Project Summary

Project: NEOM – THE LINE
Client: Neom
Location: Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
Area: 6,550,000 acres
Scope: Landscape Guidelines and Forest Strategy

Project Overview

NEOM THE LINE landscape architecture sets a new global benchmark for continental-scale ecological frameworks, afforestation guidelines, and sustainable urban living. NEOM – THE LINE represents a bold new vision for urban living within the 26,500 km² NEOM Special Zone, stretching from the Egyptian to the Jordanian border. Envisioned as a linear city of unprecedented scale and ambition, THE LINE aims to integrate human settlement, economic opportunity, and nature in perfect harmony. Schaduf Landscape Architects, in collaboration with SWA, was retained to develop comprehensive landscape guidelines and a forest strategy to shape the project’s long-term ecological framework.

When executing the NEOM THE LINE landscape architecture guidelines, our primary objective was to balance massive habitat restoration, water availability, and climate-resilient species selection while preserving 95% of the surrounding natural environment. You can explore our portfolio of commercial and public landscape architecture projects to see how we approach complex urban frameworks and ecological master plans.

Challenges

Four key challenges defined the brief for the NEOM THE LINE landscape architecture and guided our technical strategy:

1. Unprecedented Scale

Crafting cohesive guidelines across 6.55 million acres demanded a unifying vision that could be adapted to a range of terrain and climatic conditions.

2. Ecological Integrity

THE LINE’s ambition to preserve 95% of its natural environment required a forest strategy that balances habitat restoration, water availability, and species selection at continental scale.

3. Guidelines for Innovation

As a pilot for future cities, NEOM needed landscape standards that accommodate cutting-edge technologies—while remaining practical for phased development.

4. Stakeholder Coordination

Aligning environmental, engineering, and urban design teams on a shared set of landscape principles across multiple international partners.

Solutions: NEOM THE LINE Landscape Architecture Responses

Key solutions developed for the NEOM THE LINE landscape architecture and ecological strategy include:

1. Holistic Landscape Framework

We established a tiered set of guidelines defining typologies—from coastal mangrove restoration to desert wadi corridors—to ensure ecological coherence across all zones.

2. Forest Strategy

Working with SWA, we identified native and climate-resilient species suitable for large-scale afforestation and urban greening, creating multi-layered canopy structures that enhance biodiversity and sequester carbon.

3. Adaptive Standards

The guidelines include modular planting palettes, water-wise irrigation protocols, and maintenance best-practices, enabling local adaptation while maintaining a unified NEOM identity.

4. Collaborative Workshops

Cross-disciplinary charrettes brought together planners, engineers, ecologists, and local stakeholders to refine guidelines, ensuring technical feasibility and cultural resonance. Learn more about our specialized landscape architecture services for large-scale ecological developments.

Key Technical Highlights & Ecological Framework

The technical execution of the NEOM THE LINE landscape architecture establishes an adaptive foundation for high-density, low-impact urbanization across 6,550,000 acres.

• Multi-Layered Canopy Afforestation: Designed complex vertical vegetation strata that maximize carbon sequestration, create shaded microclimates, and foster native fauna habitats.

• Closed-Loop Irrigation Protocols: Formulated precision water-use standards utilizing recycled treated sewage effluent (TSE) and smart soil moisture monitoring.

• Coastal & Inland Typologies: Developed specialized planting palettes specifically tailored for harsh marine salinity along Red Sea coastal zones as well as arid inland wadis.

Outcomes

1. Integrated Ecological Vision

A clear set of landscape and forest guidelines now underpins all design phases of THE LINE, guiding everything from street-edge plantings to large-scale woodland belts within the NEOM THE LINE landscape architecture framework.

2. Proof-of-Concept Afforestation

Pilot demonstration gardens and test corridors have validated species performance, informing full-scale implementation.

3. Enhanced Stakeholder Alignment

Shared metrics and design tools have streamlined coordination among consultants, developers, and NEOM leadership.

4. Blueprint for Future Cities

The guidelines serve as a replicable model for other high-density, low-impact urban developments worldwide.

Conclusion

Schaduf’s landscape guidelines and forest strategy establish the ecological foundation for NEOM – THE LINE’s transformative vision. By marrying scientific rigor with visionary planning, we have equipped NEOM to realize a city that preserves nature, fosters innovation, and sets a new global standard for sustainable urban living.

As a milestone in NEOM THE LINE landscape architecture, the project demonstrates how scientific ecological planning and afforestation strategies can redefine sustainable urbanization on a global scale.