Egypt unveils plans to build new capital east of Cairo


#1

The Egyptian government has announced plans to build a new capital to the east of the present one, Cairo.

Housing Minister Mostafa Madbouly said the project would cost $45bn (£30bn) and take five to seven years to complete.

He said the aim was to ease congestion and overpopulation in Cairo over the next 40 years.

The announcement was made at an investment conference that aims to revive the Egyptian economy.

The gathering, in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, has attracted pledges worth $12bn (£8bn) in aid and investment from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Madbouly said the population of greater Cairo, estimated at about 18 million, was expected to double within 40 years.

The Egyptian parliament and its government departments and ministries, as well as foreign embassies, would move to the new metropolis, he said.

“We are talking about a world capital,” he added.

Developers say the new city - the name of which has not been revealed - would include almost 2,000 schools and colleges and more than 600 health care facilities. They say the project will create more than a million jobs.

It is planned to be built over 700 sq km (270 sq miles) and house about five million residents.

Planners say the proposed city’s site "is situated along the corridor between Cairo and the Red Sea, providing linkages to significant shipping routes.

It will be built by Capital City Partners, a private real estate investment fund led by Emirati Mohamed Alabbar. Dubai businessman Mr Alabbar built the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

That’ll be a humongous city. It’s going to be as large as Singapore. Kind of odd timing with this announcement as Egypt has been in a transition period with the military having ousted the Muslim Brotherhood regime and the army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi being elected as president last year.


#2

Interestingly enough, there is already a city called New Cairo City along the route towards the Red Sea. Perhaps this one will be called New New Cairo.


#3

Neo Cairo


#4

I also question the suggestion to place it in a very arid region when many fear a future global water crisis.