Latest news with #DenisHickey
Arabian Business
31-03-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
NEOM chief reveals first details of car-free vertical city THE LINE: Report
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 500-metre height. 'Everything you need will be within a five-minute walk,' Hickey said, according to a report by the Saudi Gazette. Saudi Arabia's 500-metre tall city THE LINE promises 5-minute access to all amenities '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.' NEOM chief reveals transport system for World's first major car-free metropolis 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. 'Urban sprawl is outdated. We are moving beyond the old way of expanding cities by simply adding more roads. The LINE will be the world's first major city built without cars. Instead, residents will move using a high-speed underground rail system, general mass transit, and a network of rapid vertical transportation.' 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. General mass transit stations will be positioned every 1.5 to 2 kilometres, while vertical transport nodes will replace conventional lifts, enabling movement both upwards and sideways. 'When people hear 'no cars,' they ask, 'How will I get around?' The answer is simple: faster and more efficiently than in any city today. The average commute will be 20 minutes or less anywhere inside The LINE,' Hickey said. The system will be complemented by micro-mobility solutions, pedestrian pathways, and AI-driven logistics. 2034 World Cup Stadium to float 350 metres above ground in NEOM's THE LINE Among the revelations was a stadium suspended 350 metres above ground, designed to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the report said. 'This will be a stadium like nothing seen before,' Hickey said. 'The playing field will sit at the height of the Empire State Building. Fans will experience games in a completely new way — suspended in the sky, with breathtaking views across the city.' The stadium forms part of a network of landmarks throughout THE LINE. 'We're not just building a place to live. We're building a destination,' Hickey added. 'Whether it's world-class sports arenas, concert venues, museums, or immersive public spaces, The LINE will be an experience, not just a city.' Hickey addressed concerns about exclusivity, emphasising that THE LINE is designed for a range of residents, not just the wealthy, the report added. 'This is not Billionaires' Row,' he said. 'We are designing a city where everyone has equal access to the best of urban living. In most cities, if you don't live near the park or downtown, you miss out on the best amenities. In The LINE, every resident will have immediate access to green spaces, infrastructure, and cultural landmarks.' The first phase, called Hidden Marina, will house over 200,000 people with integrated schools, places of worship, police and fire stations, hospitals, and commercial districts. Hickey also clarified misconceptions about THE LINE's glass facade and climate control. 'The glass facade of The LINE is not about trapping heat—it is about reflecting sunlight and maintaining a comfortable urban climate,' he said. 'The city will be breathable and open, allowing natural airflow and sustainable temperature regulation.' Artificial intelligence will manage transport, energy efficiency, and security, which Hickey described as functioning 'not as 'Big Brother,' but rather as a guardian angel—improving security, optimising transport, and making the city work seamlessly.' He concluded by confirming that THE LINE has moved beyond conceptual stages and is now under construction. 'This is not science fiction. The cranes are up, the workers are on site, and The LINE is becoming a reality,' he said.
Gulf Insider
28-02-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Insider
No Cars, No Limits: NEOM Reveals How Life Will Unfold In The LINE
Denis Hickey, chief development officer of NEOM, unveiled new details on how The LINE will function as a fully integrated, high-density, car-free city, emphasizing its livability, transport network, and groundbreaking design. NEOM shared a video of Hickey's session about THE LINE at Davos, where he provided a clearer, more immersive vision of daily life inside the city, detailing how residents will experience an urban environment unlike anything built before. For the first time, Hickey expanded on what it will be like to live inside The LINE. Instead of sprawling streets and neighborhoods, the city will operate as a three-dimensional vertical metropolis, built with modular sections stacked in a linear format. 'Everything you need will be within a five-minute walk,' Hickey said. '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.' The city's 500-meter height will remain consistent across its entire length, creating a canyon-like structure where residents will move vertically and horizontally with ease. 'This is not a single building — it is an entire city, with its own grid system,' Hickey explained. '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.' One of The LINE's most groundbreaking features is its elimination of cars entirely, replacing traditional road networks with an ultra-efficient six-tier mobility system. Hickey explained how this would transform daily movement. 