NEOM

Project overview

The Line, a centerpiece of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM development, represents a radical departure from traditional urban design, reimagining the city as a three-dimensional, linear entity. Designed with a masterplan involving global architectural leaders like Gensler, the project is defined by its "Zero Gravity Urbanism" concept. This approach layers city functions—home, work, and leisure—vertically, allowing residents to move seamlessly in three dimensions rather than across a sprawling flat landscape.

The masterplan envisions a structure only 200 meters wide but stretching 170 kilometers across diverse terrains, from the Red Sea coast through mountain ranges and desert valleys. By eliminating roads and cars, the design prioritizes human scale and environmental preservation, dedicating 95% of the surrounding land to nature. High-speed rail ensures that any point along the spine is accessible within 20 minutes, while daily essentials are always within a five-minute walk. Gensler’s involvement emphasizes the integration of hyper-efficiency with high-quality living standards, utilizing a mirrored facade to blend the massive structure into its natural surroundings. Ultimately, the project serves as a living laboratory for sustainable urbanism, aiming to house nine million people on a footprint of just 34 square kilometers, powered entirely by renewable energy.

Details

As the lead for the Phase 1 development program of THE LINE, I directed the strategic evolution of the masterplan to accommodate an initial population of one million by 2030. My role was pivotal in bridging the gap between visionary architectural design and operational viability, serving as the primary interface between the Gensler design team and elite strategy workstreams. I orchestrated a complex ecosystem of consultants, managing McKinsey & Company to establish rigorous global city benchmarking and PWC to lead high-level futurology workstreams, ensuring the city’s infrastructure was future-proofed against emerging technological and social shifts.

By integrating these data-driven insights with Gensler’s "Zero Gravity Urbanism" framework, I ensured that the vertical layering of city functions met both hyper-efficiency targets and commercial feasibility. I was responsible for translating abstract futurology concepts into actionable development milestones, overseeing the transition from conceptual masterplanning to a concrete production roadmap. My leadership ensured that the 2030 population target was underpinned by a robust economic and social strategy, harmonizing the project’s radical linear form with the practical requirements of a high-density, sustainable urban environment.

Specifications

Results

The project was a great success. The project was completed on time, and the client was very satisfied with the final result. The design plan was executed effectively, and the resulting space has exceeded expectations. The team also finished construction under the calculated budget.