What Is The Line?

The Line is a linear city concept within the NEOM mega-project in northwest Saudi Arabia. Announced in January 2021 and revealed in its current design form in July 2022, The Line proposes a 170-kilometre-long urban development consisting of two parallel mirrored buildings, each approximately 500 metres tall and 200 metres wide, running through desert, mountain, and coastal terrain. At full build-out, it is designed to accommodate 9 million residents with zero cars, zero streets, and zero direct carbon emissions.

Design Concept

The Line’s architecture fundamentally reimagines urban form. Rather than a traditional city expanding outward, The Line extends linearly, with all essential services accessible within a five-minute walk. The exterior mirrored facade reflects the surrounding desert and mountain landscape, while the interior contains layered residential, commercial, recreational, and public spaces stacked vertically.

The structure would be divided into modules, each functioning as a self-contained neighbourhood. Vertical farming, modular construction, and AI-managed systems are planned throughout. A high-speed transit system running below the structure would connect end-to-end in approximately 20 minutes.

Key Features

Zero Cars. All transportation is designed to be pedestrian, vertical (elevators and escalators within modules), or underground rail. No surface-level roads exist within The Line’s design.

100 Percent Renewable Energy. The Line targets complete reliance on renewable energy, primarily solar and wind, supplemented by green hydrogen.

Preserved Nature. Ninety-five percent of NEOM’s land is designated for nature preservation. The Line’s compact linear form is intended to minimise land use while maximising natural habitat protection.

Mixed-Use Vertical Communities. Residential units, schools, healthcare facilities, retail, entertainment venues, and workplaces are vertically integrated within each module, eliminating the need for horizontal commuting.

Construction Status

Construction commenced with extensive earthworks and foundation preparation. The initial phase focuses on a section at the eastern end near the Gulf of Aqaba. Reports indicate that the first phase may cover a shorter distance than the full 170 kilometres, with subsequent phases extending the structure over time. Tens of thousands of construction workers are deployed on site, and major contracts have been awarded to international construction firms including Bechtel, AECOM, and WSP.

The Mirror Line foundation trench has been excavated along significant portions of the initial phase. Supporting infrastructure including construction camps, roads, utilities, and a dedicated airport have been built.

Governance

The Line, as part of NEOM, falls under the NEOM Special Economic Zone, which operates under distinct regulations from the rest of Saudi Arabia. Residents and businesses would operate under NEOM’s own legal and regulatory framework, designed to be attractive to international talent and companies.

Economic Vision

The Line is intended to generate economic activity through its resident population, tourism, technology development, and the concentration of knowledge industries. The vertical integration of living and working spaces is designed to enhance productivity and reduce infrastructure costs associated with sprawling urban forms.

Criticism and Debate

The Line has generated significant international debate. Architectural critics have questioned the liveability of a 500-metre-tall, 200-metre-wide structure, particularly concerning natural light access for interior units. Engineers have raised questions about structural feasibility at the proposed scale. Environmental groups have flagged concerns about disruption to wildlife migration corridors.

Defenders argue that the concept represents necessary experimentation with new urban forms, that the full vision will evolve through iterative phases, and that conventional urban development models are unsustainable. Saudi officials have consistently affirmed commitment to the full vision while acknowledging that delivery will be phased.

Timeline

The first residents are anticipated in the initial phase, with construction expected to continue over decades for the full 170-kilometre extent. The 2029 Asian Winter Games at Trojena (nearby within NEOM) will serve as an early catalyst for infrastructure completion in the region.

The Line stands as perhaps the most audacious urban experiment ever proposed. Whether it achieves its full vision or evolves into something more modest, the project has already reshaped global conversation about the future of cities.

See also What Is NEOM? and NEOM Programme Tracker.