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The unbelievable is happening: sustainable, high-tech megacity in the desert is being made by Saudi Arabia
Recently, drone videos shared on social media show excavators digging a straight hole in the middle of the desert, already shaped like the construction of the ambitious and controversial city “The Line”, which will be the largest project in Saudi Arabia and possibly the world. Announced in 2017, the project was initially viewed with skepticism, being considered by many as a utopia taken from a science fiction film. However, over these five years, the plan advanced quickly, generating doubts and expectations, according to the video on the Urbana channel.
“The Line” in the Saudi Arabian desert will have 170 km long, 500 meters high and 200 meters wide. However, images of the initial excavation do not exactly match these measurements, raising the possibility that this first excavation is preparatory to the high-speed transportation system that will be built the length of the city.
Capacity of 9 million people in the desert city
Designed for shelter 9 million people, the city of Saudi Arabia will run entirely on renewable energy sources, including wind and solar farms. The water will be obtained from a desalination plant that will not emit carbon in its process. The proposal states that all daily activities and services will be reachable within minutes of each individual, and that high-speed traffic will take no more than 20 minutes from one end to the other.
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However, there are significant challenges to overcome. The technology for the high-speed transit system is still unclear, and reaching speeds of up to 510 km per hour is a feat that surpasses the performance of the world's fastest public train, the Shanghai Maglev, which reaches 460 km/h.
The project and sustainability
In addition to technological challenges, the Saudi Arabian desert project also faces criticism related to human rights and environmental impacts. The country's desert climate presents challenges, such as the potential increase in temperature over around the mirrored city, which could reflect heat to the external area. Environmental planning experts also point out that the mirrored line can disrupt bird flight, displace wildlife and block the flow of soil and water.
The total project cost of the desert of Saudi Arabia, including “The Line”, is estimated to be worth one trillion dollars, which poses a significant economic challenge for Saudi Arabia, which has yet to attract foreign investment due to human rights concerns.
