Construction has officially begun on Saudi Arabia’s ambitious urban project, The Line, starting with its first phase, known as Hidden Marina. This marks a key step in developing the 170-km (105-mile) linear megacity, designed to introduce a new urban model with connected infrastructure and modern transportation. The Line will extend across the Saudi desert, using advanced technology and artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and security.
Hidden Marina, will span 2.5 km (1.5 miles) and include three modular sections with a mirrored exterior. It will reach a height of 500 meters (1,640 feet) and cover a built area of 21 million square meters (5,200 acres), significantly surpassing the Burj Khalifa’s 350,000 square meters (86 acres) of built space.
Hidden Marina: A City Within The Line
Hidden Marina is set to accommodate an initial population of 200,000 residents. It will be a self-sufficient urban hub, providing essential infrastructure and amenities, including:
- Over 80,000 residential units, ensuring diverse housing options
- 9,000 hotel rooms for tourism and business travelers
- Commercial and retail spaces, catering to businesses and consumers alike
- Fire stations, schools, police, and security services, ensuring a fully functional city
- AI-powered surveillance systems, monitoring energy use and urban efficiency
- A man made marina, although further details are yet to be disclosed
Residents will have access to all daily necessities within a five-minute walking radius, while high-speed rail services will ensure seamless transportation within the city.
Construction and Workforce
The scale of construction for The Line is unparalleled, with over 140,000 workers currently engaged in building the megacity. Saudi Arabia has allocated a staggering $140 billion to develop infrastructure for The Line, making it one of the most expensive and complex urban projects in history.
Additionally, reports suggest that the project is consuming approximately 20% of the world’s available steel, further highlighting its enormous material requirements. To accelerate progress, robots and AI-driven automation will be used extensively in construction, improving processes and increasing efficiency on a large scale.
Future Developments
Beyond residential and commercial spaces, Hidden Marina will feature several major additions:
- World Cup Venue: A futuristic stadium located on the upper levels of Hidden Marina is expected to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader ambitions for global sports engagement.
- Marina Development: A man-made marina will be a key attraction, though specific details remain undisclosed.
- Public Services: The city will house schools, fire stations, and security services, ensuring comprehensive urban functionality.
As part of a larger transformation, Saudi Arabia has also announced parallel developments, including the world’s tallest planned skyscraper, JEC Tower, and The Mukaab, a massive cube-shaped structure set to redefine urban architecture. These projects, along with The Line, reflect the country’s ambitious vision for futuristic, sustainable, and technologically advanced urban development.
Image source- newatlas.com, dezeen.com
