Stunning photos show progress on the 'world's biggest construction site' that promises to redefine the look of cities and urban living.
Fresh aerial images have emerged showing remarkable progress on what's being called the world's largest construction site.
The project, known as Neom, is slowly taking shape near the Red Sea in the Arabian Desert, with its centrepiece development called The Line now visibly rising from the desert floor.
When completed, this extraordinary undertaking could potentially house around 9 million people when it's completely finished.
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What is the Neom project?
Neom represents Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil and energy exports. The scale of this undertaking is almost impossible to comprehend.
The development has experienced both delays and budget overruns, leading to the appointment of a new CEO specifically tasked with reviewing the project's feasibility.
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The centrepiece of Neom is The Line.
Initially discovered as two parallel skyscrapers reaching 500 metres high, The Line is envisioned to extend over 170 kilometres through desert terrain, connecting the mountains to the Red Sea.
According to Neom's website: "A cognitive city stretching across 170 kilometres, from the epic mountains of NEOM across inspirational desert valleys to the beautiful Red Sea. A mirrored architectural masterpiece towering 500 meters above sea level, but a land-saving 200 meters wide.
"THE LINE redefines the concept of urban development and what cities of the future will look like."
How much progress has been made?
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Giles Pendleton, the Line's chief operating officer, posted on LinkedIn two weeks ago its construction progress in July.
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"THE LINE is taking shape at an incredible pace and something I'm incredibly proud of," Pendelton wrote.
Beyond The Line, Neom includes several other ambitious components designed to create a comprehensive economic and urban ecosystem.
One such project is the Oxagon port, which is a floating industrial complex located along one of the world's busiest trade routes connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. The port component is set to integrate advanced industrial capabilities with the residential and commercial elements of The Line, creating a self-contained economic zone.
According to Bloomberg, Saudi Arabia has recently asked consulting firms to reassess The Line's feasibility.
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Saudi authorities originally planned for The Line to house 1.5 million residents by 2030, though this timeline and capacity are now under review as part of the feasibility assessment.
Gulf royals, who have been key financial supporters of US President Donald Trump, announced investment commitments to the US when Trump visited the region in May.
What happens next?
While the construction is definitely moving forward, the final scope and timeline are pretty uncertain right now. The authorities and developers are trying to balance their ambitions with the reality of what they can actually afford and build.
For now, these images offer a fascinating peek into what future, self-sufficient cities might look like.