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Modular construction is driving Saudi Arabia’s NEOM mega-project forward, but lack of appetite for spending may slow it down.
Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plan for a 170-km-long mirrored skyscraper, dubbed the Line, has reportedly been scaled down in its initial phase. According to a Bloomberg report, authorities are concerned about the financial viability of the project due to the lack of outside investment and the immense costs involved.
The Line is now set to commence with a significantly reduced length of 2.4 km, as opposed to the originally planned 170 km. The initial structure will stand 500 m tall and 200 m wide, with completion targeted for 2030. While the modular construction project was always intended to be developed in phases, this reduction marks a considerable shift from the original vision.
Additionally, the population capacity for the first phase has been revised from the projected 1.5 million to under 300,000 residents. The plan is for the Line to gradually expand, incorporating new residential areas, businesses, and tourist attractions, all monitored by AI systems and surveillance to manage energy requirements.
See the vision of Saudi Arabia’s futuristic city
Despite the downsizing, the Line remains an ambitious undertaking, as highlighted in recent construction videos. However, the scale-back raises questions about the feasibility of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision for a futuristic city in the desert, designed to accommodate 9 million people.
See: https://www.neom.com/en-us/regions/theline/progress-updates
