Page 32 - Tropic Magazine Issue 34

TROPIC • PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Satellite suburbs

TOWN PLANNING
In Tropic’s latest investigation Credit: NEOM
into improving public transport,
we consider whether Cairns
leaders could learn from a
futuristic urban plan in
the Middle East.
Words: Renee Cluff

THE LINE project in Saudi Arabia “We need to transform the concept In our case, it would mean valuable
centres on a revolutionary lineal city, of a conventional city into that of a agricultural land to the north and south
much like the geography of Cairns. futuristic one. It will give residents the of the city could be maintained, ensuring
It’s radically futuristic, catering for a opportunity to reclaim time to spend sugar mills remain viable.
million people along a 170-kilometre on health and wellbeing.” Population expansion would also not
belt, with no roads or cars. At its core is a impact the World Heritage Wet Tropics
series of connected communities, rainforest.“Throughout history, cities
or city modules. In each community, were built to protect their citizens,” the
all essential services are accessible within Crown Prince said. “After the Industrial
walking distance. It’s supported by two Why should we accept Revolution, cities prioritised machines,
underground layers that connect the wasting years of our lives cars and factories over people.
modules. One is a service layer for high- “THE LINE will comprise carbon-positive
speed freight transportation, utilities, commuting? urban developments powered by 100 per
digital infrastructure and logistics. cent clean energy, providing pollution-
The other has a metro line which is also free, healthier and more sustainable
high-speed and caters for vehicles driven His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman environments for residents.
by artificial intelligence. Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia “Mixed-use communities will be built
Construction began a year ago, soon around nature, instead of over it.”
after the project was announced by His The legacy infrastructure project’s main THE LINE is part of a larger parent
Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, aims are to reduce pollution, traffic, project called NEOM, a fully automated
Crown Prince. “Why should we lose one and human congestion. The other benefit $500 billion region that will span Saudi
million people every year due to traffic conducive to the Cairns region is that the Arabia, Jordan and Egypt and be entirely
accidents?” he asked. modules are built around nature. powered by renewable energy.

MORE: neom.com

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32 • Tropic • Issue 34