News — In October, the excavation work commenced for an ambitious construction project known as The Line. While some view it as an ideal ecological city, others dismiss it as a mere marketing strategy. Recent findings by researchers from the Complexity Science Hub challenge the notion of The Line as a model for future cities.
According to Rafael Prieto-Curiel, a city researcher at the Complexity Science Hub, The Line embodies the concept of starting afresh and completely reimagining a city. This planned city is set to emerge from the desert, consisting of two colossal, uninterrupted rows of skyscrapers, with residential areas in between. Stretching across a remarkable length of 170 kilometers, it spans 200 meters in width and reaches a towering height of 500 meters, surpassing the tallest buildings in Europe, Africa, and Latin America. The vision for The Line is to extend straight from the Red Sea towards the east.
TEN TIMES DENSER THAN MANHATTAN
With a projected population surpassing any other city in Saudi Arabia, the city is anticipated to accommodate around nine million individuals. This results in an astounding population density of 265,000 people per square kilometer, making it ten times denser than Manhattan and four times denser than the inner districts of Manila, which are presently recognized as the most densely populated urban areas on Earth. Prieto-Curiel highlights the curiosity of attracting such a large number of people to a medium-sized country, a phenomenon that awaits further observation.
SIXTY MINUTES FOR A TRIP
The aspect of mobility raises further inquiries. "A linear shape is the least efficient form for a city," asserts Prieto-Curiel, emphasizing that all of humanity's 50,000 cities have, in some way, embraced a circular layout.
If we were to randomly select two individuals within The Line, their average distance apart would be approximately 57 kilometers. In contrast, in the much larger Johannesburg, two random people are only around 33 kilometers apart, despite the city's size being 50 times greater. Assuming a walking distance of one kilometer, only a mere 1.2% of the population would be within walking distance of one another. This poses a challenge to active mobility, necessitating a reliance on public transportation.
The envisioned backbone of the public transportation system is a high-speed rail network. "To ensure that everyone is within walking distance of a station, a minimum of 86 stations would be required," explains CSH researcher Dániel Kondor. Consequently, trains would spend significant time at stations, limiting their ability to attain high speeds between any two stations. According to the researchers, an average trip is anticipated to take 60 minutes, with at least 47% of the population facing even longer commutes. Despite the incorporation of additional express lines, the gains are restricted due to the need for multiple transfers. As a result, people would still experience longer travel times compared to other major cities like Seoul, where a population of 25 million commutes for less than 50 minutes.
A CITY IS MORE THAN A NEIGHBOURHOOD
Efficient transportation plays a vital role in the prosperity of cities as research indicates that individuals prefer to limit their commuting time. However, in a highly dense environment, is it possible to minimize these journeys by having everything, including employment, shopping, and amenities, readily accessible locally? According to Kondor, cities encompass more than just a collection of semi-isolated neighborhoods that can be reached within 15 minutes. What distinguishes a city from smaller settlements is not solely its size but also the additional opportunities available beyond the immediate neighborhood, such as concerts or broader employment prospects. Therefore, the consideration of citywide transportation becomes essential in order to cater to these diverse needs.
WHY NOT “THE CIRCLE”?
By transforming The Line into The Circle, with a radius of 3.3 kilometers, the proximity between individuals would significantly decrease. In fact, the distance between any two people would be reduced to just 2.9 kilometers, and approximately 24% of the population would be within walking distance of one another. This would enable a greater emphasis on active mobility, such as walking, cycling, or similar means, rendering a high-speed rail system unnecessary.
Alternatively, The Circle design would facilitate efficient connectivity even with lower population densities. Consequently, there would be no requirement for supertall buildings to accommodate the transportation needs, as the compact layout would enable good connectivity throughout the city. This approach would promote a balanced and sustainable urban environment.
IS THERE SOMETHING POSITIVE?
According to Prieto-Curiel, "This project sparks discussions about urban forms, which is highly significant given the rapid growth of cities, particularly in Africa. In the past, cities have often developed organically, while planned cities have frequently fallen short of expectations. Therefore, there is a pressing need for increased public involvement in urban design, focusing on human-centric approaches."
Moreover, the project places a strong emphasis on sustainability across various aspects. For instance, distances within a five-minute walk will be car-free, effectively saving space in terms of infrastructure and parking and reducing the number of cars. Additionally, all energy generation will be achieved with zero carbon emissions. However, it's important to note that the construction of skyscrapers, which requires substantial material and energy, is not accounted for in these considerations.
"Overall, it's logical to assume that other factors might have influenced the selection of this distinctive urban form, such as branding or the creation of captivating social media content. Nevertheless, it is crucial to comprehend the consequences, particularly if The Line is treated as a demonstration of modern building and urban planning technologies," highlights Prieto-Curiel.
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