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 | Aug 25, 2021
Summit One Vanderbilt immersive experience and observatory set to open
The project is located in the crown of One Vanderbilt.
Office Buildings | Aug 4, 2021
‘Lighthouse’ office tower will be new headquarters for A2A in Milan
The tower, dubbed Torre Faro, reimagines the company’s office spaces to adapt to people’s ever-changing needs at work.
High-rise Construction | May 27, 2021
The anti-high rise: Seattle's The Net by NBBJ
In this exclusive video interview for HorizonTV, Ryan Mullenix, Design Partner with NBBJ, talks with BD+C's John Caulfield about a new building in Seattle called The Net that promotes wellness and connectivity.
Mixed-Use | Apr 22, 2021
Jakarta’s first supertall tower tops out
The project will anchor the Thamrin Nine development.
High-rise Construction | Jan 20, 2021
Casablanca Finance City Tower becomes Morphosis’ first project in Africa
The tower is the first building completed in Casablanca Finance City.
Products and Materials | Sep 23, 2020
A new portable restroom is designed for mobility
Lendlease invented the H3 Wellness Hub, which can include natural lighting and UV bacteria control.
High-rise Construction | Mar 20, 2020
Edge, the Western Hemisphere’s highest outdoor skydeck opens
The attraction is part of 30 Hudson Yards.
High-rise Construction | Nov 6, 2019
AS+GG releases design scheme for the South HeXi Yuzui Financial District and Tower
The firm won an international design competition for the project in 2018.
High-rise Construction | Oct 7, 2019
A giant shipwreck sculpture highlights the proposal for Prague’s tallest building
Sculptor David Černý and architect Tomáš Císař from the studio Black n´ Arch designed the project.
High-rise Construction | Oct 4, 2019
KPF-designed CITIC tower is Beijing’s tallest
The tower is the fourth tallest in China and the eighth tallest in the world.