Saudi Arabia’s $1 Trillion Plan | Is it Really Possible? | Dhruv Rathee
Saudi Arabia is planning a massive, futuristic city called Neom, with a central project known as 'The Line'. This 170-kilometre-long city is designed to be a vertical, linear metropolis, aiming to redefine urban living with advanced technology and sustainability. With an estimated cost of $1 trillion, the project aims for completion by 2030, but questions remain about its feasibility and impact.
Saudi Arabia's Economic Diversification
Saudi Arabia, often associated with deserts and oil, is geographically diverse with mountains and volcanic fields. Economically, it's the largest in the Middle East and 18th globally, but heavily reliant on oil exports. As the world seeks to reduce oil dependency, Saudi Arabia is keen to diversify its economy, much like the UAE did with Dubai as a tourism hub. This ambition is encapsulated in 'Saudi Vision 2030', a plan to develop sectors like health, education, infrastructure, and tourism, while boosting non-oil exports.
Introducing Neom and Its Projects
Neom is a key part of Saudi Vision 2030, a vast smart city development in the country's northwest, covering approximately 26,500 square kilometres. This area boasts a more moderate climate compared to other desert regions. The name 'Neom' itself is derived from 'neo' (new) and 'm' (representing Mohammed bin Salman and 'mustaqbal', the Arabic word for future). The region is planned to host ten distinct projects, with four already announced:
- Oxagon: An octagonal industrial port city designed as a next-generation industrial centre.
- Trojena: Set to be the first major outdoor skiing destination in the Arabian Peninsula, scheduled to open in 2026. It will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, despite winter temperatures often dropping below freezing.
- Sindalah: A luxury resort complex located on an island, expected to open in 2024, accommodating around 2,400 guests.
- The Line: The most ambitious project, a 170km-long linear city, with construction already underway.
The Concept of 'The Line'
The concept of a linear city isn't new, with similar ideas proposed in the past but lacking the resources for implementation. 'The Line' draws inspiration from 'Archology' (architecture + ecology), a concept focused on creating densely populated cities that minimise environmental damage. The idea is to build a city within a 170km by 200m footprint, housing 9 million people, significantly reducing the urban sprawl compared to cities like New York.
Key Takeaways
- Vertical Living: The city is designed with multiple vertical layers to allow movement in three dimensions.
- Zero Gravity Urbanism: A term used to describe the multi-layered movement within the city.
- Renewable Energy: Developers claim Neom will be powered by 100% renewable energy (solar, wind, hydrogen).
- Car-Free Transport: No roads or cars are planned; instead, high-speed transport will connect the ends of the 170km line.
- Convenience: All daily needs are intended to be within a five-minute walk.
- Climate Control: Internal climate control is planned for consistent conditions.
- Strategic Location: Proximity to a new airport aims to place 40% of the world within a six-hour flight.
- AI Integration: Artificial intelligence is planned to be integrated into daily life for personalised services.
Challenges and Criticisms
Several significant challenges face 'The Line' project:
Financial Hurdles
The project is financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), estimated to have $620 billion. However, this fund is heavily dependent on oil prices, which are volatile. Even if the entire PIF capital were used, it might not be enough, with estimates suggesting the total cost could reach $1 trillion. Attracting foreign investment has also proven difficult.
Technological Gaps
Realising 'The Line' requires technologies that do not yet exist. The proposed high-speed transport system, aiming for end-to-end travel in 20 minutes (over 500 km/h), surpasses current Maglev train capabilities. The 500-meter-high glass facades also present unprecedented engineering challenges.
Environmental Impact
While claiming minimal environmental impact, the construction of 500-meter-high glass buildings over 170km will require vast amounts of steel, glass, and concrete, potentially releasing 1.8 billion tons of CO2. The glass facades could also pose a danger to migratory birds and disrupt animal movement.
Architectural and Social Concerns
The linear design, while saving land, could lead to inefficiencies and a single point of failure in its transportation system. Furthermore, the prospect of constant surveillance and a completely artificial living environment raises concerns about it becoming a dystopian rather than a desirable place to live.
Given these substantial challenges, 'The Line' project, while visionary, faces a high probability of remaining a dream rather than a reality. Saudi Arabia's previous attempt to build a taller structure than the Burj Khalifa was also abandoned, highlighting the difficulties in realising such mega-projects.
