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Egypt's Sisi looks to new desert capital to cement legacy
As far as the eye can see, building sites dot the horizon heralding the arrival of this crown jewel of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's grand urban plans.
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In this file photo taken on August 03, 2021 shows a view of the 'Iconic Tower' skyscraper under construction (expected to reach an elevation of 1000 metres) at Egypt's 'New Administrative Capital' megaproject, some 45 kilometres east of Cairo. This crowning jewel of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's grand urban plans was set to be unveiled on June 30 this year, the anniversary of mass protests, backed by the military, against the divisive rule of late Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013. But the launch was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic that led to a downturn in the market. (AFP/Khaled Desouki)
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n opulent presidential palace, a brand new parliament, a regal opera house and spacious parks are all part of the vision for an ambitious new administrative capital rising up out of the Egyptian desert.
As far as the eye can see, building sites dot the horizon heralding the arrival of this crown jewel of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's grand urban plans.
About 50 kilometres (30 miles) east of the north African country's 1,000-year-old capital, Cairo, construction workers are racing to finish the project.
It had been set to be unveiled on June 30 -- the date marking the anniversary of 2013 mass protests, backed by the military, which toppled the divisive rule of late Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.
But the launch was postponed because of the Covid pandemic that led to a downturn in the market.
After a series of false starts, Sisi this month issued a directive for civil servants to relocate to the new capital in December for a "six-month trial period".
The city is forecast to cost around $45 billion, is roughly the size of Singapore, and has been touted as a solution to overpopulation in the sprawling metropolis of Cairo, home to more than 20 million people.
