• 1 day ago

A new resort city is set to be built in Egypt: here’s what it will be like

International architecture firm SOM has unveiled a master plan for a new city, Alam Al Roum, on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. Located near Marsa Matruh, the development will stretch for 7.2 kilometers along the coastline and cover a total area of ​​20.6 square kilometers, as reported by Dezeen.

A key feature of the project is a 22-kilometer network of lagoons and water bodies connected to the sea. These will weave between residential and public buildings and will also serve to collect and manage rainwater runoff.

The master plan includes residential neighborhoods, hotels and resort complexes, business and educational districts, golf courses, and urban infrastructure. Public amenities will feature a cultural pier, a lighthouse, an amphitheater, a yacht club, a mosque, and marketplaces. A main boulevard will link an international marina to a transport hub located further inland.

The architects have also incorporated measures to address changing coastal conditions, such as restoring natural ecosystems, reinforcing sand dunes, and creating wetlands and buffer zones of coastal vegetation. The design takes into account the local climate, including sea breezes and natural lighting conditions.

The project was commissioned by the development company Qatari Diar. Construction of the first phase—covering four square kilometers and including beaches, lagoons, and a marina—is scheduled to begin in 2030.

The developers envision Alam Al Roum as a year-round tourism and cultural hub.