A 750-metre vertical city that can accommodate up to 200,000 people sounds like science fiction, especially in a post-pandemic world wary of high-density living.
But an Italian architect who specialises in futuristic design says it could become a reality.
Luca Curci says his design for a cluster of "supertall" skyscrapers could prevent urban sprawl, damage to the environment and help to solve a global housing crisis spurred by overpopulation.
The Link is a series of connected buildings designed to maximise the use of space in our cities.
It features trees and greenery built into the balconies and terraces complex and is a scaled-up version of the famous Vertical Forest project built in Milan in 2014.
We have to create less urban sprawl and use less energy. This project is perfect for hard times like these
"One of the biggest problems facing the planet is overpopulation," Mr Curci told The National.
“The idea for The Link was born from necessity and circumstance because we have to rethink our ideas about urban design.
“For the past 100 years cities have been expanding in size, with people moving to the outskirts, but the result of that is the creation of a lot of poverty in city centres.”
Covid-19 led many to rethink living in the city. But Mr Curci said the pandemic showed the need for people to be less spread out and have more amenities closer to them.
His project was showcased at the Knowledge Summit in Dubai last year.
He said there had since been interest from both public and private sectors in the country, although no agreements have been made.
Although the cost of construction is likely to be in the tens of billions of dollars, he said the cost of expanding a major city was often higher and could be to the detriment of the environment.
“Massive levels of carbon emissions are created by people having to drive longer distances to get to work because they live on the outskirts of cities,” he said.
About 3.5 billion people live in cities around the world but that figure is expected to grow to five billion by 2050.
Mr Curci said it was all too obvious that existing urban models had to be rethought.
The Link will be made up of one main tower, with 300 floors, which will house up to 100,000 people, and three slightly smaller towers.
Between them the towers can host up to 200,000 people in a self-sustained vertical city.
The structures have been designed in a way that means residents will not have to travel further than five floors to have access to everything they could want.
The Link would contain offices, government departments and healthcare centres, as well as schools and universities.
Hotels, spas, gyms, shopping malls and bookshops are among the other attractions that Mr Curci envisages becoming part of the structures.
Energy efficiency is also high on the list of priorities, with the buildings designed to be zero energy.
An artificial intelligence system will manage the temperature and the levels of carbon dioxide and humidity. The Link will also host more than 120,000 trees and two million plants, Mr Curci said.
"Everything will become vertical in the future because we need to respect the land we have around the city centres," he said.
“We have to create less urban sprawl and less user energy. It will be a living system.
“You won’t have to invest in a new metro system or transport network like you would with other new developments because this will be in existing cities.”
Mr Curci has a history of making waves in the world of architecture.
In 2011, he was invited by Apple to design their stores in Italy and before that he designed a footbridge over the Seine in Paris.
He also teaches urban planning and interior design at the Bahcesehir University campus in Rome.
“If there are future pandemics the economy won’t stop because everything people will need, like pharmacies and stores, will be within five floors and they won’t have to leave their building."
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Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
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On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
