The construction project for a 170km-long skyscraper capable of accommodating the entire population of New York City in the Arabian Desert is underway, with the participation of the British company Atkins.
The British company Atkins will participate in the construction of The Line straight city in the Arabian Desert. (Image: NEOM).
In addition to its remarkable length, The Line will reach a height of up to 500 meters and a width of 200 meters. The building will stretch across deserts, hills, valleys, and coastal terrains, featuring a mirrored facade. Consequently, several systems will be implemented to ensure that the structure does not harm local bird populations. The interior of the building will include housing, parks, hospitals, and all the facilities that can be found in a major city.
The project will operate on 100% renewable energy. Beyond the task of constructing and powering the straight city, providing water, food, and a comfortable environment for such a large population, while also managing waste in the desert, poses a significant challenge. According to Reuters, The Line will utilize artificial intelligence (AI) technology to manage these issues and rely on resident observations to anticipate their needs.
SNC-Lavalin, the parent company of Atkins, is collaborating with NEOM and other partner organizations to provide construction management consulting services throughout the design, procurement, construction, testing, and project delivery phases, along with infrastructure management shared with other NEOM projects in the vicinity and logistical management.
The straight city project is still in its early stages, but contractors have already begun construction on the building. According to MIT Review, the project is being developed in the desert. Satellite images reveal the construction progress and a workforce of thousands of builders nearby. The Line city is part of the NEOM mega-city within Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan, aimed at transforming the country’s oil-dependent economy towards tourism.
