THE LINE Appoints World-Leading Partners For City Design And Engineering In NEOM

NEOM, a sustainable development in northwest Saudi Arabia, has revealed the appointment of top-tier partners to spearhead the initial city planning and engineering for THE LINE. This linear smart city is currently under construction within NEOM. Delugan Meissl Associate Architects (DMAA), Gensler, and Mott MacDonald are collaborating with THE LINE's teams to provide urban design and infrastructure planning for the project's first phase.

With advanced methodologies, NEOM aims to achieve THE LINE’s urban goals through a sophisticated design approach. The subsequent phase will focus on neighborhood planning and design, set to begin in early 2025 by a group of architects. Denis Hickey, THE LINE's Chief Development Officer, highlighted the unique partnership formed to bring world-class expertise in city design and engineering for Phase One.

DMAA has been appointed as the urban designer responsible for leading the concept and detailed masterplan of Phase One. Their role includes challenging traditional planning norms by leveraging a vertically organized city model. DMAA will continue supporting NEOM by maintaining the design vision as neighborhood architects join the project.

Gensler, a global design firm, has been selected as the city planning consultant for Phase One due to the project's unprecedented scale and complexity. They will oversee city design coordination, planning policies, land use, and design compliance. Additionally, Gensler will act as the city asset design architect for critical infrastructure like transport hubs.

Mott MacDonald is joining as the city infrastructure engineer. Their focus is on managing vertical and horizontal structures and utility systems for Phase One. This role emphasizes designing an efficient and sustainable city that is functional and operable.

THE LINE aims to address global urban challenges by creating a transformative urban environment that harmonizes with nature. It will feature vibrant city living without roads or cars while offering green spaces and nature access.

Construction Progress

NEOM is concentrating on initial infrastructure phases alongside regional capital projects surrounding THE LINE. Over 120 foundation piles are being cast weekly at the Phase One site, marking it as potentially the largest piling operation ever undertaken.

The collaboration between these world-leading partners reflects NEOM's vision of innovation in city building practices. As construction advances, this partnership showcases how innovative approaches can redefine urban development globally.

With inputs from SPA