Saudi-backed construction drives reshape a vast project in the Red Sea desert. Neom’s Line project is moving rapidly, with the early October start accelerating in the first weeks, as shown by recent footage published on the project site.
Currently, hundreds of workers, dozens of cranes, and a swarm of machines dot the landscape, forming a bustling hub in the arid area that will host The Line and a colossal ski slope, among many other facilities.
What is visible at this stage is land leveling and foundational work for a structure that will stretch at least 170 kilometers from the desert interior to the Red Sea coast.
This video offers a snapshot of the field as it stands:
The building, planned to rise about half a kilometer high, will feature a long, glassy wall that mirrors the desert surroundings, giving an otherworldly look from the outside. Inside, activity will be intense, even as the project adheres to sustainability criteria repeatedly emphasized by project managers.
“ecological” project
Organizers emphasize that Neom and The Line are rooted in an entirely ecological concept. The giant structure will be powered by 100% renewable energy, and transportation within the city is planned to be emission-free. A high-speed rail link will connect one end of the 170-kilometer block to the other in roughly 20 minutes, while services, shops, and essential facilities will be within a five-minute walk of residents.
This visualization is part of ongoing coverage that tracks the project’s development, highlighting innovations and offering immersive glimpses into what The Line could contain.
Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince and chairman of Neom, envisions this monumental city as a showcase of the sustainable future his country aims to deliver. He has urged bold, creative solutions to address livability and environmental challenges facing cities worldwide.
This site continually follows the project, providing updates on innovations while sharing striking imagery of The Line’s interior concepts.
Where will the water come from?
Water supply stands out as a major challenge for The Line and the broader Neom city, including its ski resort, requiring substantial water resources for residents and infrastructure.
One proposed solution involves large-scale water treatment plants that would source water from the Red Sea for residents. These plants are planned to operate on electricity from renewable sources, though experts question whether desalination at this scale can be powered entirely by solar energy without significant CO2 emissions associated with electricity production.
In practice, the construction process itself—machinery, transport, material extraction, and related activities—will generate substantial emissions. The ultimate environmental footprint will depend on the effectiveness of the sustainability measures announced by the Saudi government.
Beyond environmental concerns, questions have been raised about freedoms and human rights. Various organizations have documented instances of forced relocations tied to project needs and, in some cases, severe penalties announced in October. The situation has drawn international scrutiny and ongoing debate about governance and rights in the region.
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For comprehensive context on this project, observers note ongoing updates from official channels and independent analyses that scrutinize environmental plans, social impacts, and long-term feasibility. The information presented reflects a broad range of perspectives and expert opinions on large-scale urban development in the region.