The Capital Cairo project is an ultra-ambitious venture that aims to build an entirely new capital city from scratch for the country of Egypt. The project will comprise a collaboration between the Government of Egypt, the Skidmore, Owings & Merril architectural and planning firm and international investor group Capital City Partners Limited. The proposed city will be seven times the size of Paris and twelve times the size of Manhattan. It will measure around 700 square kilometers
The city will be home to 7 million residents and will help create 1.5 million jobs. More importantly, it will act as a physical pressure valve for the presently overcrowded city of Cairo.
Despite the massive scale of the project, it has been claimed that it will be completed in five to seven years. This timeframe sounds supremely ambitious but if it comes to fruition, the as-yet-unnamed city could prove to be a model for other overcrowded cities in the developing world.
Behemoth African Cities
The Capital Cairo Project Will Create a New City East of Cairo
Trend Themes
1. Urban Expansion - The Capital Cairo project exemplifies the trend of creating entirely new capital cities as a solution to overcrowding in existing urban areas.
2. Sustainable Architecture - The development of the new city provides an opportunity to incorporate innovative sustainable design practices and technologies.
3. Economic Growth - The creation of 1.5 million jobs in the new city will contribute to economic growth and development in Egypt.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture and Urban Planning - The collaboration between the Government of Egypt and architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merril opens up opportunities for disruptive innovation in urban planning and design.
2. Construction and Infrastructure - The development of an entirely new capital city requires significant investment in construction and infrastructure, presenting opportunities for innovative construction techniques and solutions.
3. Renewable Energy - The focus on sustainability in the new city allows for innovative approaches to renewable energy generation and integration into urban infrastructure.