What is NEOM The Line Project?

NEOM The Line project is a cognitive city planned in NEOM futuristic city, spanning 170 kilometers, 200 meters wide, and 500 meters above sea level. It is envisioned to redefine urban development with no roads, cars, or emissions and will be powered with 100% renewable energy. It is being designed and developed on the concept of zero-gravity urbanism, which showcases a vertical layer urban design, packing the residential, commercial, and transportation altogether, making it accessible and, thus, improving overall sustainability.

It is a flagship project by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman under Saudi Vision 2030 development plans. This city is planned to accommodate 9 million people and infrastructure that supports co-living with nature and essentials within a vicinity of a five-minute walk. It features high-speed rail support with a transit time of 20 minutes.

Initially, it was planned as a 170-kilometer-long linear city, one of the upcoming construction projects in Saudi Arabia. Due to several reasons and challenges, the Line project has been downsized to 2.4 kilometers, accommodating fewer than 300,000 residents by 2030.

Project Background

The population of Saudi Arabia is expected to rise from 33 million to about 50 to 55 million by 2030. To meet the growing population, visionary Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced NEOM the Line on 10th January 2021. It is a futuristic linear glass city designed as a revolution in urban living to meet the urban living problems of overpopulation and pollution, predominantly to shift Saudi Arabia's oil-based economy towards tourism.

NEOM the Line is designed to tackle urban environment challenges and create a city with the vibrancy of city living and tranquillity of green space. Initially planned as a 170-kilometer-long linear city, in April 2024, the project was downsized to 2.4 km. This downsizing is due to several factors, such as challenges in attracting foreign investments and several delays in project implementation.

On 30th January 2025, NEOM Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez and Chief Development Officer Denis Hickey gave an update about the four major projects in NEOM Megacity. Referring to the Line project, he announced the line project might take a 100-year time frame to construct & populate. It will be built in phases or with a shorter length (2.4 km) compared to the initial plan of 170 km.  

Project Location

NEOM the Line was planned as a linear stretch of 170 kilometers from the Red Sea Coast to Tabuk, which was later downsized to 2.4 km in 2024. It is planned in the NEOM megacity. The location makes it accessible for 40% of the global population to reach NEOM within six hours through flight.

The Line Cost

As of 2024, the estimated cost of the NEOM futuristic megacity is about USD 1-1.5 trillion. Earlier, the project cost for NEOM the Line was USD 100-200 billion. It is funded on behalf of the Government of Saudi Arabia by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). It is the sovereign wealth fund that is playing a key role in funding the overall NEOM project. His Royal Highness, Prince Mohamed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz AL Saud, is the Chairman of the PIF.

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Project Timeline

NEOM The Line Architecture & Specifications

NEOM the Line project is a new-age project designed as a linear city using AI technologies, such as digital twin technology that makes it different from traditional architectural constructions.

NEOM The Line Design

The Line is planned and built as a linear city that is 170 kilometers long. It is being developed using artificial intelligence digital twin construction technology and will be housed with an elegant mirror glass facade.

NEOM The Line Architecture

The Line project is designed based on the concept of zero-gravity urbanism. This concept showcases vertical layer urban design, packing the residential, commercial, and transportation all together, making accessibility easier for the residents than traditional design.

NEOM The Line Dimensions

The Line megacity dimensions are 500 meters tall, 200 meters wide, and 170 kilometers long. 

Transport Accessibility

The Line smart city is envisioned with no cars to ensure zero emissions. Supporting this vision, NEOM the Line features a high-speed rail system that will allow commuters to cover the entire city stretch in just 20 minutes. 

Powered by Renewable Energy

The entire city will be powered by 100% renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, and green hydrogen. 

Also Read: NEOM Green Hydrogen Project I World's Largest Green H2 Facility

Contractors of Phase 1

To track the latest developments in NEOM the line, subscribe to Blackridge’s Saudi Arabia construction projects database.

Investors

It is funded by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign fund of Saudi Arabia, backed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.  It is also financed by the NEOM Investment Fund (NIF), another wing supporting NEOM's 14 sectors, such as manufacturing, water, technology, design & construction, food, energy, research & Innovation, tourism, mobility, Financial Services, Health & Wellbeing.  

NEOM The Line Project Update 

2025

On 30th January 2025, NEOM Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez and Chief Development Officer Denis Hickey gave an update about the four major projects in NEOM Megacity. The Line project will take a 100-year timeframe to construct and populate. The Line will be built in phases or with a shorter length compared to the initial plan of 170 km, confirming the downsizing of the Line to 2.4 km.

The Line project downsized to 2.4 km

In April 2024, sources close to the NEOM Line project speculated about the downsizing of 170 km to 2.4 km. The reasons that led to this decision are known to be challenges in attracting foreign investment, budget constraints, and unwilling delays in the project execution, which led to a revision of the targets. It was planned to accommodate nine million residents but is now anticipated to accommodate fewer than 300,000 residents by 2030.

2024

As of 17th October 2024, Saudi Arabian authorities have commissioned a SAR 700 million concrete multi-plant factory. This factory will produce up to 20,000 cubic meters of concrete per day. Most of the concrete produced will be used in the Line smart city project, and the remainder in other ongoing NEOM projects.

NEOM the Line's recent project update is that 100,000 workers are working on excavation and earthwork under phase 1 of NEOM the Line. About 1,000 out of 30,000 foundation piles have been placed so far. This project is reported to be using one-fifth of the entire world's currently available steel.

The Line Finish Date

The Line project construction is underway, with the initial plan of 170 km long linear city, the project had a timeframe of 100 years, however, with a recent downsize to 2.4 km with a plan to accommodate 300,000 residents, it is expected to be completed by 2030.

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Benefits

Zero-carbon Emissions: The energy & water supply will be powered by 100% renewable energy. Additionally, high-speed rail replacing cars ensures zero carbon emissions.

Co-living with Nature: The Line architecture is designed to integrate green spaces with the city, providing a co-living environment for residents. 

Economic Shift: Saudi Arabia is an oil-based economy. The Line ensures diversification of the economy, shifting from oil to tourism and attracting new investments.

AI-Driven Smart City: The city is designed and planned using AI technologies, simplifying residents' lives.

Conclusion 

The Line is an ambitious project that will be known as one of the important milestones for its zero-gravity urban space in the future of Saudi Arabia, the Middle East. Planned as 500m tall, 200 m wide, and 170 km long, the line project is complemented with high-speed rails, omitting the use of cars and ensuring zero emission. Energy and water supplies are 100% renewable, and its location allows accessibility easier, covering 40% of the world within 6 hours.

Also Read: All You Need To Know About NEOM Project in Saudi Arabia

FAQ’S

What is THE LINE of NEOM?

The Line is a part of NEOM, the futuristic city. The name The Line is due to its linear architecture that is 170 kilometres long and will accommodate 9 million people. It is a flagship project under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. Envisioned by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, it is a smart city planned without cars and carbon emissions, powered by 100% renewable energy.

Is NEOM a 15-minute city?

NEOM the line is built as a linear city featuring a high-speed rail, allowing commuters to cover the entire city in just 20 minutes.  

How many people can live in The Line?

The Line is planned to accommodate about 9 million people with all the amenities available within a 5-minute walk.

How tall is NEOM The Line?

NEOM the Line is 500 meters tall, 200 meters wide, and 170 kilometers long. Its structures are housed in a mirror glass facade.

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