The Mirror City, A Groundbreaking Concept:
A mirror city in Saudi Arabia on a Neom structure refers to a structure made of mirrored panels. Plans for a new smart city, called The Line, in NEOM, are part of the 2030 Vision to embrace a new economic era in the kingdom. The mirrored panels will reflect the surrounding environment, creating an illusion that the city is invisible. ” The Line is a humancentric futuristic city concept by NEOM in Saudi Arabia.”
Who is making NEOM City?
NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, July 25, 2022 – His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Chairman of the NEOM Board of Directors, today announced the designs of The line. He said, “We cannot ignore the livability and environmental crises facing our world’s cities, and NEOM is at the forefront of delivering new and imaginative solutions to address these issues.”
What is the Walled City concept??
The Walled City concept, also known as the “City of the Future,” is a massive urban development project. Aramco is designing and planning this project. (Saudi Aramco is the world’s largest oil producer. Officially known as Saudi Arabian Oil Company.) The Mirror city on the NEOM structure will be located in the Tabuk region of Saudi Arabia, near the Red Sea coast. It will cover an area of 106 square miles. As per its name, its outer wall will made of glass and mirrors.
The announcement reveals the most important characteristics of The line. Which is only 200 meters wide, 170 kilometers long, and 500 meters above sea level. The Mirror City in Saudi Arabia on a Neom Structure will eventually accommodate 9 million residents. It will be built on a footprint of 34 square kilometers, which is unheard of when compared to other cities of similar capacity.
The Future Line City will be a sustainable and eco-friendly. It will be incorporating the latest technologies and innovations. It is likely to have a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial zones, as well as green spaces and parks.
Expected Building Cost of Walled City:
The estimate of building a Mirror city inside the wall is US$100–200 billion (400–700 billion SAR), with some estimates as high as $1 trillion. It is claimed by the Saudi government that this NEOM city project will create 460,000 jobs. It will spur economic diversification, and contribute 180 billion SAR (US$48 billion) to the domestic GDP by 2030.
Efforts to Diversify Its Economy and Reduce Oil Dependency:
The mirror city concept is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader plan to diversify its economy. It will reduce its reliance on oil. The country is currently heavily dependent on its oil reserves, which account for over 90% of its export earnings, however, with the rise of renewable energy sources and the increasing global pressure to reduce carbon emissions. The kingdom has realized that it needs to find new ways to generate revenue and create jobs.
What Impact Could The Line City Have?
Mirror City in Saudi Arabia on a Neom Structure could also help to attract new investors to Saudi Arabia. It can promote business. As part of the larger Neom city project, the Line city will be designed to accommodate a wide range of industrie. Including renewable energy, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. This could create new opportunities for economic growth and diversification in the kingdom.
At the same time, experts called the goals of the project unrealistic, and the proposed city of The Line – unlivable.
“Utopian thinking is important. It helps us challenge the preconceptions in the built environment that have generated conventional outcomes. Which we know contribute to environmental degradation.” The head of the built environment school at the University of New South Wales Sydney, told Deezen in an interview. “But I think the sustainability and liveability arguments here are naive.”
A team of world-renowned architects and engineers led by NEOM will develop this project to develop this revolutionary concept for the walled city of the future.
