Saudi crown prince discusses design origins of The Line, the Kingdom’s iconic megacity

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaking on ‘Explore The Line: City of Future in the Deserts of Saudi - NEOM City’ (Discovery Channel)
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Updated 27 June 2023
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Saudi crown prince discusses design origins of The Line, the Kingdom’s iconic megacity

  • We want to create a new civilization for tomorrow, says Mohammed bin Salman
  • Crown prince: Saudi Arabia will keep proving the doubters wrong about megaprojects

RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has discussed some of the earliest ideas around the design of The Line, Saudi Arabia’s megacity of the future, and what the project means to the Kingdom and the world.

The ambitious modern city is part of Saudi Arabia’s flagship development project of NEOM, situated in the north of the Kingdom, and reimagines what urban living should be like in the 21st century.

The Kingdom wants to create a new civilization for the future and has urged countries to act similarly for the sake of building a better planet, the crown prince said in a Discovery Channel interview about The Line that aired on Monday.

He talked in the documentary about how the design idea behind The Line came about and what it will eventually mean for Saudi Arabia.

“Since we have an empty place, and we want to have a place for 10 million people, then let’s think from scratch,” the crown prince said.

“We talked about a lot of ideas, ‘why can’t we build a circle?’” he said, recalling the first steps in the city’s design process. We can connect it with mobility and build it “slowly until it was completed for 10 million people,” the crown prince added.

After brainstorming and a competition for the best designers for ideas on how the city should look, one design option stood out.

“They provided us with cities based on the existing methods but with better solutions,” he said. Except one, who said: “Let’s turn it from a circle to a line.”

From there, the crown prince suggested a tweak that would establish The Line’s iconic look.

“The infrastructure idea is good, but when you get in it, with the 2 km width, you don’t feel it,” he said. “I told the team, ‘how about if we take those 2 km and flip it (so that it is) two towers (across) the whole line, is that going to work or will it be too massive?’”

The result: A 170-km, 200-meters-wide urban design phenomenon that will run on 100 percent renewable energy, with 95 percent of land preserved for nature — and it will be car-free.

The look of the city was unveiled by the crown prince in 2022. He said the design would clarify the internal structure of the multilayered city and address the problems of traditional flat, horizontal cities.

The crown prince said the Saudi population in 2030 is expected to be between 50 and 55 million, significantly up from the current 33 million. “In 2030, we are going to reach the full capacity of the existing infrastructure of Saudi Arabia,” he said, which necessitated the creation of the new city.

“The Line will tackle the challenges facing humanity in urban life today and will shine a light on alternative ways to live,” the crown prince is quoted as saying on the project’s official site. “We cannot ignore the livability and environmental crises facing our world’s cities.”

He added: “Any new city is going to have to be top-down.” Existing cities, he said, have all undergone restructuring based on a constant problem-solution model, but a top-down solution facilitates building something like The Line.

The crown prince said that it was not enough for the futuristic city to just be technically possible, it had to be beautiful too.

“Engineering and design was not enough without art,” he said. “(We) don’t want to create a city without having the whole city as a piece of art.”

The crown prince said the project is grand in scope and fulfills its financial and other objectives.

“It’s massive, it’s huge,” he said, adding that he wishes he could explain it in a simpler way. “It’s something that creates a new way of building.”

The crown prince said Miami has a work and social life mix that is exciting for residents and The Line will aim to top that type of offering.

“In Miami, when you get out of your office, you are on vacation — immediately you are next to entertainment, culture, sport and retail,” he said. “We are competing with Miami.”

Residents of The Line will only have a five-minute walk to reach all facilities and high-speed rail will provide an end-to-end transit of 20 minutes.

Nadhmi Al-Nasr, NEOM’s CEO, said that works are progressing in the futuristic city as per the schedule.

Peter Fitzhardinge, head of tourism and marketing at NEOM, told Arab News: “The development is being done. NEOM is becoming a reality. I live in NEOM and I see developments every minute of every day. You have to come to NEOM to see the future of livability in the world.”

Of those that keep saying the current megaprojects in Saudi Arabia are too ambitious and cannot be done, the crown prince said: “They can keep saying that and we can keep proving them wrong.

“I can promise you there’s going to be something new and creative (in NEOM), but what is it? It’s unknown, we are going to see.”


Saudi OIC representative receives special envoy on Islamophobia

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation headquarters in Jeddah. (Twitter @OIC_OCI)
Updated 4 sec ago
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Saudi OIC representative receives special envoy on Islamophobia

  • The meeting reviewed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to support the fight against Islamophobia through the OIC and other relevant organizations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation received on Monday the special envoy of the OIC Secretary-General on Islamophobia, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saleh bin Hamad Al-Suhaibani welcomed Mehmet Pacaci, who was recently appointed to the role, in the Makkah region.
Pacaci assumed the brief after a decision by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, in a recent meeting in Cameroon.

