Is Saudi Arabia Still Building THE LINE, Its Futuristic Desert Megacity?
THE LINE, a 170-kilometer-long mirrored megacity cutting through the desert, remains a focal point of Saudi Arabia’s evolving architectural ambitions. Initially celebrated as one of the boldest urban projects of the 21st century, it was designed as the core of NEOM — a $500 billion development in the country’s northwest.
The original vision proposed a car-free, carbon-neutral city enclosed between two parallel walls rising 500 meters high. However, this ambitious concept now faces a reality check as construction costs soar and timelines shift.
“Saudi Arabia is entering a period of reassessment for its vast Vision 2030 portfolio,”
Reports suggest that this reassessment includes over $1 trillion worth of megaprojects. Officials have admitted that maintaining the initial pace and scale of construction has become difficult due to declining oil revenues and increasing budgetary pressures.
As a result, THE LINE, once intended to span 170 kilometers across the Tabuk desert, is reportedly being reduced to just a few miles of initial development while resources are redirected and schedules adjusted.
Summary
The LINE’s grand vision is being scaled down as Saudi Arabia reevaluates its architectural priorities amid financial strain and shifting economic conditions.