'Urban sprawl is outdated. We are moving beyond the old way of expanding cities by simply adding more roads. The LINE will be the world's first major city built without cars. Instead, residents will move using a high-speed underground rail system, general mass transit, and a network of rapid vertical transportation.' At the heart of this system is a high-speed rail (HSR) network that will allow residents to travel the entire length of The LINE in just 20 minutes. The rail will also serve as a direct connection to NEOM International Airport, reducing travel time to only 25 minutes. Complementing this, general mass transit (GMT) stations will be placed every 1.5 to 2 kilometers, ensuring that residents are always within a short distance of reliable transport. Designed from the ground up, rather than retrofitted onto an existing city, this transit system will eliminate congestion and improve accessibility across the urban environment. Moving vertically will be just as seamless, with next-generation rapid vertical transport nodes replacing traditional elevators. These high-speed systems will allow residents to travel both upwards and sideways, mimicking a natural city grid but in a three-dimensional format. 'When people hear 'no cars,' they ask, 'How will I get around?' The answer is simple: faster and more efficiently than in any city today. The average commute will be 20 minutes or less anywhere inside The LINE,' Hickey said. The system is further enhanced by micromobility solutions, pedestrian pathways, and AI-driven logistics, all working in harmony to create an environment where travel is seamless, efficient, and sustainable. Another revelation from Hickey's Davos address was the futuristic stadium suspended 350 meters above ground, designed to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup and other global sporting events. 'This will be a stadium like nothing seen before,' Hickey said. 'The playing field will sit at the height of the Empire State Building. Fans will experience games in a completely new way — suspended in the sky, with breathtaking views across the city.' The stadium is part of The LINE's network of anchor assets, ensuring that every section of the city has iconic cultural and entertainment landmarks. 'We're not just building a place to live. We're building a destination,' Hickey added. 'Whether it's world-class sports arenas, concert venues, museums, or immersive public spaces, The LINE will be an experience, not just a city.' Addressing concerns that The LINE could become an exclusive city for the wealthy, Hickey stressed that the project is being developed with a full range of housing, including affordable and essential worker accommodations. 'This is not Billionaires' Row,' he said. 'We are designing a city where everyone has equal access to the best of urban living. In most cities, if you don't live near the park or downtown, you miss out on the best amenities. In The LINE, every resident will have immediate access to green spaces, infrastructure, and cultural landmarks.' He also noted that The LINE's first phase, Hidden Marina, will accommodate over 200,000 people, with schools, places of worship, police and fire stations, hospitals, and commercial districts all integrated into the urban fabric. Hickey also tackled concerns about energy use and climate control inside The LINE, explaining that the city will not rely on air conditioning as many assume. 'The glass facade of The LINE is not about trapping heat—it is about reflecting sunlight and maintaining a comfortable urban climate,' he said. 'The city will be breathable and open, allowing natural airflow and sustainable temperature regulation.' Artificial intelligence will play a crucial role in managing everything from transportation to energy efficiency, making the city not just technologically advanced but also highly adaptive to residents' needs. 'The goal is not to build a city that just looks futuristic—it has to function in a way that enhances daily life,' Hickey emphasized. 'This means AI that doesn't act as 'Big Brother,' but rather as a guardian angel—improving security, optimizing transport, and making the city work seamlessly.' Hickey closed his address by reaffirming that The LINE is no longer just a vision—it is actively under construction, with foundations already being laid. 'This is not science fiction. The cranes are up, the workers are on site, and The LINE is becoming a reality,' he said.
Zawya
28-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
No cars, no limits: NEOM reveals how life will unfold in The LINE
RIYADH — Denis Hickey, chief development officer of NEOM, unveiled new details on how The LINE will function as a fully integrated, high-density, car-free city, emphasizing its livability, transport network, and groundbreaking design. NEOM shared a video of Hickey's session about THE LINE at Davos, where he provided a clearer, more immersive vision of daily life inside the city, detailing how residents will experience an urban environment unlike anything built before. For the first time, Hickey expanded on what it will be like to live inside The LINE. Instead of sprawling streets and neighborhoods, the city will operate as a three-dimensional vertical metropolis, built with modular sections stacked in a linear format. 'Everything you need will be within a five-minute walk,' Hickey said. '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.' The city's 500-meter height will remain consistent across its entire length, creating a canyon-like structure where residents will move vertically and horizontally with ease. 'This is not a single building — it is an entire city, with its own grid system,' Hickey explained. '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.' One of The LINE's most groundbreaking features is its elimination of cars entirely, replacing traditional road networks with an ultra-efficient six-tier mobility system. Hickey explained how this would transform daily movement. 