The Line At NEOM: What We Know So Far

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by Ashas Bukhari

The Line At NEOM: What We Know So Far

4 Mar 2024

Led by Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, NEOM is a $500 billion giga project that wants to position itself as the next big step in urban development. Part of the NEOM project is the much-vaunted Line, the first and only city in the world that is being built in a long line. The Line will be 500 m tall (which is higher than the Empire State Building), 200 m wide and stretch 170 kilometres over vastly different terrains. NEOM styles itself as being all about transforming the future of urban living.

NEOM combines the ancient Greek prefix "Neo", meaning "New", with the abbreviation of the Arabic word "Mostaqbal", meaning "future", reflecting the Crown Prince's commitment to innovative solutions for the challenges of modern urban life.

In this article, we will look at some of the technical intricacies that underpin the development of NEOM.

Where is NEOM?

NEOM is located on the Red Sea coast, spanning an area of approximately 263,000 hectares, roughly the size of a small English county, but not all of that land will be inhabited by people. Much of that land will be reserved for nature, providing the residents of The Line with a stunning view. Neom is located in Tabuk, the northwestern region of Saudi Arabia, and extends along the Gulf of Aqaba. Its terrain includes mountains as high as 2,600 m, a 468 km coastline with beaches and coral reefs, and many deserts.

Infrastructure and transportation

The Line, one of NEOM’s star attractions, will be run on 100 per cent renewable energy, and 95 per cent of the land will be preserved for nature. What makes The Line novel is that the city is being built around the concept of prioritising health and well-being over infrastructure requirements. Anyone who has lived their lives in a smog-infested megalopolis will appreciate this aim. The Line’s small footprint aims at maximising exposure to nature, with nine million people living in only thirty-four square kilometres. This is possible because of the horizontal design of the city.

But NEOM is not just a single smart city but a whole region with multiple cities, resorts, and developments. The developers have big plans, with approximately ten projects or regions. Saudi Arabia has already announced some of the details of four projects, generating a lot of excitement.

Four of these expected ten projects are Oxagon, Trojena, Sindalah, and The Line, which are seeing impressive development.

The first project is Hexagon, which is an octagon-shaped floating port. It is going to be the next-gen industrial centre of NEOM.

Next, The Arabian Peninsula will soon have its first major outdoor skiing destination, Trojena. If things go according to plan, we will witness the opening of an outdoor skiing destination (yes, you read that right) in 2026. And guess what? Trojena has already won the bid to host the Asian Winter Games 2029. In winter, the temperature drops to zero in the highest mountain ranges of Saudi Arabia, where it is located. Although it does not naturally snow that much there, that has not put off the Saudi government. They are planning to make snow for the complete skiing experience.

This is, however, only the tip of the iceberg, and there is so much more to explore in NEOM. But for now, we will stick to some of the more interesting technological innovations planned for this city of tomorrow. Let us talk about NEOM's incredible vision.

NEOM Vision

NEOM aims to position itself as a worldwide hub for energy, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and tourism industries. It is all about using cutting-edge technology and innovative designs while honouring Arabian customs and hospitality.

This project is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on oil revenue. NEOM sets new standards for city planning and development as it emerges as a global destination.

NEOM Investment

The NEOM project is huge, with the Saudi government and international investors pouring hundreds of billions of dollars. They aim to attract foreign direct investment and create job opportunities for Saudi nationals and expats alike.

Moreover, NEOM has taken a bold and innovative step by launching the Neom Investment Fund (NIF) to accelerate the project's growth across various sectors. This fund will foster job creation and align with the broader visions of Saudi Vision 2030.

Environmental Sustainability

NEOM is going all out when it comes to environmental sustainability. The city aims to power itself entirely through renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. That is a massive step towards reducing carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

Technology Integration

NEOM Saudi Line City is taking full advantage of the latest technology to improve its residents' lives. They are incorporating smart sensors, IoT devices, and AI-driven analytics into the city's infrastructure. This means they can optimise resource usage, enhance safety, and provide personalised services. NEOM is set to host a wide array of cognitive technology to build an ecosystem of sustainable solutions encompassing every aspect of life.

Cognitive technology refers to automating menial tasks, leaving human minds free to explore, create and imagine. NEOM’s use of this technology aims to "unburden" its residents and make their daily lives seamless. To achieve this, NEOM’s builders, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, hope to woo business and technology leaders and innovators worldwide. The aim is to revolutionise how people connect, commute, communicate, work, and enjoy life in the city of tomorrow.

Cognitive technology is a broad category that encompasses algorithms, robotic process automation, machine learning, natural language processing, and natural language generation. It is a subset of the broader field of artificial intelligence with an emphasis on "thinking" machines. The building blocks of cognitive technology are data. NEOM aims to collect data in a respectful and collaborative manner that builds trust and fuels growth. This dedication to individual privacy is a step in the right direction, and in a world where corporations are greedy for larger and larger training sets, it sets a good precedent.

Tonomus, the first subsidiary of NEOM, is primarily in charge of bringing in cognitive solutions aimed at shaping how people will live not only in NEOM, but around the world in the future. They aim to bridge the digital divide and use NEOM as a cornerstone to integrate cognitive technology more seamlessly into our daily lives. These cognitive technologies will offer unprecedented levels of cybersecurity and next-generation entertainment opportunities and be part of what the company calls a "human-centric" cognitive experience.

NEOM symbolises progress and innovation in the 21st century. With meticulous planning, technological advancements, and a strong commitment to sustainability, this city is redefining how we live, work, and interact with our environment.

Something big is happening in NEOM right now, in 2024. Despite the criticism and challenges, the Saudi government has pushed on by addressing concerns and finding ways to mitigate adverse effects, thus improving the prospects of the project’s long-term feasibility. Overall, NEOM represents a bold vision for the future of urban development.

by Ashas Bukhari