Conceived of in the late 1990’s, the 30,000-hectare New Cairo territory extends a long-line of new town projects proposed for lands surrounding the Egyptian capital. Located 25km east of Cairo’s core, New Cairo was established by Presidential Decree in 2000 with the intention of relocating 4-million people out of one of the densest cities in the world. This urban area is composed of a collection of disconnected residential developments that vary in size, quality and cost. It includes a new CBD, as well as numerous corporate headquarters. Its location near Cairo International Airport is said to make it more desirable than other Egyptian new towns on the opposite side of the Nile (6th October City, for example). Barwa is a luxury gated community that when complete will include 2,400 villas; an 18-hole golf course; 38,000 apartments (in 4-8 story buildings); a regional shopping center; 3 office park developments; 4 hotels; a 320-bed hospital; 3 international schools; and a neighborhood mosque, adding yet another new enclave to the assortment of urban fragments that comprise New Cairo.
