I keep wondering why this city is designed in a long straight line. The only reason seems to be to give people a view of nature. But that long building will also block any animal or human migratory paths. And I'm concerned about the effects on birds of these very, very tall mirrored walls. Also the reflections and shadows (we experience these in NYC with the supertall skyscrapers -- a recently built one shines a powerful, nearly blinding, beam of light into my apt. at various times of the day). So, while I love many of the ideas that went into this city plan, I also wonder about it's impact on the world outside of it.
Wow. It seems like science fiction. Although, I am sure it is possible. I am all for walkability. We live 1/2 mile from groceries and restaurants and frequently walk to them instead of drive. I do wonder how such a massive community of people is sustainable in the desert, though. Water has to come from somewhere. And they don’t get much rain. Unless they are planning on using desalination. And where does the waste/garbage go? Total recycling is not realistic yet.
And, of course, not everyone is cut out for high density living. After a few days visiting my daughter in Manhattan, I am ready to get back to North Carolina where I can walk without constantly dodging people. And have space, and greenery, to myself. 🤣
Still it is a fascinating concept. And probably better than our current urban/suburban sprawl/abandon method.
Great article. I lived in Monterey for 2 years and while I was there I didn’t own a car. I walked and biked everywhere, every day. I took the bus when I had to. I miss that lifestyle honestly. I wonder if I can ever get that back. Thanks for the shoutout, Elle! I hope your readers get as much enjoyment out of the story as I got while writing it.
This makes me think of the documentary The Human Scale which asserts that city traffic cannot be fixed by more roads, but only by less roads and more pedestrian areas.
I keep wondering why this city is designed in a long straight line. The only reason seems to be to give people a view of nature. But that long building will also block any animal or human migratory paths. And I'm concerned about the effects on birds of these very, very tall mirrored walls. Also the reflections and shadows (we experience these in NYC with the supertall skyscrapers -- a recently built one shines a powerful, nearly blinding, beam of light into my apt. at various times of the day). So, while I love many of the ideas that went into this city plan, I also wonder about it's impact on the world outside of it.
Wow. It seems like science fiction. Although, I am sure it is possible. I am all for walkability. We live 1/2 mile from groceries and restaurants and frequently walk to them instead of drive. I do wonder how such a massive community of people is sustainable in the desert, though. Water has to come from somewhere. And they don’t get much rain. Unless they are planning on using desalination. And where does the waste/garbage go? Total recycling is not realistic yet.
And, of course, not everyone is cut out for high density living. After a few days visiting my daughter in Manhattan, I am ready to get back to North Carolina where I can walk without constantly dodging people. And have space, and greenery, to myself. 🤣
Still it is a fascinating concept. And probably better than our current urban/suburban sprawl/abandon method.
Thanks for this. Very interesting concept, now I want to figure out how to incorporate in the world I write in. :)
Great article. I lived in Monterey for 2 years and while I was there I didn’t own a car. I walked and biked everywhere, every day. I took the bus when I had to. I miss that lifestyle honestly. I wonder if I can ever get that back. Thanks for the shoutout, Elle! I hope your readers get as much enjoyment out of the story as I got while writing it.
It may interest you to know they’ve actually started work on it https://www.dezeen.com/2022/10/22/this-week-drone-footage-construction-the-line-saudi-arabia/
This makes me think of the documentary The Human Scale which asserts that city traffic cannot be fixed by more roads, but only by less roads and more pedestrian areas.