Saudi Arabia unveiled a visualization of a futuristic skyscraper city

Riyadh - Saudi Arabia has unveiled an ambitious architectural project The Line, referred to as a city of the future composed of a single building that will become home to nine million people.

The sustainable structure, spanning 34 square kilometers, is set to measure 500 meters in height, 200 meters in width, and 170 kilometers in length. According to the promotional video, the project will literally consist of a series of buildings covered on the outside with a mirrored facade. Inside, it will have everything necessary for life, including schools, hospitals, shops, and parks.

Residents are expected to have everything they need within a five-minute walk, and transportation from one end to the other will be possible via a high-speed rail in 20 minutes. Services will utilize artificial intelligence, and the entire facility is to be powered by renewable sources. There will be no cars or roads. Instead, the design incorporates symbols of the future in the form of flying taxis and robotic servants.

The futuristic city, according to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will be built in the northwest of the country near the Red Sea. The Line is part of the NEOM project, which bin Salman introduced in 2017 as part of his Vision 2030. The aim of this reform plan is to free the Saudi economy from reliance on oil and to become a significant player in the tourism sector. NEOM, a name that means "new future," is also set to include industrial and logistics zones as well as airports, which are expected to be among the largest in the world.

Critics are skeptical about whether the project is technologically feasible, reports CNN's news website. Others label the vision presented in the lavish promotional video as "dystopian."

The Guardian reports that although NEOM will operate under its own laws, which are still being developed, Saudi officials claim that there are no plans to lift the ban on alcohol sales in the conservative kingdom.

"The plans will challenge traditional flat, horizontal cities and create a model for nature preservation and better livability. The Line will address the challenges humanity faces today in urban living, and shine a light on alternative ways of life," bin Salman stated in a press release.