Egypt's Ambitious New Capital: A Mirage for Decongestion or a fortress for the Rulers ?

For over 150 years, Cairo has been home to the Egyptian rulers, with its iconic Parliament building witnessing the ebb and flow of the nation's history. Tahrir Square, at the heart of Cairo, has been the symbolic epicenter of several revolutions, marking significant moments in Egypt's struggle for political change. Despite its historical significance, Cairo has grappled with overpopulation, leading to congestion, inadequate infrastructure, and housing challenges.


Mohamed Elshahed, an architectural historian specializing in Egypt's urban development, challenges the narrative that overpopulation is solely a result of the people's actions. Cairo, officially founded in the 10th century, expanded chaotically along the Nile due to waves of migration from the countryside. Lack of affordable housing and essential public services fueled the growth of informal settlements, which today house a significant portion of Cairo's population.

Cairo, Egypt's sprawling and historic capital, has been the epicenter of political and cultural life for centuries. However, in 2015, the Egyptian government dropped a bombshell – Cairo's overpopulation problem would be addressed by building a new administrative capital in the desert, approximately 50 kilometers away. This ambitious plan includes constructing a new presidential palace, Parliament building, and public square in what is shaping up to be Egypt's New Administrative Capital.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's administration contends that this move will alleviate the strain of Cairo's overpopulation. However, a deeper look into Cairo's history reveals a pattern of building new cities as a solution, with limited success. The heart of the issue lies in the rapidly increasing population density of Cairo, one of the highest in the world, surpassing major global metropolises like New York, London, and Shanghai.

Mohamed Elshahed, an architectural historian specializing in urban development in Egypt, challenges the narrative that overpopulation is solely the fault of the people. Cairo, officially founded in the 10th century, expanded haphazardly along the Nile, driven by waves of migration from the countryside. Lack of affordable housing and inadequate public services fueled the growth of informal and technically illegal neighborhoods.

These unplanned settlements, home to 60% of Cairo's population today, were born out of necessity. With the majority considered poor, these neighborhoods have evolved, forming the backbone of the city. Yet, the government, under Sisi, points to them as the problem and has labeled them as "slums," signaling plans for eradication by 2030.

This approach echoes past attempts to solve Cairo's overpopulation issue by building new cities in the desert. From Nasser City in the 1950s to eight desert cities in the 1970s, these endeavors often lacked affordable housing and accessibility, catering to the middle and upper class. Despite these efforts, Cairo's density crisis persists.

Sisi's New Administrative Capital seems to follow the same trend, with areas designated for housing primarily targeting the wealthier classes. However, the underlying motive goes beyond decongesting Cairo. The new capital is positioned as a fortress against potential uprisings, a lesson learned from the Tahrir Square protests in 2011.

The symbolic and strategic shift of the government from Cairo to the new capital, coupled with extensive road widening and bridge construction, aims to make large-scale protests less feasible. Sisi, who ascended to power in 2013 through a military-backed takeover, seeks to consolidate his control and protect against potential uprisings. The government's actions suggest a deliberate effort to distance itself from the people, moving the seat of power away from the heart of public dissent.

As government officials begin relocating to the New Administrative Capital, questions arise about the real intentions behind this monumental project. Is it truly about solving Cairo's overpopulation crisis, or is it a strategic move to fortify the government against the will of the people? Only time will reveal the true impact of this grand endeavor on Egypt's political landscape and the fate of its historic capital, Cairo.