During the recent Arab Architects Awards Festival held in Cairo from 24 to 26 November 2025, Abdel Khalek Ibrahim, Assistant Minister of Housing, discussed the critical role of new and fourth-generation cities in addressing demographic distribution imbalances in Egypt. Notably, the population attraction to new cities has surged by 220 percent, driven mainly by the development of eastern Cairo cities like the New Administrative Capital, Mostakbal City, and New Cairo expansions, and western Cairo cities such as 6th of October expansions, Sheikh Zayed expansions, and New Sphinx City. Ibrahim highlighted that the Central Business District project, in the New Administrative Capital, spans 1.9 million square meters and includes 18 towers, with an investment of approximately EGP 190 billion (USD 4 billion). Approximately 12 million individuals reside in informal settlements, a situation that necessitates comprehensive solutions, including financing and the provision of alternative housing. The Ministry of Housing has allocated EGP 100 billion (USD 2 billion) for the development of informal areas, aiming to improve living conditions while partially subsidizing 40 percent of housing unit costs for citizens. Ibrahim further elaborated on ongoing urban development initiatives designed to restore Cairo’s central…
