A Megaproject in Evolution
The ambitious ‘La Línea’ project, backed by the government of Saudi Arabia, is undergoing significant changes in its scope and expectations. This project, which seeks to create a 170-kilometer-long building, was originally planned to house 9 million inhabitants, with the initial expectation of housing 1.5 million residents by 2030. However, recent reports indicate that the government has drastically adjusted these expectations, reducing the forecast to less than 300,000 inhabitants for the same time period.
Neom Transformation
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, promoter of this project, seeks to make Neom, with a budget of 1.5 billion dollars and located on the coast of the Red Sea, to be an epicenter of innovation and sustainable development. In addition to ‘The Line’, plans for Neom include building a large-scale industrial city, ports and resorts, as well as hosting the 2029 Asian Winter Games at a future hill station called Trojena.
Challenges and Adjustments
The adjustment in ‘La Línea’ expectations coincides with the need for a longer period of time for the implementation of complementary projects, such as factories and sufficient human resources. Despite significant investments made in renewable energy infrastructure, the project faces criticism over its environmental sustainability, with experts noting that the emissions associated with its construction are considerably high.
Sustainability and Controversy
Despite efforts to present ‘La Línea’ as a model of sustainability, architectural and environmental experts raise significant doubts about its ecological viability. The magnitude of the project poses considerable challenges in terms of carbon emissions, water supply and sustainable transport, generating controversy around its environmental impact and long-term viability.
Conclusions
In summary, Saudi Arabia’s ‘The Line’ project, initially conceived as a megaproject of monumental proportions, is in a process of significant transformation, facing adjustments in its expectations and challenges in its implementation. As it evolves, it continues to generate debate around its sustainability and long-term viability.