incorporate “ultra-high-speed transit and autonomous mobility solutions.”

Challenges and Skepticism

Despite the ambitious vision, there are skeptics regarding the project’s feasibility. As reported by Middle East Eye, Walid al-Hathloul, whose sister is a well-known women’s rights activist, expressed doubts about the likelihood of The Line materializing. He referred to it as a strategy by the prince to seek notoriety.

Al-Hathloul stated, “Mohammed bin Salman believes that constructing cities will unfold as it does in video games. He thinks that this media narrative will engrain him in history and provide him with glory.”

Looking Ahead

In a press release, the crown prince affirmed that construction will commence in the first quarter of 2021, projecting the creation of over 300,000 new jobs in the process.

Stacey Leasca is a journalist, photographer, and media professor. Follow her on Instagram.