Scaling Back of Neom’s “The Line” Project in Saudi Arabia

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Plans for Neom’s ambitious “The Line,” a zero-carbon city in Saudi Arabia, have been revised, scaling back its initial scope significantly.

Originally intended to stretch 105 miles (170km), The Line is now projected to cover just a mile and a half (2.4km) by 2030, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Officials anticipate that The Line will accommodate fewer than 300,000 residents by 2030, a substantial reduction from the initial plan to house 1.5 million people.

Since its unveiling in 2021, The Line has faced criticism despite assertions from Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and involved architects that the project was feasible.

Prince Mohammed expressed confidence in the project’s viability, emphasizing its scale, economic potential, and innovative approach to urban development in a Discovery Channel documentary titled “The Line: Saudi Arabia’s City of the Future in Neom.”

The decision to scale down The Line is attributed to delays in approving the Neom 2024 budget by Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund. Additionally, one of The Line’s contractors has begun laying off workers at the site.

Giles Pendleton, The Line’s chief operating officer, recently shared updated images on LinkedIn, showcasing progress at the giga-project. His message aimed to address skeptics by highlighting the ongoing work across the expansive construction site.

Jean S. April 16, 2024