NEOM’s Futuristic City, THE LINE, Set to Begin Vertical Construction This Year

Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: NEOM’s revolutionary urban development, THE LINE, is poised to redefine city living, with vertical construction scheduled to commence by the end of this year. Designed to tackle modern urbanization challenges, THE LINE aims to set new standards in sustainability, accessibility, and efficiency.

Speaking at a NEOM Talks session in Davos last week, Denis Hickey, Chief Development Officer, credited the visionary leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for pushing the boundaries of urban planning. Hickey underscored the flaws of traditional city designs, which have relied on motor vehicles for over a century, leading to significant social and environmental challenges.

THE LINE, in contrast, is a master-planned, car-free city that will accommodate 9 million residents across a 170-kilometer span while maintaining a width of just 1.2 kilometers. “THE LINE is more than a city; it’s a paradigm shift in urban development,” Hickey remarked.

Powered entirely by renewable energy, the city integrates nature with high-density urban living while leveraging advanced digital solutions to enhance residents’ quality of life. Hickey drew parallels with Manhattan’s 1811 grid design, noting that while Manhattan stretches 22 kilometers in length, THE LINE will extend over 100 kilometers with a vertically layered structure that eliminates congestion.

The city’s design will feature primary decks every 100 meters, serving as boulevards for traffic and infrastructure, with vertical transport systems ensuring seamless mobility. Hickey described this innovative layout as a solution to urban sprawl, offering a highly efficient living environment.

To highlight the project’s scale, Hickey compared THE LINE’s initial phase, which spans 20 million square meters, to the Burj Khalifa’s 300,000 square meters of gross floor area. “The teams are currently focused on infrastructure and laying the foundations, with vertical construction set to begin this year,” he confirmed.

As anticipation for THE LINE continues to grow, Hickey promised more updates throughout the year. “This marks the dawn of a new era in urban living,” he concluded. “THE LINE represents a future where cities harmoniously coexist with nature while ensuring an unparalleled quality of life for generations to come.”