August 25th 2024.
Neom, a groundbreaking megacity located in Saudi Arabia, has recently unveiled plans for an impressive development that is set to cost a staggering £800 billion. This futuristic oasis in the desert will feature two massive, mirror-encased skyscrapers that span over 170 kilometers of terrain, including both desert and mountainous regions. The project, known as The Line, aims to create a sustainable, solar-powered city that prioritizes pedestrians and green spaces while minimizing its impact on the environment.
The Line is not just any ordinary city; it is a 75-mile long, state-of-the-art metropolis that will cater to the needs of its uber-rich residents. The city will boast towering skyscrapers, an artificial mountain and ski resort, an octagonal floating port, and even a dedicated swimming lane for commuters. But that's not all; the city will also be equipped with a sophisticated network of AI and robots to serve its residents' every need. Additionally, The Line will also feature exclusive amenities such as Xaynor, a members-only beach club, and a luxury golf resort. The city's unique design will also include glass apartments that hang from a giant outcropping in the sand, creating a beautiful connection between humans and nature.
The construction of The Line is a massive undertaking, with futuristic angled glass skyscrapers lining the streets and a marina planned for its residents. As mentioned, the project comes with a hefty price tag of over £800 billion and is just one of many futuristic megacities designed for the 1% in recent years. However, these projects have had mixed results and reception. For example, in 2020, the Malaysian government announced plans for a similar island off the coast of Penang Island, which faced fierce backlash from local fishermen who feared for their livelihood and the area's fish population.
Another project, Forest City, was intended to house one million citizens on reclaimed islands but quickly turned into a ghost town and was eventually downscaled and abandoned. However, similar endeavors are currently underway in Japan, where automaker Toyota is constructing a sustainable utopian city at the foot of an active volcano. The Woven City, as it is called, is expected to have 2,000 residents by the end of the year.
Despite criticism and doubts from naysayers, The Line is steadily taking shape. Giles Pendleton, COO for the project, shared aerial images of the massive excavation lines and mountains of sand being moved to make way for the city's hidden marina. With plans to accommodate nine million residents, The Line is set to be a sci-fi looking city with impressive architecture and fully powered by renewable energy. The project's scale is evident from above, and it is hoped to become as iconic and timeless as the Pyramids of Egypt.
However, the project faces ethical challenges as it involves forcibly removing tribes from the area, and security forces were accused of shooting a resident. Additionally, experts have raised concerns about the potential harm to millions of migrating birds due to the city's design. Nevertheless, the project's creators are determined to see it through, with Prince Bin Salman ambitiously hoping for completion by 2030, although engineers believe it could take up to 50 years.
The Line is not just a city; it is a vision for a better, more sustainable future. It aims to create thousands of new jobs and reduce the nation's reliance on oil for wealth. However, investment from foreign countries may prove challenging, as many Western nations continue to boycott Saudi Arabia over human rights violations. Despite the obstacles, the construction of The Line continues, and with each passing day, it becomes more apparent that this futuristic megacity will soon be a reality.
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