Saudi Arabia is significantly scaling back its ambitious Neom project, with a particular focus on reducing the scope of the futuristic city known as The Line. This decision comes in response to mounting concerns over excessive costs and repeated delays that have plagued the development from its inception.
Original Vision and Current Setbacks
The original blueprint for The Line was nothing short of revolutionary, envisioning a $500 billion development featuring 500-metre-tall skyscrapers designed to accommodate up to 9 million residents. This linear city was intended to operate entirely without roads or emissions, aligning with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 initiative to diversify Saudi Arabia's economy away from oil dependency.
Frustration and Revised Plans
However, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated with the project's setbacks. As a result, revised plans indicate a 'far smaller' scale for The Line, with construction already on hold. This strategic pivot may see the project shift its focus towards becoming a hub for data centres and artificial intelligence, reflecting a more pragmatic approach to economic diversification.
Existing Developments and Leadership Changes
Within the broader Neom project, only the Sindalah yachting resort has opened to date, and it did so three years behind schedule and significantly over budget. This underperformance reportedly led to the dismissal of Neom's chief executive, highlighting the challenges faced in executing such grand visions.
The scaling back of The Line underscores the difficulties in realising mega-projects of this magnitude, even with substantial financial backing and political will. It raises questions about the future of Saudi Arabia's economic transformation efforts and the viability of similar large-scale urban developments globally.
