February 7th 2024.
Construction is currently underway for a groundbreaking project in Saudi Arabia - a 75-mile long city. A recent set of aerial photos has given us a glimpse of the massive scale of this ambitious venture, estimated to cost a staggering £800 billion. The city, aptly named "The Line", will be a futuristic metropolis, boasting towering skyscrapers, an artificial river, a floating port, and even a synthetic ski resort. It will be a part of the larger Neom complex, a vast desert development.
The images released by Giles Pendleton, COO of The Line, were in response to skeptics who doubted the feasibility of such a grand undertaking. The photos reveal the impressive excavation work that has already been done, with miles of deep trenches carved into the mountains to make way for the city. Pendleton confidently stated that "Neom is real, part 12", referring to the ongoing progress of the project. The photos also showcase the massive amounts of sand that have been moved to create space for the planned "hidden marina".
The Line is expected to be home to nine million residents and will feature two 1,600ft-tall mirrored buildings, making them the 12th tallest in the world and the third highest in Saudi Arabia. The city's design aims to incorporate nature, with trees climbing over the buildings and state-of-the-art architecture. The goal is for the city to be fully powered by renewable energy.
Pendleton also revealed that over 100 million cubic metres of sand have already been moved, highlighting the magnitude of the project. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who initiated this mega sci-fi project, envisions The Line to be as iconic and timeless as the Pyramids of Egypt, while also prioritizing the well-being of its residents. He hopes for construction to be completed by 2030, but experts have warned that it could take up to 50 years.
The Line is not without its challenges and criticisms. The cost of the project is estimated to be around £800 billion, and securing investments from foreign countries may prove to be difficult due to ongoing human rights concerns. Additionally, there have been reports of forced removal of tribes from the area and the fatal shooting of a resident by security forces.
Bird experts have also raised concerns about the impact of The Line on migratory birds. The city's tall glass buildings and windmills could pose a serious threat to millions of birds that migrate between Europe and Africa each year. Professor William Sutherland from Cambridge University's zoology department has warned that the city's design, with its reflective surfaces, could potentially cause harm to these birds if appropriate measures are not taken.
Despite these challenges, the creators of The Line remain determined to see their vision come to life. They hope for the city to not only provide thousands of new jobs and reduce the nation's reliance on oil, but also to serve as a model for sustainable and futuristic living. The Line may be a massive undertaking, but it has the potential to change the landscape of Saudi Arabia and redefine modern living.
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