Lagoons will weave through new Egyptian city masterplanned by SOM

International architecture studio SOM has unveiled plans for a new city in Egypt named Alam Al Roum, which will stretch 7.2 kilometres along the Mediterranean coastline.

Set to be built near Marsa Matrouh, the 20.6-square-kilometre masterplan features swimmable lagoons alongside 22 kilometres of seawater-connected lagoons, which will weave through the built environment to support stormwater management.

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“The Mediterranean is home to some of the world’s great cities, shaped over centuries by climate, culture and economic forces,” said SOM principal Thomas Hussey.

“Alam Al Roum presents a rare opportunity to imagine a new city from the ground up, one that responds to the realities of climate change while offering an exceptional quality of life.”

SOM designed the masterplan around Egypt’s north coast landscape and climate, orienting buildings and public spaces to take advantage of coastal breezes and sunlight.

The development will be elevated to accommodate changing coastal conditions, while waterfront areas will be protected with natural interventions such as riparian buffers, stormwater wetlands, stabilised dunes and living shorelines.

Designed for developer Qatari Diar, Alam Al Roum will comprise beachfront and lagoon-side neighbourhoods, town centres, areas for hospitality and resorts, golfing facilities, an education district and a business hub.

A grand boulevard will form an urban spine connecting an international marina on the Mediterranean Sea with a mobility hub further inland.

Aiming to establish the city as a year-round cultural destination, Alam Al Roum’s waterfront downtown will contain a cultural pier, lighthouse, amphitheatre, yacht club, mosque, and markets.

The first phase of the city development is expected to commence in 2030, comprising a four-square-kilometre area with a beachfront stretch, open-sea-connected lagoons and a town-centre marina.

“Alam Al Roum represents our vision for a new generation of Mediterranean destinations – one that goes beyond the traditional seasonal resort to create a vibrant, year-round coastal city,” said Qatari Diar CEO Hamad bin Talal Al-Thani.

“We are bringing together nature, the sea, hospitality and everyday life within a carefully planned environment that reflects the unique character of Egypt’s north coast,” he continued.

“Through our partnership with SOM and our global network of experts, we are creating a destination that is rooted in its landscape and climate, while setting a new benchmark for integrated coastal development in the Mediterranean.”

In recent years, Egypt established a new capital city east of Cairo. The initial design concept for the city was designed by SOM and further developed by the international building consultancy Dar al-Handasah Shair & Partners.

Images by SOM

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