'Urban sprawl is outdated. We are moving beyond the old way of expanding cities by simply adding more roads. The LINE will be the world's first major city built without cars. Instead, residents will move using a high-speed underground rail system, general mass transit, and a network of rapid vertical transportation.' He emphasized that this design would remove the frustrations of traffic, pollution, and wasted time commuting, instead allowing people to reclaim hours of their day. 'When people hear 'no cars,' they ask, 'How will I get around?' The answer is simple: faster and more efficiently than in any city today. The average commute will be 20 minutes or less anywhere inside The LINE.' Another revelation from Hickey's Davos address was the futuristic stadium suspended 350 meters above ground, designed to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup and other global sporting events. 'This will be a stadium like nothing seen before,' Hickey said. 'The playing field will sit at the height of the Empire State Building. Fans will experience games in a completely new way — suspended in the sky, with breathtaking views across the city.' The stadium is part of The LINE's network of anchor assets, ensuring that every section of the city has iconic cultural and entertainment landmarks. 'We're not just building a place to live. We're building a destination,' Hickey added. 'Whether it's world-class sports arenas, concert venues, museums, or immersive public spaces, The LINE will be an experience, not just a city.' Addressing concerns that The LINE could become an exclusive city for the wealthy, Hickey stressed that the project is being developed with a full range of housing, including affordable and essential worker accommodations. 'This is not Billionaires' Row,' he said. 'We are designing a city where everyone has equal access to the best of urban living. In most cities, if you don't live near the park or downtown, you miss out on the best amenities. In The LINE, every resident will have immediate access to green spaces, infrastructure, and cultural landmarks.' He also noted that The LINE's first phase, Hidden Marina, will accommodate over 200,000 people, with schools, places of worship, police and fire stations, hospitals, and commercial districts all integrated into the urban fabric. Hickey also tackled concerns about energy use and climate control inside The LINE, explaining that the city will not rely on air conditioning as many assume. 'The glass facade of The LINE is not about trapping heat—it is about reflecting sunlight and maintaining a comfortable urban climate,' he said. 'The city will be breathable and open, allowing natural airflow and sustainable temperature regulation.' Artificial intelligence will play a crucial role in managing everything from transportation to energy efficiency, making the city not just technologically advanced but also highly adaptive to residents' needs. 'The goal is not to build a city that just looks futuristic—it has to function in a way that enhances daily life,' Hickey emphasized. 'This means AI that doesn't act as 'Big Brother,' but rather as a guardian angel—improving security, optimizing transport, and making the city work seamlessly.' Hickey closed his address by reaffirming that The LINE is no longer just a vision—it is actively under construction, with foundations already being laid. 'This is not science fiction. The cranes are up, the workers are on site, and The LINE is becoming a reality,' he said. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Saudi Gazette
28-02-2025
- Automotive
- Saudi Gazette
No cars, no limits: NEOM reveals how life will unfold in The LINE
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Denis Hickey, chief development officer of NEOM, unveiled new details on how The LINE will function as a fully integrated, high-density, car-free city, emphasizing its livability, transport network, and groundbreaking design. NEOM shared a video of Hickey's session about THE LINE at Davos, where he provided a clearer, more immersive vision of daily life inside the city, detailing how residents will experience an urban environment unlike anything built before. For the first time, Hickey expanded on what it will be like to live inside The LINE. Instead of sprawling streets and neighborhoods, the city will operate as a three-dimensional vertical metropolis, built with modular sections stacked in a linear format. 'Everything you need will be within a five-minute walk,' Hickey said. '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.' The city's 500-meter height will remain consistent across its entire length, creating a canyon-like structure where residents will move vertically and horizontally with ease. 'This is not a single building — it is an entire city, with its own grid system,' Hickey explained. '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.' One of The LINE's most groundbreaking features is its elimination of cars entirely, replacing traditional road networks with an ultra-efficient six-tier mobility system. Hickey explained how this would transform daily movement. 'Urban sprawl is outdated. We are moving beyond the old way of expanding cities by simply adding more roads. The LINE will be the world's first major city built without cars. Instead, residents will move using a high-speed underground rail system, general mass transit, and a network of rapid vertical transportation.' He emphasized that this design would remove the frustrations of traffic, pollution, and wasted time commuting, instead allowing people to reclaim hours of their day. 'When people hear 'no cars,' they ask, 'How will I get around?' The answer is simple: faster and more efficiently than in any city today. The average commute will be 20 minutes or less anywhere inside The LINE.' Another revelation from Hickey's Davos address was the futuristic stadium suspended 350 meters above ground, designed to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup and other global sporting events. 