NEOM’s Chief Development Officer Denis Hickey has revealed fresh details about THE LINE, a vertical metropolis under construction in Saudi Arabia, during a presentation at Davos.
Hickey outlined how the three-dimensional city will function as a high-density, car-free environment with an integrated transport network across its 500m height.
“Everything you need will be within a five-minute walk,” Hickey said, according to a report by the Saudi Gazette. “You will step outside your home and immediately have access to schools, restaurants, workspaces, hospitals and entertainment – without needing a car, ever. This isn’t just about making a city compact. It’s about designing a place that prioritizes human well-being over congestion,” he added.
THE LINE will maintain consistent height throughout its length, creating what Hickey described as a “canyon-like structure” where residents move both vertically and horizontally.
“This is not a single building – it is an entire city, with its own grid system,” he explained, adding: “Think about Manhattan. You don’t need a car in Manhattan because the subway and avenues make everything accessible. Now imagine taking that concept and evolving it – instead of moving just horizontally, The LINE allows you to move seamlessly upward as well.”
A key feature of THE LINE is its complete elimination of cars in favour of a six-tier mobility system. Hickey positioned this as a departure from traditional urban development. The transport infrastructure includes a high-speed rail network allowing residents to travel the entire length of THE LINE in 20 minutes, with a 25-minute connection to NEOM International Airport.
