Recently while listening to a 1podcast, more casual conversation rather than scientific one, I came across revolutionary idea…
Imagine living in a city that is using 100% renewable energy (zero carbon emission) with no cars and roads, but still have a 5-minute walk (in 3 dimensions) to everything u need. That is the concept of 2NEOM’s futuristic city THE LINE which is located in Saudi Arabia and currently under construction. The main idea was to make fully sustainable and eco shelter for 9 million people in a place that normally isn’t adjusted for urbanization. As an AI student I want to mention that this city would be equipped and monitored with Artificial Intelligence and many social services would be using it.
But how it would even look like? This town is only 200 meters wide, but it is 170 KILOMETERS long. So how without a car people will go from one end to another? It would be possible thanks to superfast train located under the construction, so the whole trip would only take 20 minutes. But citizens don’t have to even use it because of the idea of modules (smaller sectors) containing all human needs in a smart configuration. From healthcare through education and culture to business but most important lots of nature and green spaces. Moreover, this construction will use natural ventilation system sustaining a thermal comfort.
Location and accessibility of this place is interesting as THE LINE starts near Suez Canal and as the plan assumes, it is not further than 6 hours flight from 40% of the world.
Price and effort of this project brings out some controversies. Let me know what do you think about this concept, is this the future of architecture of cities? Would you live in such place?
Sources: https://www.neom.com/en-us/regions/theline
1,,Podsiadło Kotarski Podcast”
2 Project and company founded by Saudi Arabia prince Mohammed bin Salman
The idea of such a city brings forward a few tough questions:
1. Who will govern the city?
2. Are there going to be any entry restrictions?
3. The AI surveillance – will it head towards the China social credit system?
While the proposition does seem quite interesting on paper, we also have to factor in the costs – at the moment, the estimations run at around 200 billion dollars.
Furthermore, you also need to convince people to live there – it seems to me that at first, many would be reluctant to participate in what they would call an ‘experimental’ city.
The idea of such a city is quite interesting. However it seems to me that it is too futuristic. I don’t think that many people would like to live there. As you mentioned it’s only 200 meters wide and 170 kilometers long. Don’t you think that it might be cramped and a little bit claustrophobic. Also i don’t think it will be popular trend in planning new cities due to the costs of build as well as it’s not that easy to create a new agglomeration on the map. Personally I wouldn’t be able to function in such closed and tight space.