Planners of the Neom project in Saudi Arabia are expressing worries as costs continue to rise for The Line, a key component of the megaproject, according to The Wall Street Journal. The design of The Line, a horizontal skyscraper, is raising concerns among planners who fear it may not appeal to potential residents due to limited natural light reaching the lower levels of the parallel structures. The Line is expected to reach a height of approximately 1,640 feet, comparable to the World Trade Center in New York City. Neom’s vision for the city includes a car-free environment powered entirely by renewable energy.
Critics have already raised doubts about the practicality and appeal of The Line. Leonard Chan, chair of the Hong Kong Innovative Technology Development Association, expressed skepticism about living in the city, comparing it to a simulation game. Plato Yip, chair of the environmental group Friends of the Earth in Hong Kong, voiced concerns about the potential isolation of the mirrored city, stating that it may feel confining despite its comfort.
Even architects involved in The Line project have questioned its feasibility. British architect Peter Cook referred to the city as an “amazing absurdity” and criticized the proposed height as unreasonable.
The cost of Neom is also becoming a significant issue. While Saudi Arabia’s official estimate for the project is $500 billion, recent reports suggest that the funding required for the futuristic megacity could exceed $1.5 trillion. Executives working on Neom have dismissed the $500 billion figure as unrealistically low. Sources indicate that the first 1.5 miles of The Line alone could cost over $100 billion. Neom employees anticipate the total cost of the mirrored city to exceed $2 trillion.
Saudi Arabia has been countering reports of setbacks in the Neom project. The Saudi economy minister stated last month that there had been no change in scale. This week, senior Saudi officials were withdrawn from the Milken conference in Los Angeles to provide an update on the progress of Neom to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Representatives for Neom declined to comment on the matter.