Revolutionizing Urban Living: Discover Saudi Arabia's NEOM and THE LINE Project
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by Unboxify,
3 min reading time
# The Future of Urban Living: Saudi Arabia’s Bold NEOM Project
## Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Unveiled 🌍
In January of this year, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced an ambitious new development project designed to redefine the future of Saudi Arabia and the world. The Kingdom aims to build a city that stretches along a single, unbroken 100-mile line, marking a groundbreaking step in the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative.
### Saudi Vision 2030: Diversifying the Economy
Saudi Arabia is heavily reliant on its oil industry, holding the second-largest oil reserves on the planet. Although this sector has been a significant driver of its economy, the government recognizes the inherent risks of this dependency. Thus, Saudi Vision 2030 is a strategic initiative to diversify the economy. The focus areas include:
Large infrastructure projects
Education
Scientific research
Healthcare
Tourism
### Introducing THE LINE: A Linear City of the Future 🌆
As part of the NEOM mega-project, THE LINE is a city built along a 100-mile straight line. Located in the Tabuk Province near the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea, NEOM aims to replicate the tourist success of Sharm el Sheikh on the opposite side of the Straits of Tiran.
#### The Concept of the Linear City
THE LINE is designed to enhance sustainability and livability through a unique three-level structure:
Ground Level: A complete pedestrian zone with green parks encourages walking and leisure activities.
Service Level: Hosts shops and commercial spaces.
Spine Level: An underground level for ultra high-speed transit, ensuring rapid travel across the city within 20 minutes.
The entire city will run on clean energy sources like solar, wind, and hydrogen-based power, aiming to minimize the need for personal cars.
### History and Inspirations 🌟
The linear city concept isn't entirely novel. Historic instances include:
Arturo Soria y Mata’s Plans (1880s): Aimed to balance urban and rural life.
Nikolai Milijutin's Soviet Designs: Partially implemented in Volgograd and Magnitogorsk.
Brasilia, Brazil: Created with a central axis to symbolize modernity but criticized for its high prices and car dependency.
NEOM aims to overcome these challenges by eliminating the need for cars and focusing on sustainability.
## The NEOM Project: A Mega-Investment 🚀
The Saudi Arabian government has pledged to invest $500 billion in the NEOM project. Initial efforts have already borne fruit, with the development of NEOM BAY, featuring luxurious apartments and hotels, and the newly inaugurated NEOM BAY airport.
### Challenges and Criticisms 💬
Despite its promising vision, NEOM faces several controversial issues:
Human Rights Concerns: Forced displacement of the al-Huwaitat tribe calls for UN investigation.
Design Criticisms: The linear format may lack natural city growth and landscape integration.
International Doubts: Adoption of modern laws might not align with the country's conservative legal principles.
However, the city also serves as a campaign to improve the global image of Saudi Arabia, especially following controversies linked to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
### Legal and Economic Framework 🌐
To attract global investors, NEOM is planned as a free trade zone with its own tax and legal systems, akin to the UAE’s separate courts for international standards within the Dubai International Financial Center.
## Conclusion: The Future of Urbanization 🛤️
NEOM, particularly THE LINE, aims to be a revolutionary model of sustainable and futuristic urban living. While the project garners global interest, it also sparks debates over human rights, natural growth, and feasibility. Time will tell if this bold venture will reshape our cities and our future, proving that innovation can harmonize with the needs of its residents.
