Amid Economic Challenges And Revised Goals, The Saudi Government Hires Consultants To Analyze The Future Of Its $1.5 Trillion Project.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has initiated a review process for its most ambitious project, the futuristic city of The Line. Consultants have been hired to assess the feasibility of the original plan. The measure seeks to adjust the monumental construction to the current economic challenges of the country.
What Is The Ambitious Project The Line?
The Line is a linear city project measuring 170 kilometers in length. It is being built in the middle of the Saudi desert. The proposal is part of a larger plan, called Neom, with a total estimated cost of $1.5 trillion. The goal was to create a revolutionary urban center, car-free and with zero carbon emissions.
Reduced Goals And Extended Deadlines

Recently, expectations for the project have been drastically reduced. The initial goal was to house 1.5 million residents by 2030. Now, that number has been adjusted to less than 300,000 people within the same timeframe. Additionally, of the 170 kilometers planned, it is expected that only 2.4 kilometers will be completed by 2030.
-
Buried house on Greek island uses stone, concrete, wood, and glass to appear as part of the rock, according to MOLD Architects, while movable facades, internal courtyards, and pergolas bring air, shade, and light to the spaces hidden in the hillside.
-
Concrete thrown away can turn into money on the construction site itself and sell aggregate by the ton, according to a technical survey on mobile crushing that transforms debris into business for construction companies attentive to heavy costs.
-
The 980-meter, R$ 329 million bridge began receiving concrete in its foundations this week, with blocks 3.5 meters deep that consume the equivalent load of 57 concrete mixer trucks each, and the structure of the Joinville bridge will have a 160-meter span over the Cachoeira River without any pillar in the middle.
-
Couple buys a century-old ruin in the French countryside for around $170,000, leaves their life in Paris behind, and spends four years renovating almost everything with their own hands, amidst costly mistakes, international volunteers, and a new way of living.
The Entry Of Consultants And The Economic Scenario Of Saudi Arabia
The decision to reassess the project comes at a delicate moment. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is facing challenges such as the drop in oil prices and lower-than-expected foreign investment. The promoters of Neom claim that the review is a normal procedure for projects of this scale. Nevertheless, the hiring of consultants indicates a search for greater security in the investment.
Between Reality And Ambition
Despite the reduction in expectations, construction continues. The Saudi government is releasing images to showcase progress, such as the construction of transportation tunnels. Giles Pendleton, the director of operations, reaffirmed that “Neom is real”. The message is that, although initial optimism has decreased, the project will not be abandoned, but rather adjusted to reality.

Be the first to react!