Saudi Arabia’s The Line project highlights severe human rights abuses, with reports of forced labor, worker deaths, and the eviction of thousands. Executives show indifference to worker safety amid claims of corruption. Designed inefficiently, The Line disregards sound urban planning, favoring a rigid structure that limits individual freedom and community evolution.
In Saudi Arabia, the construction of ‘The Line,’ a grand linear skyscraper, is plagued by serious human rights violations and flawed urban planning. Reports reveal workers facing dreadful conditions, including forced extended hours, leading to accidents and fatalities. Recent investigations highlight a disturbing lack of empathy from executives regarding worker safety amidst claims of corruption and discrimination. Additionally, the displacement of local villagers adds to the oppressive atmosphere surrounding this megaproject. Launched by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman as part of the Neom initiative, The Line aims to reshape urban living in the remote Tabuk region. However, criticism regarding human rights abuses related to migrant labor and forced evictions continues to surface. With reports of thousands uprooted and severe punishments for protesters, the grandiose vision for this city only deepens its tragic undertones. The design of The Line demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of urban planning principles. Unlike traditional cities, which reflect a balance of density and land use based on demand, The Line proposes a uniform city structure that disregards these necessities. Critical core areas will be underappreciated while the ends suffer from neglect, resulting in a future gridlocked by inefficiency. Proposed neighborhoods emphasize proximity to amenities, curtailing the natural evolution of businesses and community needs. Such restrictive planning not only stifles individual freedom but also indicates a troubling disregard for the rights of workers and the local populace. A city designed without acknowledging the dynamic nature of urban life ultimately illustrates a frightening framework underpinned by quite the opposite of humane treatment.
The Line is a major project aimed at creating a 100-mile-long urban structure in Saudi Arabia, framed as a part of the country’s Neom initiative. It promises to introduce advanced living conditions but has become notorious for its adverse effects on local residents and workers. The aspects of forced labor, eviction of villagers, and a lack of scruples by project leaders raise significant concerns about its execution and ethics, presenting a stark contrast between innovation and human dignity.
In summary, The Line’s ambitious design is overshadowed by alarming human rights violations and questionable urban planning principles. The ongoing exploitation of workers, forced displacements, and the inflexibility of this linear city raises critical concerns regarding the ethics of such a development. As the world watches, the tragic narrative of The Line unfolds, steering away from not just good design but also the very principles of human rights.
Original Source: reason.com
