Saudi Arabia’s new mirrored city looks like a huge dystopian wall in the desert

Image: Neom

Those public transit discs that ride above traffic on stilts or the idea for a nuclear-powered "flying hotel" are some of the completely deranged infrastructure concepts that go mildly viral on the internet. These renders are usually backed by one of the world's richest wealth funds. Saudi Arabia is building a huge mirrored wall in the desert.

I will get you up to speed if you haven't been paying attention. Saudi Arabia has a lot of money and the crown prince has ambitions. In order to leave his mark on the world, MBS plans to develop a huge city in the desert named Neom, which will incorporate pretty much every futuristic technology you can think of.

The whole thing has been strongly criticized, with reports showing problems from overspending to oppressive treatment of local tribes who have been forcibly relocated for the project. The project has been declared "my pyramids" by the project leader. There is a new design for The Line that is covered in mirrors and is 500 meters tall.

Try to convince me that this is not the result of some very excited marketing execs and a fortnight of all-nighters in Blender, by watching the promo video below.

Look at the renders. Just stare at them. Are these realistic visions of the future that you have in mind? They look like a picture of a utopian future. I think the point is.

Although it looks like a wall, The Line is actually comprised of two huge parallel buildings, connected via walkways and divided into neighborhoods that are supposed to offer all the amenities of city life within a five minute walk.

The Wall Street Journal has some additional information on the project, but they don't seem to know much about the show. Vegetables will be grown autonomously from community farms, a high-speed train will run under the mirrored buildings, and there will be a marina under an arch.

I am not saying The Line won't be built. According to reports, the project has a budget of $500 billion and is being spent. We have seen similar mega-projects come and go. The islands were built but only a few are open and most are in the ocean. The Line's mirrors will be rubbed off before we know how long it is.