Saudi futuristic city 'The Line' takes entertainment inspiration from Miami
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has given an interview to the Discovery Channel to discuss the iconic design of The Line and what it means for the Kingdom and the world.
Riyadh announced the innovative project in 2021 as part of NEOM, which is part of Vision 2023, a Saudi initiative aimed at diversifying the national economy and reforming sectors such as tourism and infrastructure.
The Line, on which construction began last October, is presented as a modernist and sustainable city based on renewable energies, ready to accommodate up to 10 million people. The city will have no roads or cars, so it will not emit polluting gases, preserving people's health and well-being and protecting the environment. Despite being car-free, The Line will offer a high-speed train that will connect the ends of the city in 20 minutes.
One of the most innovative aspects of the city is its linear form. The Line will stretch 170 kilometres long in the north-east of the country from the Red Sea. As Mohammed bin Salman recalled, after proposing several ideas for the city's design, one of the architects came up with the possibility of turning it into a line.
This design, the crown prince said, would solve the problems of traditional horizontal cities. The Line will also "address the challenges facing humanity in urban life today" and will propose "alternative ways of living", Bin Salman said. "We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises facing our world's cities," he added.
The Line is an engineering and design achievement, but it will also be a visually pleasing city. "Technology and design are not enough without art," said Bin Salman, who stressed that they wanted to create a city that is like "a work of art".
The Line also seeks to provide a wide range of entertainment for its inhabitants. To this end, the city will be inspired by other cities such as Miami. "In Miami, when you leave your office you are on holiday, because you have easy access to entertainment, culture, sport and shopping," explained the crown prince. "We are competing with Miami," he added.
Mohammed bin Salman: "We encourage other countries to do the same for a better planet"
Saudi Arabia's infrastructure sector is modernising by leaps and bounds, embracing new technologies and sustainability, but also taking into account current demographics and challenges. The Saudi leader pointed out that the Kingdom's population in 2030 will be between 50 and 55 million, compared to the current 33 million. Therefore, he stressed that in that year "the maximum capacity of Saudi Arabia's existing infrastructure will be reached".
Likewise, this population growth raises a new issue: the need to create new sustainable cities. "Saudi Arabia wants to create a new civilisation for tomorrow. We encourage other countries to do the same for a better planet," he said.
Bin Salman also sent a message to all those sceptical about the innovative projects developed by the Kingdom. "Some say that many plans in Saudi Arabia can be realised. They say they are 'too ambitious'. They can keep saying that and we will keep proving them wrong," the crown prince stressed.
To reinforce Bin Salman's words, Nadhmi Al-Nasr, executive director of NEOM, stressed that work is progressing on the futuristic city as planned. Meanwhile, Peter Fitzhardinge, NEOM's director of tourism marketing, told Arab News that "NEOM is becoming a reality". "I see developments every minute of every day. You have to come to NEOM to see the future of global liveability," she concluded.