The discussions included the envoy’s responsibility and future efforts to implement the OIC decisions regarding measures to combat Islamophobia.

There is a growing hostility towards Islam that threatens the principles of tolerance and global coexistence, SPA noted.

This comes in addition to the widespread animosity and hatred towards minorities, especially Muslims, perpetuated by extremist groups that promote such hatred, the report said.

The meeting also reviewed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to support the fight against Islamophobia through the OIC and other relevant organizations, it added.

 


Saudi Arabia’s cultural renaissance under spotlight at Riyadh forum

Updated 16 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s cultural renaissance under spotlight at Riyadh forum

  • Muntada gathering brings together 24 creatives to explore facets of Kingdom’s arts and culture developments

RIYADH: A five-day cultural forum organized by Fenaa Alawwal in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, and co-curated by Afikra, is exploring the theme “Introspection: the role of contemporary art practices in a time of change.”

The inaugural Muntada Forum of Contemporary Art Practices opened on Sunday night and will have five panel discussions during its run until Sept. 19.

There are 24 creatives exploring a diverse range of topics, which includes the role of Saudi Arabia’s artists in shaping the Kingdom’s global image.

There will be discussions on Saudi Arabia’s youth culture involving music, street art and fashion; the role of art professionals: navigating creativity in a structural setup; cultural hubs: the emergence of urban art districts; and the intersection of food and art.

The bumper-to-bumper traffic in Riyadh was not a deterrent for art enthusiasts, curators and interested locals from attending the opening at the building built in 1988.

The venue was designed by Omrania architecture company, as a part of Alawwal Bank’s Riyadh branch in the landmark Diplomatic Quarter.

The forum includes discussions on Saudi Arabia’s youth culture involving music, street art and fashion. (AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)

Every seat was occupied during the first panel which was titled “Soft power: Saudi artists’ role in shaping the Kingdom’s global image.”

It was moderated by curator Sara Al-Mutlaq with speakers, Ahmed Mater, a doctor-turned-artist, and Alia Al-Senussi, a cultural strategist, art patron and academic.

Al-Senussi told Arab News after the talk: “What we have really been able to embrace is the idea, (as) Ahmed Mater said, that it’s up to the artist to remove the power from the conversation.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The inaugural Muntada Forum of Contemporary Art Practices opened on Sunday night and will have five panel discussions during its run until Sept. 19.

• Muntada will conclude with a performance by culinary storyteller and social media sensation Nadir Nahdi.

• The first panel was titled ‘Soft power: Saudi artists’ role in shaping the Kingdom’s global image.’

“And soft power, in its kind of whole and holistic way, is really about translating who people are to the rest of the world.”

Mater, who is working on a new book slated for publication later this year, discussed how events over the past 45 years, starting with 1979 — his birth year — changed the course of the world, a topic which he will explore in his latest work.

He explained that each decade since 1979 has had events with major ramifications on the local and international fronts, which included the revolution in Iran and the seizure of Makkah.

The venue is a part of Alawwal Bank's Riyadh branch in the landmark Diplomatic Quarter, designed by Omrania architecture. (AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)

He also referred to events from the 1980s up to the present day, which include the Gulf War, 9/11, the Arab Spring and the rise of social media, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There was a big change happening in Saudi Arabia during these decades. I spoke about art as a mirror for sociopolitical events and the culture of changing and that’s what shapes our narrative, our story, our strength — by telling our story that shapes our life and our memory,” Mater told Arab News.

On opening night, curator Maya El-Khalil and Saudi Arabia artist Moath Alofi offered their insights in their keynote speeches.

Other speakers to come include Hala Al-Hedeithy from the Music Commission, Gigi Arabia, the founding director of Heavy Arabia; Nada Al-Helabi from MDLBEAST; and Mikey Muhanna, the founder and executive director of Afikra.

Other participants include Lulwah Al-Homoud, curator and artist; Oliver Farrell from Misk Art; Mayada Badr, CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission; and Sybel Vazquez from the Diriyah Biennale Foundation.

There will also be a kitchen lab dedicated to speaking about and celebrating all things food, hosted by celebrity chef Joe Barza.

Muntada will conclude with a performance by culinary storyteller and social media sensation Nadir Nahdi.

 


Deputy minister meets newly appointed Norwegian ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Updated 16 September 2024
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Deputy minister meets newly appointed Norwegian ambassador to Saudi Arabia

  • Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir received the Ambassador of Peru to the Kingdom Carlos Zapata in Riyadh

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati met with the newly-appointed Ambassador of Norway to the Kingdom Kjersti Tromsdal in Riyadh on Monday.

