Construction has begun on The Line, Saudi Arabia’s futuristic city

Lifestyle

Real Estate

Team MONEYME|22 December 2022| 2-minute read

When The Line, a futuristic city in Saudi Arabia, was announced, some thought it was a joke. Others weren’t convinced it was possible.

However, in October, drone footage revealed construction has begun.

What is the Line?

The Line promises to “revolutionise civilisation”. 

It’s a 170-kilometre long, 200-metre wide city that will stretch from the Red Sea deep into the Saudi Arabian desert, flanked by mirrored silver walls. Construction is estimated at $725 billion.

More than 9 million people will live there across 34 square kilometres. By way of comparison, Sydney, which is home to 5.2 million people, sprawls over 12,368 square kilometres.

No cars, no road, no emissions

The Line’s biggest selling point is its eco-friendliness. There’ll be no cars and no roads. Instead, all residents will live within 5 minutes’ walk of all the amenities they need to get through each day. 

If they want to visit a friend at the other end of town, they’ll jump on underground, high-speed rail, which will travel the length of the city in just 20 minutes.

What’s more, The Line will be powered by 100% renewable energy, and will be filled with greenery, including vertical gardens, forests, waterfalls, and swimming holes. 

Flying taxis, robots, glow-in-the-dark beaches?

According to documents leaked in 2019, The Line is planning to go Jetsons-level with tech. 

Possibilities include flying taxis, robot housekeepers, glow-in-the-dark beaches, and an artificial moon. 

However, these ambitions are pending the right technological advancements.

Keen to invest? 

Construction of The Line is estimated at $725 billion. The project is owned by NEOM, a company owned and operated by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF). The PIF provides most of Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure, and is funded by the Saudi Central Bank, Saudi State Assets, and various foreign companies. 

NEOM is currently calling for investors to express interest in The Line at this page. Investors may choose from a variety of sectors, including, not only design and construction, but also education, energy, tourism, media, water, biotech, and more.

💡 Key takeaways

• Construction has begun on The Line, Saudi Arabia.
• It’s a futuristic city that’s 170 kilometres long and 200 metres wide. 
• 9 million people will live there across 34 square kilometres. 
• All residents will live within 5 minutes’ walk of all amenities, including nature.
• There’ll be no cars, no roads, and no emissions. All energy will be 100% renewable.
• The Line’s high-tech offerings may include flying taxis, robot housekeepers, glow-in-the-dark beaches, and an artificial moon.
• The Line, expected to cost $725 billion, is owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF). Expressions of interest from investors are currently open.