THE LINE Exhibition Comes to Riyadh to Showcase Revolutionary Designs

Unlike traditional cities, THE LINE will run on 100% renewable energy
Unlike traditional cities, THE LINE will run on 100% renewable energy
TT

THE LINE Exhibition Comes to Riyadh to Showcase Revolutionary Designs

Unlike traditional cities, THE LINE will run on 100% renewable energy
Unlike traditional cities, THE LINE will run on 100% renewable energy

NEOM has announced the launch of THE LINE Experience, the third edition of the exhibition that will showcase NEOM’s futuristic city’s innovative urban designs in the Kingdom’s capital.

Set to be hosted at the Diriyah Biennale Foundation for Contemporary Art at Diriyah’s JAX district, the exhibition will welcome guests over a period of six months between November 6 and April 29.

This unique edition of THE LINE designs exhibition will offer a far more enriching and engaging experience that takes visitors on an unparalleled journey, enabling them to learn first-hand about the urban planning and architectural features that will redefine livability in THE LINE, as well as receive an in-depth view of NEOM’s sectors and its surrounding natural landscapes where people and technology will come together in harmony with nature.

The exhibition will be open from Sunday to Wednesday: 9:00 am to 11:00 pm; Thursday and Saturday: 9:00 am to 12:00 midnight and Friday: 3:00 pm to 12:00 midnight. Attendees have the option to avail guided tours that will be delivered in both Arabic and English to allow them to explore THE LINE’s spectacular designs in detail.

Unlike traditional cities, THE LINE will run on 100% renewable energy and prioritize health and well-being over transportation and infrastructure. The designs provide the most important characteristics of the city, which is 200 meters wide, 170 kilometers long and rises 500 meters above sea level. Covering an area of 34 square kilometers, THE LINE’s small footprint will contribute to conserving 95% of NEOM’s land and supporting environmental sustainability. The linear city will ultimately be home to nine million residents.

THE LINE design is based on a new concept of ‘Zero Gravity Urbanism’ which is the idea of layering city functions vertically while enabling inhabitants to move seamlessly in the city in three directions – up, down and across. This concept facilitates mobility throughout the city, offering quick access to offices, schools, parks and residential facilities. THE LINE’s unique modular design ensures that all facilities and amenities can be accessed within a five-minute walk.

THE LINE Experience introduces the citizens and visitors like never before to the concept of THE LINE and the project’s unprecedented designs, which were first announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz in July earlier this year.



UK's Catherine Turns 43 Hoping for Better Year

Catherine, Princess of Wales, walks to attend the Royal Family's Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene's church, as the Royals take residence at the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain December 25, 2024. REUTERS/Toby Melville
Catherine, Princess of Wales, walks to attend the Royal Family's Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene's church, as the Royals take residence at the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain December 25, 2024. REUTERS/Toby Melville
TT

UK's Catherine Turns 43 Hoping for Better Year

Catherine, Princess of Wales, walks to attend the Royal Family's Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene's church, as the Royals take residence at the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain December 25, 2024. REUTERS/Toby Melville
Catherine, Princess of Wales, walks to attend the Royal Family's Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene's church, as the Royals take residence at the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain December 25, 2024. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Catherine, Princess of Wales celebrates her 43rd birthday on Thursday, seeking to turn the page on a turbulent year which saw her retreat from public life to fight cancer.

Kate, as she is commonly known, is expected to step up her royal engagements in 2025 after announcing in September that she had completed chemotherapy for an unspecified cancer, AFP reported.

Kensington Palace has not said where the Princess of Wales plans to mark the start of her 44th year but she usually spends it surrounded by family in Norfolk.

Her husband Prince William, heir to the British throne, was regularly photographed alone last year as both Kate and his father King Charles III received treatment for the disease.

But the royal couple are set to make more appearances together over the next 12 months as they eye a return to normality, with William suggesting that an overseas trip may even be on the cards.

The princess has not taken part in an official foreign visit since she attended the Rugby World Cup in France in October 2023.

"I think hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so we'll have some more trips maybe lined up," William said during a visit to Cape Town in November.

Catherine's birthday comes almost a year since she was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16, 2024.

She spent nearly two weeks in the London Clinic after her operation, and was recuperating at home when she discovered that she had cancer and had to begin chemotherapy.

Her lack of public appearances sparked wild speculation online about her condition and whereabouts, which Kate finally put to bed with a video message on Instagram in March revealing her diagnosis.

She won plaudits for her openness and received an outpouring of support, but the announcement also plunged the monarchy into crisis given that her father-in-law Charles was battling the disease as well.

Catherine received further praise following the release of a new video in September, in which she said that the previous nine months had been "incredibly tough".

'Brutal' year
In a touching video that featured William and their three children -- George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6 -- Catherine said that she was cancer free and looking forward to undertaking more engagements "when I can".

Her gradual return to public life late last year included attending the Emir of Qatar's state visit to Britain and the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies honouring the UK's war dead.

She also visited Southport in northwest England to meet people affected by a knife attack in July that killed three young girls.

Catherine reflected on "the most difficult times" as she hosted a Christmas service at Westminster Abbey last month, which came after William described the "brutal" year as the "hardest" of his life.

Catherine, hugely popular in Britain since her marriage to William in 2011, is adored by UK newspapers, who praise her elegance and warm attitude to the public during royal engagements.

The future queen is the daughter of a flight attendant and air traffic controller who went on to make a fortune from a business supplying party items.

Catherine met William in the early 2000s at the University of St Andrews in Scotland where she studied art history, before they wed in 2011.

She is seen as a key figure in maintaining the royals' position and relevance in a changing Britain.

Her public engagements this year are likely to feature the various charities she supports in early years education.

Catherine and William may also be called upon to attend the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on May 8 and Victory over Japan Day on August 15, which mark the end of World War II.

The royal couple also have their daughter's milestone 10th birthday to look forward to in May.