Saudi Arabia has reached a major milestone in its ambitious Vision 2030 project. The first phase of The Line, a revolutionary city planned in the northwest region of the Kingdom, is now officially open. Early residents have already begun moving in, marking the start of a new era in urban living.
The Line is part of NEOM, a $500 billion megaproject that aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a global hub for innovation, sustainability, and futuristic living. With its unique design and groundbreaking features, The Line is unlike any city in the world.
A City Without Roads, Cars, or Pollution
The Line stands out for its bold vision—it’s a linear city stretching 170 kilometers long, only 200 meters wide, and 500 meters high. What makes it even more special is that there are no roads or cars. The entire city runs on 100% renewable energy and is designed to have zero carbon emissions.
Instead of cars, The Line will rely on high-speed trains and vertical transportation systems, allowing people to move between sections of the city in just minutes. Everything residents need—workplaces, schools, parks, shops, and homes—will be within a 5-minute walk.
This walkable, vertically layered design ensures that the city offers both convenience and sustainability. The goal is to offer a better quality of life while protecting the natural environment around it.
First Modules Now Open for Living
The first phase of The Line has been completed and is already welcoming its first group of residents. These initial modules include residential buildings, green spaces, essential services, and community areas.
People moving in are part of a handpicked group chosen for their role in shaping the early development of NEOM. They include professionals, engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs who are helping to build and test the systems that will power the city of the future.
Their experiences and feedback will help improve the rest of the city as it expands. This is a “living laboratory” for the future, where new ideas can be tested in real-time.
A Giant Step Toward Vision 2030
The opening of The Line’s first phase is a proud moment for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030—an ambitious plan to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and reduce its reliance on oil. NEOM is one of the largest and most important projects under this national vision.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who announced The Line in 2021, described it as a civilizational revolution. His vision was to create a new model of urban development that balances technology, nature, and human well-being.
The Crown Prince said at the time, “The Line will tackle the challenges facing humanity in urban life today and will shine a light on alternative ways to live.”
Now that the first buildings are complete and people have started living there, that vision is beginning to take shape.
What Life Looks Like Inside The Line
For the residents moving in, life inside The Line is already looking very different from traditional cities. The air is cleaner, the streets are quieter, and nature is just a step away.
There’s no need for long commutes or traffic jams. High-speed transport connects everything, making daily life faster and less stressful.
The use of advanced technology is also visible everywhere. Smart systems manage energy use, waste, and water. Artificial Intelligence helps run services, keep the city clean, and even supports healthcare and education.
Children can go to schools built within walking distance, and families can relax in beautifully designed parks that are filled with local plants and natural features.
More Phases Coming Soon
While the first section of The Line is open, this is only the beginning. Construction continues across other parts of NEOM, and future modules will expand the city to reach its final design.
Each new area will add more homes, businesses, and public spaces. The full project is expected to be completed by 2030, in time with the larger goals of Vision 2030.
Developers and planners are also working on other parts of NEOM, such as Oxagon (a floating industrial city), Trojena (a mountain resort), and Sindalah (a luxury island destination). Together, they form a future city ecosystem that combines tourism, technology, nature, and innovation.
The World Watches in Curiosity
Global attention has been focused on NEOM since it was first announced. Many people were skeptical that such an ambitious city could actually be built. But with the opening of The Line’s first phase, Saudi Arabia has proven that this vision is not only real—but already happening.
The Kingdom is inviting investors, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from around the world to be part of the journey. NEOM is not just a place to live; it is a place to imagine and build the future.
It promises to become a center for green energy, smart technologies, sustainable tourism, and global talent.
A New Kind of Future
The launch of The Line’s first phase represents more than just the opening of a city—it symbolizes a new way of thinking about how people live, work, and connect.
By combining the latest innovations with a focus on sustainability and quality of life, Saudi Arabia is aiming to set a global example for urban development.
And while it is still in its early stages, The Line is already offering a glimpse of what cities of the future could look like—cleaner, smarter, and more human-centered.
As more people move in and new parts of NEOM come to life, the dream of Vision 2030 continues to grow, one module at a time.
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