Saudi Arabia is currently dependent on oil exports, but the country is looking to reduce this reliance through its “Vision 2030” project. The project aims to decrease the contribution of oil and gas to the country’s GDP from 47% to 11% by 2030. As part of this initiative, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has announced plans for the “largest modern city in the world” to be built in the capital city of Riyadh. The centerpiece of this new development will be the “Mukaab,” a 400-meter-high, futuristic 360-degree virtual reality cinema.
The Mukaab will be a cube-shaped building with a 400-meter edge length, and it will showcase virtual content using the latest holographic technology. The cinema is expected to be the “first immersive destination in the world based on digital and virtual technology.” The building will be located in the northeast of Riyadh, and it will be surrounded by new buildings that will house apartments and offices. The new district will have over 100,000 apartments, and all facilities will be within a 15-minute walk. The project is expected to contribute $50 billion to the country’s GDP and create around 330,000 jobs.
The Mukaab will be part of an “autonomous city” called “The Line,” which will be a car-free zone. The city will be powered by renewable energy and will be designed to reduce the carbon footprint. The Line will be 170 kilometers long and will have a population of one million people. The city will be built in a straight line, and all facilities will be within a five-minute walk. The Line is expected to be completed by 2030, and it will be a model for sustainable living. The project is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil exports.
