Following its launch last year, visuals have been revealed of Saudi Arabia’s 170-kilometer-long megastructure to house nine million people. Known as The Line, the skyscraper, which will be clad in mirrored facades, will be built near the Red Sea as part of the Neom smart city initiative. It will be 500 meters tall but very narrow, at only 200 meters deep, according to an article from the design magazine Dezeen.
Described by its creators as Zero Gravity Urbanism, the development challenges the traditional model of cities that radiate out from a central point. "The Line will tackle the challenges facing humanity in urban life today and will shine a light on alternative ways to live," said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a statement about the project.
Consisting of two wall-like structures with an open area between them, the megastructure will contain residential, retail and leisure areas, as well as schools and parks, all connected by bridges and green spaces. There will be no cars or streets, but a transport system will make it possible to get from one end of the city to the other within 20 minutes.
According to the Saudi Arabian government, The Line will be entirely powered by renewable energy. Saudi Arabia’s Neom initiative is part of the country's Vision 2030 to become less reliant on oil.