Al-Sati wished the ambassador success in her new duties, the Foreign Ministry stated on X.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir received the Ambassador of Peru to the Kingdom Carlos Zapata in Riyadh on Monday, to mark the end of his term in office.

Al-Jubeir commended Zapata for his valuable efforts to bolster the relationship between the two countries and wished him success in his future endeavors, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

 


Ambassador holds Mexico independence day celebration in Riyadh

Updated 16 September 2024
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Ambassador holds Mexico independence day celebration in Riyadh

  • Festive occasion brought together the Mexican community in Riyadh and friends of the embassy
  • Anibal Gomez Toledo: We are celebrating the 214th anniversary of the beginning of our independence from Spain

RIYADH: The ambassador of Mexico to Saudi Arabia, Anibal Gomez Toledo, hosted a vibrant national day celebration in Riyadh to commemorate Mexico’s independence day on Sunday.

The festive occasion brought together the Mexican community in Riyadh and friends of the embassy to highlight the strong ties between Mexico and Saudi Arabia.

The ambassador emphasized the significance of September as a month of celebration for both nations.

The ambassador said that the national day celebration hosted in Saudi Arabia held meaning for both Mexico and Saudi Arabia.

“Mexico and Saudi Arabia started bilateral relations back on September 12, 1952, so within the same month Saudi Arabia celebrates its national day on September 23,” he told Arab News.

“So September is a month of celebration for both Mexicans and Saudi Arabia.” 

The Mexico national day festivities took place in the Diplomatic Quarters Cultural Palace and welcomed ambassadors, Mexicans living in Saudi Arabia, Saudi authorities and friends of the embassy in an evening of celebration and music.

“It’s a very significant day. It is the most important day in our history,” Toledo said.

“We are celebrating the 214th anniversary of the beginning of our independence from Spain.

“At that time, a group of leaders headed this movement and they started the call on the night of September 15, so exactly at midnight on the 16th is when the movement started, and that is why we enact this special event that we are having today,” he said.

Guests followed the ambassador’s lead in waving flags and chanting “Viva la Mexico,” a chant that embodies the nation’s continued prosperity and freedom.

Toledo also highlighted a significant moment during the celebrations called “El Grito,” a tribute to the Mexican people’s battle cry when they rose up against Spanish rule on Sept. 16, 1810.

“Grito is the call of our founders when they started the revolution of independence. They called and started to gather, and we do something similar tonight,” he said.

“Saudis are very generous and very welcoming and very warm. We feel this warmth from Saudi people toward us Mexicans and Mexico.

“I have been here for almost five years, and I have this feeling of emotion when I am with a Saudi. We are not only friends but brothers ... I don’t know if we share the same DNA or something like that,” he said jokingly.

“We get along very easily; you can see how Saudis celebrate our day and how Mexicans celebrate Saudi national day.” 

The ambassador said that the two countries have been “working closely in the past five, six years.”

He added: “We activated our political dialogue, and now our bilateral dialogue is strong and solid. We have exchanged a number of high-level visits from both sides.”

When asked where he would like to see cooperation grow, the ambassador said that trade and tourism were areas of focus.

“Mexico and Saudi Arabia are G20 countries, two of the 20 largest economies in the world. I think we have great potential to continue together.

“Our bilateral trade surpassed $1 billion; five to six years ago, it was less than $300 million. We are seeing bilateral trade growing, and what I would like to have is to double or triple this figure.”

On tourism and cultural exchange, the envoy said that he “would also like to see more Mexicans in Saudi Arabia and more Saudis in Mexico.”

Toledo said that in May, the embassy signed an MoU between two higher education institutions in Mexico and Saudi Arabia, King Fahad Petroleum and Minerals and the Instituto Politecnico Nacional in Mexico offering scholarships for Mexicans to study their graduate degrees in Saudi Arabia.


Crown Prince meets with Egyptian prime minister

Updated 16 September 2024
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Crown Prince meets with Egyptian prime minister

  • Mostafa Madbouly conveyed greetings of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to King Salman and crown prince

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in Riyadh on Monday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Egyptian prime minister conveyed the greetings of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to King Salman and Prince Mohammed, SPA added.

During the meeting, they reviewed relations between the two countries, prospects for joint cooperation and ways to enhance and develop ties.

The meeting was also attended by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers for Shura Council Affairs Essam bin Saeed, and the Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi. 

Khalid Al-Falih, the Saudi Investment Minister, and Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan were joined by the Governor of the Public Investment Fund Yasser Al-Rumayan at the meeting.

The ambassadors of both countries and Egyptian ministers were also in attendance.