The Line, the car-free city of the future, emerges from the Saudi desert

In the northwest of Saudi Arabia, the first foundations of The Line, the car-free megacity, are beginning to emerge from the desert sands.

New photos published on LinkedIn by Giles Pendleton, the project’s Chief Operating Officer, show the progress of the construction site of The Line as part of NEOM, one of the flagship projects of the kingdom’s Vision 2030.

These images, taken from a helicopter, reveal a vast, straight trench with concrete walls, in which several pipes have already been installed. The site is bustling with cranes and heavy trucks, while construction sites multiply, especially around the port of Oxagon and a large logistics camp along the Gulf of Aqaba.

Designed as a linear city 170 kilometers long, The Line consists of two parallel skyscrapers 500 meters tall. It represents a radical break from the traditional urban model. No individual vehicles will circulate on the surface: movement will be exclusively on foot, by bike, or via high-speed underground public transport systems.

The NEOM Mirage?

The initial concept is said to have been conceived by the American studio Morphosis, while the first phase – dubbed Hidden Marina – is being designed by the Austrian firm Delugan Meissl Associated Architects, in collaboration with the giant Gensler. This first segment of the city will host 200,000 inhabitants, 9,000 hotel rooms, shops, schools, and emergency services.

However, while the construction fascinates with its technological ambition, it also raises numerous criticisms. NGOs and human rights organizations denounce the expulsions of local populations and the working conditions on site. Moreover, the actual ecological footprint of such a construction raises questions, despite official rhetoric on sustainability.

Despite these controversies, the construction is progressing. NEOM, of which The Line is the centerpiece, illustrates Riyadh’s desire to diversify its economy and redefine its image on the international stage. It remains to be seen whether this futuristic city will truly emerge from the desert… or if it will remain a utopia on paper.

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