Saudi Arabia is building a line-shaped city called "The Line" as part of its NEOM project, a futuristic mega-city that aims to revolutionize urban living. The project, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in 2021, envisions a 170-kilometer-long city with no cars or roads, where residents can travel the entire city in 20 minutes via a high-speed train and access all daily needs within a 5-minute walk. The city will be 200 meters wide and 500 meters high, surrounded by mirror walls, and will be home to 9 million people. The project's designers claim it will be a sustainable and efficient solution to urban living, but critics argue that the rigid, linear design is unnatural and may not be the best solution for the future. The project's name, NEOM, is derived from the Greek word for "new" and the initial of the prince's name, and its designers aim to create a new wonder of the world.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Saudi Arabia is building a line-shaped city called "The Line" as part of a 2030 vision.
2. The project was launched in January 2021 by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
3. The city will be 170 kilometers long and 200 meters wide, with a height of 500 meters.
4. The city will have no cars or roads, and a high-speed train will travel the entire city in 20 minutes.
5. Residents will be able to meet all their needs within a 5-minute walk.
6. The city will be built with mirror walls that will reflect light and create a unique visual effect.
7. The project is part of a larger development called NEOM, which includes a community, an airport, and other infrastructure.
8. The name "NEOM" comes from the Greek word for "new" and the Arabic word for "future".
9. The project is expected to be completed by 2030, despite expert estimates that it will take at least 50 years.
10. The city will be built in the Tabuk region of Saudi Arabia, near the Red Sea.
11. The project's design is inspired by the Pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China.
12. The city will be designed to be energy-efficient and sustainable, with a focus on artificial intelligence and automation.
13. The project has been criticized for its unusual design and potential environmental impact.
14. The city will be home to 9 million people and will be designed to be a "savior model for the future of the world".
15. The project's budget and cost have not been publicly disclosed.
16. The project is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on oil.
17. The city will be built in a straight line, with no curves or bends, and will be surrounded by high walls.
18. The project's design has been compared to a "stick" or a "ruler", with some critics arguing that it is not a natural or organic shape for a city.