Egypt’s New Capital City
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A part of the Egyptian Government’s development strategies, the vision for The Capital Cairo is a product of the collaboration of the Egyptian Ministry of Housing and Capital City Partners Ltd, a private fund of global investors, aided by the internationally renowned design firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM).
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) has released a conceptual masterplan for Egypt’s new capital city following its unveiling at the Egyptian Economic Development Conference. The 700-square-kilometer “Capital Cairo” hopes stimulate Egypt’s ailing economy and alleviate Cairo’s rising population density, while adhering to the cultural and climatic conditions of its site.
The design addresses the region’s growing demand for housing. Over the next three and a half decades, an anticipated doubling in Cairo’s population will occur, overwhelming the already dense city; the new capital will alleviate some of this congestion by accommodating several million people.
Laid out within a confined boundary, the Capital Cairo is grounded by several districts, ranging in function from business and administrative to cultural and innovative. Among these, 100 unique residential neighborhoods will provide housing. From medium to high-density, these will be informed by the region’s climatic conditions, employing passive cooling through natural breezes and incorporating native vegetation.
Each neighborhood is grounded by a central public space around which all the shops, schools, religious buildings, and other functions lie. This layout not only centralizes activity and improves accessibility, but also speaks of its place, drawing inspiration from the traditional layout of the region.
SOM