The world’s first zero-gravity vertical city at neom, saudi arabia
Plans for THE LINE, a 170 kilometer network of villages connected without the use of automobiles or roads, were unveiled by Saudi Arabia in 2021 (see earlier coverage here). With the unveiling of THE LINE’s designs, Crown Prince and NEOM Board of Directors Chairman His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman has provided a more thorough look at the key features of the first zero-gravity vertical metropolis in history. Only 200 meters wide, 170 kilometers long, and 500 meters above sea level, the smart city will be situated in NEOM, a destination being constructed in the Tabuk Province in northwest Saudi Arabia.
“We committed to a civilizational revolution that prioritizes people based on a radical shift in urban planning at THE LINE’s launch last year,” Mohammed bin Salman, HRH Crown Prince, stated. The plans unveiled today for the city’s vertically tiered neighborhoods would put typical flat, horizontal cities to the test and provide a blueprint for better human livability and environmental preservation. THE LINE will address the issues that people face in today’s metropolitan environment and shed light on different lifestyle options.
THE LINE’S designs reveal a fresh perspective on urban planning
THE LINE’s designs showcase NEOM’s vision for the future of metropolitan communities—one devoid of automobiles, roads, and pollutants. When compared to other cities of comparable size, the city’s 34 square kilometer footprint is unprecedented, and it is expected to eventually house nine million people. As a result, the infrastructure footprint will be less and city operations will become more efficient than previously. THE LINE will operate entirely on renewable energy, putting people’s health and welfare ahead of infrastructure and transit. Key amenities will always be within five minutes’ walk thanks to hyper-proximity engineering, which also includes a high-speed rail system with a 20-minute end-to-end transit time. However, never is never more than two minutes away, and, in fact, the design plans to preserve 95% of NEOM’s land.
THE LINE offers a fresh take on urban planning, based on the notion of Zero Gravity Urbanism, which involves layering city operations vertically while allowing individuals to move freely in three dimensions (up, down, or across) to reach them. The vertical layering of public parks, pedestrian zones, schools, residences, and workplaces enables people to walk freely and get to all daily necessities in five minutes. A mirror veneer will cover the city’s outside, giving it a distinctive look and enabling it to blend in with the surrounding landscape. Under the direction of NEOM, a group of internationally recognized architects and engineers will design its interior, which is “built to create extraordinary experiences and magical moments.”
bringing the concept of building upwards to life
By greatly developing building technology and manufacturing processes, the city’s design will be fully digitalized and the construction will be heavily industrialized. In addition to the launch of two of NEOM’s subsidiaries, ENOWA, its energy, water, and hydrogen company, and the NEOM Tech & Digital Company, the announcement of THE LINE’s designs is a continuation of NEOM’s progress in developing its flagship projects, including OXAGON, its reimagined manufacturing and innovation city, and TROJENA, its global mountain tourism destination that will offer the first outdoor skiing in the Arabian Gulf.
“We cannot overlook the environmental and livability crises that our world’s cities are facing, and NEOM is leading the way in providing innovative and creative solutions to address these issues,” Mohammed bin Salman, HRH Crown Prince, says. To bring the concept of building higher to life, NEOM is spearheading a group of the most talented individuals in the fields of design, engineering, and construction. Everyone from all over the world will be able to leave their mark on the planet in original and creative ways there. One of Saudi Vision 2030’s most significant initiatives is still NEOM, and we are steadfast in our will to deliver THE LINE on behalf of the country.