Saudi crown prince discusses design origins of The Line, the Kingdom’s iconic megacity

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaking on ‘Explore The Line: City of Future in the Deserts of Saudi - NEOM City’ (Discovery Channel)
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Updated 27 June 2023
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Saudi crown prince discusses design origins of The Line, the Kingdom’s iconic megacity

  • We want to create a new civilization for tomorrow, says Mohammed bin Salman
  • Crown prince: Saudi Arabia will keep proving the doubters wrong about megaprojects

RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has discussed some of the earliest ideas around the design of The Line, Saudi Arabia’s megacity of the future, and what the project means to the Kingdom and the world.

The ambitious modern city is part of Saudi Arabia’s flagship development project of NEOM, situated in the north of the Kingdom, and reimagines what urban living should be like in the 21st century.

The Kingdom wants to create a new civilization for the future and has urged countries to act similarly for the sake of building a better planet, the crown prince said in a Discovery Channel interview about The Line that aired on Monday.

He talked in the documentary about how the design idea behind The Line came about and what it will eventually mean for Saudi Arabia.

“Since we have an empty place, and we want to have a place for 10 million people, then let’s think from scratch,” the crown prince said.

“We talked about a lot of ideas, ‘why can’t we build a circle?’” he said, recalling the first steps in the city’s design process. We can connect it with mobility and build it “slowly until it was completed for 10 million people,” the crown prince added.

After brainstorming and a competition for the best designers for ideas on how the city should look, one design option stood out.

“They provided us with cities based on the existing methods but with better solutions,” he said. Except one, who said: “Let’s turn it from a circle to a line.”

From there, the crown prince suggested a tweak that would establish The Line’s iconic look.

“The infrastructure idea is good, but when you get in it, with the 2 km width, you don’t feel it,” he said. “I told the team, ‘how about if we take those 2 km and flip it (so that it is) two towers (across) the whole line, is that going to work or will it be too massive?’”

The result: A 170-km, 200-meters-wide urban design phenomenon that will run on 100 percent renewable energy, with 95 percent of land preserved for nature — and it will be car-free.

The look of the city was unveiled by the crown prince in 2022. He said the design would clarify the internal structure of the multilayered city and address the problems of traditional flat, horizontal cities.

The crown prince said the Saudi population in 2030 is expected to be between 50 and 55 million, significantly up from the current 33 million. “In 2030, we are going to reach the full capacity of the existing infrastructure of Saudi Arabia,” he said, which necessitated the creation of the new city.

“The Line will tackle the challenges facing humanity in urban life today and will shine a light on alternative ways to live,” the crown prince is quoted as saying on the project’s official site. “We cannot ignore the livability and environmental crises facing our world’s cities.”

He added: “Any new city is going to have to be top-down.” Existing cities, he said, have all undergone restructuring based on a constant problem-solution model, but a top-down solution facilitates building something like The Line.

The crown prince said that it was not enough for the futuristic city to just be technically possible, it had to be beautiful too.

“Engineering and design was not enough without art,” he said. “(We) don’t want to create a city without having the whole city as a piece of art.”

The crown prince said the project is grand in scope and fulfills its financial and other objectives.

“It’s massive, it’s huge,” he said, adding that he wishes he could explain it in a simpler way. “It’s something that creates a new way of building.”

The crown prince said Miami has a work and social life mix that is exciting for residents and The Line will aim to top that type of offering.

“In Miami, when you get out of your office, you are on vacation — immediately you are next to entertainment, culture, sport and retail,” he said. “We are competing with Miami.”

Residents of The Line will only have a five-minute walk to reach all facilities and high-speed rail will provide an end-to-end transit of 20 minutes.

Nadhmi Al-Nasr, NEOM’s CEO, said that works are progressing in the futuristic city as per the schedule.

Peter Fitzhardinge, head of tourism and marketing at NEOM, told Arab News: “The development is being done. NEOM is becoming a reality. I live in NEOM and I see developments every minute of every day. You have to come to NEOM to see the future of livability in the world.”

Of those that keep saying the current megaprojects in Saudi Arabia are too ambitious and cannot be done, the crown prince said: “They can keep saying that and we can keep proving them wrong.

“I can promise you there’s going to be something new and creative (in NEOM), but what is it? It’s unknown, we are going to see.”


Saudi Arabia presents space advances at G20 meeting in Brazil

Updated 14 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia presents space advances at G20 meeting in Brazil

  • This year’s meeting, initiated during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency, focused on “Space Economy and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities.”

