JAKARTA – Saudi Arabia has announced a significant reduction in its ambitious plans for The Line, a futuristic linear megacity that was meant to stretch 100 miles through the desert as part of the kingdom’s massive economic transformation initiative.

From Megacity to Modest Development

The project, which forms a crucial component of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salama’s Vision 2030 initiative, has been substantially downsized. Originally designed to accommodate 9 million residents—more than a quarter of Saudi Arabia’s entire population—the revised plans now target just 300,000 people in a development spanning only a few miles.

A Saudi government official acknowledged the financial realities at a recent investment conference in Riyadh, noting that excessive spending and an unsustainable pace of development had created budget deficits, necessitating a strategic reassessment of priorities.

The Original Vision

The Line was conceived as a revolutionary urban development along the Red Sea coast within the Neom project area. The original concept featured:

• A car-free, emission-free environment
• Complete reliance on renewable energy sources
• Preservation of 95% of natural land
• Twin structures rising 500 meters high, spanning 200 meters wide and 170 kilometers long

Economic Pressures Force Change

The scaling back reflects broader financial challenges facing the kingdom. When Vision 2030 launched in 2016, oil traded around $100 per barrel. Current prices remain significantly lower, and petroleum still represents half of the Saudi economy.

Jerry Inzerillo, a senior advisor to the crown prince overseeing the $63 billion Diriyah development in Riyadh, characterized the shift as a necessary adjustment, explaining that lower oil revenues have compelled more conservative financial planning.

Neom’s Broader Challenges

The Line represents just one component of multiple futuristic developments planned for the Tabuk province:

Oxagon – A proposed octagonal floating industrial facility north of Duba, with initial completion targeted for 2027

Trojena – A mountain resort and skiing destination, now delayed from 2029 to 2032 for hosting the Arabian Winter Games

Sindalah – The sole completed element, a luxury island that opened in October following years of delays and cost overruns

Additional projects announced in 2023 include Leyja, Epicon, Siranna, and Utamo—none yet constructed

New Strategic Focus

According to recent reports, Saudi Arabia plans to redirect investment toward artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centers powered by traditional energy sources, moving away from some renewable energy commitments.

The Public Investment Fund has indicated that updated strategic priorities will be announced shortly, as pressure mounts to demonstrate stronger near-term financial returns. The kingdom also faces firm deadlines for new commitments, including hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which requires 11 stadiums.

Controversy and Human Cost

The Neom developments have faced criticism regarding the forced relocation of thousands of residents from designated project areas, raising questions about the social impact of these massive redevelopment schemes.

As Saudi Arabia recalibrates its development ambitions, The Line’s dramatic reduction symbolizes the challenges of balancing visionary urban planning with economic reality.

Original Article:

Independent. (2025, December 3). End of The Line? Saudi Arabia scales back plan for wildly ambitious 100-mile-long megacity in the desert. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-line-saudi-arabia-megacity-neom-b2858056.html