Saudi Arabia recently announced plans for an ambitious urban project called The Line—a one-building city in the desert that will stretch 170 kilometers (106 miles) long and only 200 meters (656 feet) wide.
Part of a mega-development dubbed Neom, The Line reportedly will house 9 million residents on a footprint of just 34 square kilometers (13 square miles). “This will reduce the infrastructure footprint and create never-before-seen efficiencies in city functions,” according to an official statement. The narrow footprint will preserve 95% of the Neom development’s land.
The Line’s design aims to challenge the traditional design of urban environments. Unlike cities that comprise horizontal buildings spread across fairly flat terrains, The Line will vertically layer homes, schools, workplaces, public parks, and pedestrian areas. This design will allow residents to access all of the structure’s facilities within a five-minute walk. In addition, a high-speed rail will allow occupants to travel from one end of The Line to the other in only 20 minutes.
“The designs revealed today for the city’s vertically layered communities will challenge the traditional flat, horizontal cities and create a model for nature preservation and enhanced human livability,” Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also chair of the Neom board of directors, said in the July 25 statement. “The Line will tackle the challenges facing humanity in urban life today and will shine a light on alternative ways to live.”
At 500 meters above sea level, The Line also will boast a mirror façade that reflects the desert, blending the building with the surrounding landscape. With a year-round controlled climate, the Line also intends to run on entirely renewable energy.
Related Stories
High-rise Construction | Oct 5, 2016
Plans for Hudson Yards skyscraper from Bjarke Ingels have officially been filed
The 65-story tower will be primarily office space and has an estimated development cost of $3.2 billion
Sustainability | Oct 4, 2016
One World Trade Center officially awarded LEED Gold certification
The skyscraper received the certification despite a setback caused by Hurricane Sandy.
High-rise Construction | Sep 23, 2016
A massive redevelopment in Tokyo reunites developer and architect
Mitsui Fudosan and SOM join forces to create OH-1, a mixed-use complex with a prominent public square.
High-rise Construction | Sep 12, 2016
Bangkok’s tallest tower is also one of its most unique
At 1,030 feet tall, MahaNakhon Tower’s height is only outdone by its arresting design.
Mixed-Use | Sep 9, 2016
Rolled book scroll-inspired mixed-use project from Aedas planned for Chongqing, China
With a bookstore at the heart of the development, the project looks to exemplify an ancient Chinese proverb that says “knowledge brings wealth.”
Office Buildings | Sep 8, 2016
Taipei’s Lè Architecture, designed by Aedas, is almost complete
The 18-story building is designed to resemble a moss-covered river pebble in Taipei’s Nangang District.
High-rise Construction | Sep 8, 2016
Construction on the tallest residential tower in western Europe could start early next year
China’s Greenland Group is the developer of four of the world’s 10 largest skyscrapers
High-rise Construction | Sep 8, 2016
Lendlease to build Aykon London One Tower
Damac, the Dubai-based developer of the project, selected the Australian property construction and development company to build the tower.
High-rise Construction | Sep 7, 2016
Shenzhen Kingkey Group submits re-planning package for what could become China’s tallest tower
The high-rise, H700 Shenzhen Tower, is one of a group of towers being built in Shenzhen’s Caiwuwei financial and commercial area.
High-rise Construction | Sep 6, 2016
Peddle Thorp Architects' solar-powered Melbourne high-rise looks to go off the grid
The skyscraper would be the first in Australia to incorporate solar cells in its façade.
