The original plan was that they would extend for 170km (105 miles), and become home to nine million inhabitants.
But according to people familiar with the details – and as already leaked to the press – the project developers will now focus on completing just 2.4km by 2030, as part of the first module.
When The Line was first announced it was billed as a “carbon-free linear city” that would redefine urban living, with amenities for residents like parks, waterfalls, flying taxis, and robot maids.
The city would have no roads or cars, and would be made up of interconnected, pedestrianised communities. It would also include an ultra-high-speed train, with a maximum journey duration of 20 minutes anywhere within city limits.
How many of these features will be part of the first phase are unclear.
Along with The Line, Neom is also due to include an octagon-shaped floating industrial city, and a mountain ski-resort that will host the Asian Winter Games in 2029.
Ali Shihabi, a former banker now on Neom’s advisory board, says the targets set for projects under Vision 2030 were deliberately “designed to be over ambitious”.
“It was meant to be over ambitious, with the clear understanding that only a part of it would be delivered on time. But even that part would be significant,” says Mr Shihabi.
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