Here’s Proof That Neom, the Futuristic Project in the Middle of the Desert, Is Far From Dead: It Consumes 20% of the World’s Steel
Neom’s consumption of steel is approximately 3.65 times that of the entire U.S.
At the beginning of the year, Neom was in the news almost every week. Renders, videos, and various information created significant buzz about the ambitious project Saudi Arabia was undertaking: a futuristic urban area in the middle of the desert. However, as months passed, the project appeared to stall. The latest updates focused on influencers “selling” a lifestyle in the early stages of the project, which didn’t reflect well. Now, new information provides a broader perspective on the project’s activity.
The news. Recent data on the construction of The Line, a linear smart city, has just been released. This information highlights the enormous challenge of transforming a vast expanse of inhospitable desert into an urban area reminiscent of a science fiction novel. Notably, it consumes one-fifth of the world’s steel.
The Line is arguably the most crucial element of Saudi Arabia’s Neom project. It’s part of a larger initiative to shift the country’s predominantly oil-based economy towards one focused on luxury tourism, especially as fossil fuel consumption presumably declines in the coming years.
Context of an unprecedented development. Spanning 10,232 square miles in the northwestern part of the country along the Red Sea coast, Neom is surrounded by an ambitious $1.5 trillion project moving forward at breakneck speed to create a new way of life.
The plan for The Line is to stretch over an area of 105 miles, although its first phase, scheduled for completion in 2030, will cover “only” 1.5 miles. Regardless, it will be a staggering achievement, planned to reach a height of 1,640 feet and a width of 656 feet. A mirrored exterior, not without controversy, will enclose the project. The Line will house an air-conditioned city of around 300,000 people, featuring AI technology and extensive surveillance to monitor everything from garbage collection to water usage.
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