# Saudi Arabia's "The Line"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-arabias-the-line/968749>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [July 29, 2022, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-arabias-the-line/968749 "2022-07-29T03:39:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2022, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-arabias-the-line/968749/21 "2022-07-31T05:18:59Z")

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I can see why a linear arrangement makes some sense - most stuff within walking distance, plus a single high speed transport system. But why not circular? That seems to have obvious advantages over a straight line. Is there some reason it’s better to have the orientation of the Sun constant along the whole thing?

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**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2022, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-arabias-the-line/968749/22 "2022-07-31T05:20:51Z")

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> [@gnoitall](#):
>
> Everything you need is supposed to be within a 5 mintes’ walk. I guess if it’s outside of a five minute walk, you don’t need it.

One assumes the time spent riding the elevator from your apartment on the 117th floor isn’t included in that five minutes.

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**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2022, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-arabias-the-line/968749/23 "2022-07-31T06:00:56Z")

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> [@Riemann](#):
>
> But why not circular?

I’d guess because a circle has to include the real estate within it so it covers more square footage than a line. Reading a few articles about it, it sounds like a pretty dumb idea that, even if it were technologically feasible, wouldn’t result in a good time for anyone.

> [@Riemann](#):
>
> Is it just that the outside is mirrored to keep it cool?

Dunno, I see a lot of references to it being mirrored but none saying why so it feels more like “Because it’ll look cool” than anything else. For a project that’s getting hyped as so environmentally conscious between the no-carbon and “95% land protected” lines, it seems weird to blast the surrounding landscape with mirrored desert sun. And the city would go near the cost and through mountains and stuff so it’s not just “who cares if the sand gets extra cooked?” At least the official NEOM concept shows is with nearby vegetation.

Of course, how actually environmentally friendly is a 100 mile long wall going to be?

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