Delugan Meissl Associate Architects (DMAA), Gensler and Mott MacDonald are collaborating with The Line’s design, development and project delivery teams to provide urban design, planning consultancy and infrastructure design for the first phase of the city.

NEOM, with the support of this group, has established a design ecosystem with advanced and rigorous methodologies to deliver on the project’s urban objectives. This will then be followed by the planning and design of the neighbourhoods within phase one, which will be undertaken by a range of architects starting early next year.

Denis Hickey, chief development officer at The Line, said: “As development and construction of The Line progresses, we’ve established a unique partnership that brings world-leading city design and engineering expertise to deliver phase one. Collaboration is at the core of this, with a city-wide best practice group that will showcase how innovation can change the way we consider, design and build cities forever. This reflects NEOM’s vision and global ambition.”

DMAA has been appointed as urban designer, leading the concept and detailed masterplan of phase one. The project’s urban design will challenge traditional planning conventions that capitalise on a vertically organised city. DMAA will later support NEOM in maintaining the design vision of phase one, as neighbourhood architects are appointed. DMAA is working with experts across a range of issues, including microclimate and ecology, mobility and logistics, and sustainability.

Global design firm Gensler has been appointed as city planning consultant for phase one. Leading on city design co-ordination and city planning, providing leadership and governance across the project on crucial areas, Gensler is also appointed as city asset design architect for critical city infrastructure, including transport hubs and the public realm.

Mott MacDonald joins the project as city infrastructure engineer. It will drive management and control of vertical and horizontal structures and city utility systems for phase one. This role will focus on the efficiency and sustainability of the design for a functional, constructable and operable city.

The Line is being designed to tackle global urban challenges head-on and will establish a transformative and sustainable urban environment that co-exists in harmony with nature. It will be built without roads and cars, combining the vibrancy of city living with the tranquility of green spaces and access to nature.

NEOM is currently focused on the initial phases of infrastructure and enabling works for the new city. Set in a region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea, NEOM is being built from the ground up as a “living laboratory” for entrepreneurship. It aims to be a destination and a home for people who want to be part of building a new model for liveability, creating thriving businesses, and reinventing environmental conservation.