RIYADH: Saudi Space Agency Vice Chairman and CEO Mohammed Al-Tamimi led the Saudi delegation at the fifth G20 Space Economy Leaders Meeting in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, from Sept. 11 to 13.

This year’s meeting, initiated during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency, focused on “Space Economy and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities.”

Al-Tamimi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s advances in its space sector and the Kingdom’s commitment to using space technology for sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

He engaged in discussions on innovation, entrepreneurship and climate change, showcasing the Saudi Space Agency’s efforts to improve infrastructure, attract investment and apply space technology for sustainable development.

Saudi Arabia signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Brazilian Space Agency to enhance peaceful space exploration collaboration.

Al-Tamimi also held meetings with his Brazilian and Indian counterparts to discuss space economy cooperation and explored investment opportunities with leaders of Brazilian space companies.


No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state: Prince Turki

Updated 14 September 2024
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No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state: Prince Turki

  • Ex-intelligence chief: Kingdom has led the way in trying to resolve conflict
  • West has not done enough to pressure Israel; ‘simply harsh talk’ has ‘gotten us nowhere’

LONDON: There will be no normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel until an independent Palestinian state is established, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the former head of the Kingdom’s intelligence services, has warned. 

During a talk at London-based think tank Chatham House, the former Saudi ambassador to the US also discussed Washington’s role in the peace process as the Gaza war approaches its first anniversary, and how talks before the outbreak of hostilities had been broadly positive.

He said the US is keen on the resumption of talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia to strengthen regional security and to forge economic ties, but Riyadh’s position is that “if there’s a Palestinian state that Israel accepts to come (into) existence, then we can talk about normalization with Israel.”

The prince added: “Before Oct. 7 … talks not only progressed along those lines, but also the Kingdom invited a Palestinian delegation to come and talk directly to the Americans about what it is that might bring about a Palestinian state.

“I’m not privy to those talks so I don’t know what happened between the Palestinians and the Americans, but the Kingdom’s position has always been we won’t speak for the Palestinians. They have to do it for themselves. Unfortunately, of course, the Oct. 7 (Hamas attack against Israel) put an end to those talks.”

Prince Turki said the establishment of a Palestinian state is not only crucial for Israeli ties with Saudi Arabia but with the rest of the Muslim world as well.

“A Palestinian state is a primary condition for Saudi Arabia to have normalization with Israel, but … on the Israeli side, the whole government is saying no Palestinian state,” he added.

Prince Turki said for Saudi Arabia, an independent Palestine would encapsulate the 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem.

He added that the Kingdom has led the way in trying to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict, citing the 1981 King Fahd Peace Plan and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative proposed by King Abdullah.

During the current Gaza war, “the Kingdom led the Muslim world, and not only summits with the Arabs but with the (rest of the) Muslim world, and also … the diplomatic missions that have been taking place to convince the world that there must be an end to the fighting, led by the Saudi foreign minister,” Prince Turki said.

“The Kingdom has been in the forefront of condemning the Israeli onslaught on the Palestinians, not just in Gaza but equally in the West Bank.”

He criticized the US and other Western nations for not applying more pressure on Israel to end the war, citing how the UK had only recently begun to suspend certain arms export licenses to Israel following the election of a new government in July.

“I’d like to see more done by the UK,” he said. “I think, for example, the UK … should recognize the state of Palestine. It’s long overdue.”

Prince Turki said the US could apply direct pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the actions of his government and military, and should address funding and lobbying by groups and individuals sympathetic to Israel.

“I think the US has enormous tools to affect Israel which it isn’t using, not just simply … denial of supply of weapons and material to the Israelis,” the prince added.

“A lot of financial help goes to Israel from the US. If some of the privileges that (the) Israeli lobby, for example, in America, enjoys — of tax-free contributions to Israel — can be withdrawn from those Israeli lobbyists, that will (put) great pressure on Israel.”

In the US, “you have to register as a lobbyist for a specific country, or be prosecuted, if you want to talk for that country, but a lot of organizations in America do that for Israel and still enjoy a tax-free status because they’re considered not representing Israel per se, but simply as philanthropic or humanitarian groupings,” he said.

“There are many tools that are available to the US, not simply harsh talk, which seems to have gotten us nowhere. But is America ready to do that? As I said, I’m not too optimistic about that.”


Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of chemistry’

Updated 14 September 2024
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Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of chemistry’

Riyadh: Jabir ibn Hayyan, a renowned Muslim scientist, is known as the “father of chemistry” for his pioneering contributions.

Born in 721, he discovered key chemical compounds still used today.

The 2024 STEAM Festival at King Salman Science Oasis in Riyadh is highlighting the early scientist’s life and legacy, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Running until Sept. 30 under the theme “Fun Chemistry,” the festival offers educational, informative, and entertaining experiences.

Ibn Hayyan’s innovations, such as distillation, greatly advanced chemistry in both the Islamic world and the West. His works, translated into Latin, spread knowledge widely.

Notable discoveries include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, gold water, and silver nitrate. He also explored practical uses, such as steel production, waterproofing, and creating artificial pearls.

Scholar Ibn Khaldun praised him as “the imam of chemistry writers,” and chemistry was sometimes called “the science of Jabir.”

The festival aims to instill pride in Saudi Arabia’s scientific heritage and align with future goals.

It features 100 workshops, panel discussions, live shows, and interactive exhibits across STEAM fields, exploring past, present, and future science and technology.

The event showcases local innovations, sustainable practices, and modern technologies, reflecting the Kingdom’s dedication to scientific progress.

With over 25 pavilions, the festival covers the history of chemistry, petrochemical innovations, environmental challenges, and sustainable solutions tied to Vision 2030.


COP29 president calls for united action on climate finance goals

Updated 14 September 2024
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COP29 president calls for united action on climate finance goals

  • ‘We still risk falling short,’ Mukhtar Babayev warns after Baku talks

Mukhtar Babayev, president of COP29, has called for global unity as the world approaches a critical turning point in climate change negotiations.

Speaking during discussions in the Azerbaijan capital Baku, Babayev said that talks are now approaching a “more focused dialogue” on collective climate finance.

“The conclusion of the final meeting of the ad hoc work program marks the beginning of the end,” Babayev said, indicating a shift toward a framework that will guide discussions leading up to COP29. 

In addition, the president also expressed his belief that a comprehensive draft negotiating text could be developed as the foundation for the COP29 presidency’s final phase.

This preparation is crucial, as nations strive to achieve a new goal in climate finance that aligns with the urgent demands of the environmental crisis, he said. 

“We have full confidence in the co-chairs of the ad hoc work program as they now develop a substantive framework for a draft negotiating text. This substantive framework will serve as the basis for the COP29 presidency’s final period of intensive political and technical engagements as we prepare to nail down a deal on a new climate finance goal at COP29,” Babayev said.

However, the president also warned that the road ahead would be full of challenges that will require persistence and cooperation from all countries involved.

“We are on the right track and have come a long way, but we still risk falling short. Determination and leadership is needed from all parties to bridge the gaps that still divide us in this critical final phase. Everyone now needs to take ownership of finding an agreement.

“Sticking to set positions and failing to move toward each other will leave too much ground to be covered at COP29,” he said, adding that the stakes have never been higher.

Babayev said that billions of people worldwide are counting on leaders to deliver climate finance on a scale that is equal to the urgency of the climate change crisis.

“We will spare no effort to deliver a fair and ambitious new goal in Baku at COP29,” he said.

As the COP29 presidency prepares for the final negotiations in November, the world is watching as leaders discuss obligatory finance to combat climate change, and reduce its effects on vulnerable countries.

 


AlUla Dates Festival boosts local agriculture

Updated 14 September 2024
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AlUla Dates Festival boosts local agriculture

  • Workshops and training programs aim to enhance the quality and competitiveness of AlUla dates in both local and global markets

Riyadh: The AlUla Dates Festival, organized by the Royal Commission for AlUla, began this week with a strong turnout from farmers and investors.

On its first day, the festival received 110 tonnes of dates, highlighting the region’s rich agricultural heritage and growth potential.

The event, a collaboration between the commission and various public and private entities, supports local farmers and promotes sustainable agriculture.

Workshops and training programs aim to enhance the quality and competitiveness of AlUla dates in both local and global markets.

For investors, the festival offers an opportunity to acquire premium dates from a renowned region.

The festival runs through to Nov. 9, held every Friday and Saturday in AlUla.

Dates are economically and socially important in AlUla, with about three million palm trees producing 120,000 tonnes annually, making the region a key player in the agricultural sector.

The festival showcases the diversity and quality of AlUla’s date varieties.