One hundred and fifty foundations per week, a fifth of the world's steel production, three internationally renowned architectural firms. These are the numbers that tell the story of the progress of The Line, the most ambitious megacity ever conceived by man. This "longitudinal" city that is being born amidst a thousand controversies in the desert of Saudi Arabia does not stop, on the contrary. It promises to rewrite the rules of modern urban planning, whatever it takes.
The challenge of the archistars
The American study Gensler, already known for having created the Shanghai tower, among the tallest buildings in the world (the third, to be precise), leads urban planning and design coordination. Not only that: it will also deal with transportation hubs and public spaces, such as parks and areas accessible to citizens.
The Austrian study Delugan Meissl Associated Architects instead he received the task of urban designer: will be responsible for the general concept and detailed master plan of the first phase. Their task also includes crucial aspects such as microclimate, ecology and logistics.
The British team Mott McDonald completes the trio for the development of city infrastructure. It is perhaps the most complex challenge: designing the vital systems of a futuristic metropolis in the desert, from sewerage to energy.
Megacities, the numbers of a giant
The first phase is planned to be 2,4 kilometers long, but the final project will extend for a whopping 170 kilometers. The height reaches 500 meters, with a width of 200 meters. In this initial phase, the air-conditioned city will house about 300.000 people.
The construction site of the megacity, we talked about it recently, is consuming itself one fifth of world steel production, mainly for foundations. Every week more than 120 foundations are poured into the desert ground, an impressive pace that testifies to the determination (sometimes fierce, someone reports) behind this project.
Denis Hickey, Director of Development, emphasizes:
Collaboration is at the heart of this: we will adopt city-wide best practices that show how innovation can forever change the way we think about, design and build cities.
The future takes shape
The Line project is not an isolated one: other ambitious developments are underway in Saudi Arabia, both under the aegis of Neom that independent, like Treyam, epicon e faceab. The first project Neom has already been completed: it is about Sindalah, an exclusive island resort.
The technology of tomorrow
From design to technology, from energy to mobility: every aspect of The Line is writing a new chapter in the history of architecture. Its realization represents much more than an architectural project: it is a tangible demonstration of how the urbanism of the future can take shape today, challenging the limits of what we consider possible.
Climate control, energy management and water management in a desert environment pose unprecedented technical challenges. The megacity will use cutting-edge technologies to ensure sustainability and the comfort of its inhabitants.
Even its “mirror” structure is not just an aesthetic element: it will contribute to the thermal management of the building, reflecting sunlight and helping to maintain comfortable temperatures inside. An integrated system of sensors and AI will constantly optimize energy consumption.
Mobility within the city will be completely rethought, with innovative transport systems that will allow people to travel the entire length of the structure in less time.
It's not just about building a spectacular megacity
The Line could become the model for tackling the challenges of urbanization in extreme environments. With growing population pressure and climate change, the solutions tested here could prove invaluable for the future of cities around the world. At what cost?