'This will be a stadium like nothing seen before,' Hickey said. 'The playing field will sit at the height of the Empire State Building. Fans will experience games in a completely new way — suspended in the sky, with breathtaking views across the city.' The stadium is part of The LINE's network of anchor assets, ensuring that every section of the city has iconic cultural and entertainment landmarks. 'We're not just building a place to live. We're building a destination,' Hickey added. 'Whether it's world-class sports arenas, concert venues, museums, or immersive public spaces, The LINE will be an experience, not just a city.' Addressing concerns that The LINE could become an exclusive city for the wealthy, Hickey stressed that the project is being developed with a full range of housing, including affordable and essential worker accommodations. 'This is not Billionaires' Row,' he said. 'We are designing a city where everyone has equal access to the best of urban living. In most cities, if you don't live near the park or downtown, you miss out on the best amenities. In The LINE, every resident will have immediate access to green spaces, infrastructure, and cultural landmarks.' He also noted that The LINE's first phase, Hidden Marina, will accommodate over 200,000 people, with schools, places of worship, police and fire stations, hospitals, and commercial districts all integrated into the urban fabric. Hickey also tackled concerns about energy use and climate control inside The LINE, explaining that the city will not rely on air conditioning as many assume. 'The glass facade of The LINE is not about trapping heat—it is about reflecting sunlight and maintaining a comfortable urban climate,' he said. 'The city will be breathable and open, allowing natural airflow and sustainable temperature regulation.' Artificial intelligence will play a crucial role in managing everything from transportation to energy efficiency, making the city not just technologically advanced but also highly adaptive to residents' needs. 'The goal is not to build a city that just looks futuristic—it has to function in a way that enhances daily life,' Hickey emphasized. 'This means AI that doesn't act as 'Big Brother,' but rather as a guardian angel—improving security, optimizing transport, and making the city work seamlessly.' Hickey closed his address by reaffirming that The LINE is no longer just a vision—it is actively under construction, with foundations already being laid. 'This is not science fiction. The cranes are up, the workers are on site, and The LINE is becoming a reality,' he said.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Satellite images show 'hidden marina' being built for Saudia Arabia's $2 trillion megacity
Satellite images show the construction of Saudi desert megacity Neom. Among other things, they show the "Hidden Marina" being developed. A new Business Insider documentary examines whether Saudi Arabia can realize its project plans. Satellite images obtained by Business Insider show the 'Hidden Marina' being billed as the first residential phase in scaled-back plans for Saudi Arabia's futuristic Neom megacity. The marina, set to cost $140 billion, is part of The Line, a 110-mile-long "vertical skyscraper" residential and commercial complex in the northwest of the country, which is set to be a centerpiece of Neom. The Line is the world's largest construction project, a $2 trillion megacity cutting through the Saudi desert. The entirety of The Line was originally scheduled to open by 2030, but the 1.5-mile Hidden Harbor is the only part likely to be ready by that date, according to a new Business Insider documentary. BI's documentary investigates controversies over Neom's design and environmental plans, as well as human rights concerns. Denis Hickey, NEOM's Chief Development Officer, told an event in Riyadh this month that planners envisage the "Hidden Harbor" as a futuristic 500-metre-tall mirrored structure. Hickey said the marina will stretch for 1.5 miles and contain hotels, shops, schools, and residential units for around 200,000 people. Rendered images released to Saudi media show a large entrance running under the mirrored facade to the marina complex. It resembles plans for the rest of The Line, which is envisaged as a 200-metre-wide, 500-metre-high mirrored structure. "We have already deployed significant resources to lay the groundwork for this ambitious urban revolution," Hickey said. Satellite images obtained by Business Insider show that while the "Hidden Marina" is taking shape, work on other parts of The Line is less advanced, and little exists of much of the rest of the project apart from earthworks. Neom is a key part of Saudi Arabian ruler Mohammed bin Salman's ambitious plans to transform his country's economy, pivoting it away from fossil fuels toward technology, innovation, and tourism. But even The Line has been significantly scaled back compared to the original plans, which was to house one million people by 2030. Bloomberg reported last year that Saudi authorities had altered their medium-term plans for The Line as they encountered obstacles in finding the money necessary for the project. Nadhmi al-Nasr, the project's chief executive, also left his position last year for unspecified reasons. Neom is opening in phases, with a luxury yachting island resort, Sindalha, welcoming its first visitors last October. Saudi Arabia also has ambitious plans to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Neom mountain resort Trojena, as well as World Cup 2034 games in a rooftop stadium that will be part of The Line. Read the original article on Business Insider
