Saudi Arabia is rewriting the rules of urban planning, and it’s doing it with a voracious appetite for steel. The Line, the linear city which extends for 170 kilometers in the desert, is consuming 20% of the world's production of this metal. It's a dizzying figure, especially when you consider that this project alone exceeds the consumption of the entire American industry. But what's behind this insatiable hunger? The Line is not just a building project: it is the materialization of a bold vision, maybe too much, of the future of cities.
Following the project and witnessing its ferocious growth (I can't think of any other terms), I ask myself and I ask you: are we witnessing the birth of an engineering miracle or a monument to human hubris? Probably both.
A vertical colossus that “eats” steel
In the heart of the Saudi desert, a line of steel stretches toward the horizon, consuming resources at a rate that defies imagination. The Line, an integral part of the megaproject Neom, is devouring an amount of steel that leaves you amazed.
According to the data of the World Steel, in 2023 the world produced approximately 1,9 billion tons of crude steel. Of these, Neom consumed 20%, or approximately 380 million tons.
To understand the extent of this consumption, just consider that the entire United States used only 104 million tons in 2022. In practice, Neom's appetite is 3,65 times larger than that of the world's largest economy. A fact that makes us reflect on the titanic scale of the project and its implications for the global economy and the environment.
Saudi ambition takes shape
Neom It's the futuristic dream of the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). With an area of 26.500 square kilometers, It is 24 times larger than Hong Kong. The Line, in particular, promises to be a vertical city without cars, roads or carbon emissions, stretching 170km and home to up to 9 million people.
“Neom will be the largest customer in the next decade. If you look at our logistics demand, it represents 5% of the global logistics market,” he said. Manar Al Moneef, Chief Investment Officer of Neom.
Mammoth numbers for a project that moves forward regardless of enormous logistical difficulties and with mechanical few ethical obstacles. What will be the consequences of this voracity of resources on our planet?
The Line, a plethora of megaprojects in the desert
The Line is not the only pharaonic project within Neom. There are also:
- Sindalah: a seahorse-shaped island;
- Troyena: a desert ski resort that will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games;
- Oxagon: a floating port city;
Other projects under construction bear the names of Xaynor, Gidori, Leyja, epicon, Aquellum e Let's go, diversified hubs of what will be a true city-state. Each of these projects contributes to the huge demand for building materials, especially steel, which will position Neom as one of the largest buyers for decades to come.
The challenges of a (too?) big dream
Despite the ambition and resources invested, not everything is going according to plan. The Line, Originally intended to be completed by 2045, it is now expected to reach just 5 km by 2030. This slowdown raises questions about the long-term viability of the project and its economic and environmental sustainability.
Il Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia is also preparing other major events such as Expo 2030 and 2034 World Cup in Riyadh, which led to the rescheduling of some Neom projects.
The Line: An Uncertain Future for a Steel Dream
What is the real price of this vision? The massive consumption of steel is not only a question of resources, but also of CO2 emissions and environmental impact.
Of course, if The Line really succeeds in creating a sustainable city for millions of people, it could represent a revolutionary model for future urbanization. A model that is not replicable in itself, let's be clear, but a "gym" to test solutions and technologies, yes. The question is: are we sure that the benefits will outweigh the costs?
Whether or not The Line achieves its goals, it has already left an indelible mark on the global steel market and the collective imagination. It remains to be seen whether this line in the desert will chart a path to a sustainable future or remain a monument to the boundless ambitions of an era—or rather, one person.