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Saudi Arabia unveils plans for vast ‘vertically layered’ buildings in zero-carbon city NEOM

‘Vertically layered communities will challenge traditional flat, horizontal cities,’ says Prince Mohammed bin Salman

World Affairs Editor, in Jeddah

Tuesday 26 July 2022 17:45 BST

NEOM’s designs for The Line

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The projected zero-carbon city of NEOM being built in Saudi Arabia will have vertical layers of buildings for work, living and leisure stretching 170 kilometres into the horizon, the kingdom’s crown prince has announced.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman declared that the project will lead to seismic changes in the way people will live in the future on “100 per cent renewable energy” in an “environment free from roads, cars and emissions”.

Speaking at an event in Jeddah showcasing the designs of The Line, Prince Mohammed said he saw the new city as a cosmopolitan centre which will be the home for more than nine million people embracing nature in an urban landscape.

The Line will eventually accommodate 9 million people and will be built over just 34 sq km — The Line will eventually accommodate 9 million people and will be built over just 34 sq km (NEOM)

Residents will have access to all facilities within a five-minute walk — Residents will have access to all facilities within a five-minute walk (NEOM)

The development will run on 100 per cent renewable energy — The development will run on 100 per cent renewable energy (NEOM)

“We cannot ignore the livability and environmental crises facing our world’s cities, and NEOM is at the forefront of delivering new and imaginative solutions to address these issues. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality,” he said.

“The city's vertically layered communities will challenge the traditional flat, horizontal cities,” the Prince said. "The designs of The Line embody how urban communities will be in the future in an environment free from roads, cars and emissions."

The site will be created by a team of world-renowned architects and engineers — The site will be created by a team of world-renowned architects and engineers (NEOM)

The Line is only 200 metres wide, 170 kilometres long and 500 metres above sea level — The Line is only 200 metres wide, 170 kilometres long and 500 metres above sea level (NEOM)

An outer mirror facade will make the structure a distinctive part of the landscape — An outer mirror facade will make the structure a distinctive part of the landscape (NEOM)

Discussions will be held with neighbouring countries to try and ensure that developments across the border do not jar with the intrinsic sense of harmony and tranquillity NEOM is striving to establish.

The 26,500 sq km development on the Red Sea is a prime focus for the kingdom’s sovereign wealth, the Public Investment Fund. But the crown prince said he expected that Saudi entrepreneurs would also want to contribute to “one of the most exciting architectural developments taking place currently in the world".

This infographic shows how The Line will fit into the wider landscape — This infographic shows how The Line will fit into the wider landscape (NEOM)