Egypt’s desert city project, named Jirian, was unveiled officially as a model urban-agricultural venture. It will take away roughly seven percent of Egypt’s annual Nile share from productive delta land. The water taken away will pass through glass-fronted mansions before reaching a vast agriculture project. 42 km from Cairo’s city centre, Jirian occupies 6.8 million square metres of land. A Nile canal would slice through the city center, occupying one-fifth of its area.
Jirian Project Factsheet
Location: In the strategic Sheikh Zayed Axis, within the 6th of October City. It is situated on the Middle Ring Road, offering connectivity to key landmarks like Sphinx International Airport and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Developers: Palm Hills Developments, Mountain View, Nations of Sky, and Egyptian government.
Area: The city will cover an area of around 6.8 million square meters
Residential units: The city is planned to include more than 20,000 residential units.
Job creation: It is expected to create around 250,000 jobs.
Key features:
- Residential units: The city will include a variety of housing options, such as apartments, i-Villas, a unique concept by Mountain View, villas, townhouses, and twin houses, many of which will have direct views of the “New Nile.”
- Infrastructure and amenities: It is being developed as a self-sufficient community with a wide range of services, including:
- Sports clubs and recreational facilities
- Educational institutions
- Healthcare facilities
- Commercial and retail areas with high-end brands
- Restaurants and cafes
- A media city
A yacht marina and boat docks
Timeline:
- Launch: The project was officially launched in 2025.
- First phase: The first phase is anticipated to launch in 2028.
- Completion: The entire project is slated for completion by 2030.
Facilities
The city would include residential sectors, shopping areas, an 80-story skyline, a yacht marina, and a free economic zone. Jirian is also linked to the New Delta project, which covers 2.28 million acres and will produce major crops. Furthermore, it will reduce Egypt’s bill for food imports. The project will also provide 250,000 opportunities for employment and house 2.5 to 3 million households. Egypt’s desert city plan is expected to be realized in five years. Five months ago, the construction began.
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Significance and Extent of Implementation of Egypt’s Desert City
Egypt’s desert city plan is significant in addressing the problem of water shortage, the economic crisis, and food dependence in the nation. Officials assert that it will enhance land value with non-conventional, innovative ideas. Backed by private constructors and the military-owned Mostakbal Misr agency, the project is a full range of development. It includes industry, logistics, housing, education, and health care. The development will also include green hotels, international universities and hospitals, and a cultural and media district. Additionally, it joins ambitious projects in the country such as the Marassi Red Sea project in the aim of boosting the country’s economy.
Strategic tourism value is gained from proximity to the Giza Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and Sphinx Airport. While expenses are not revealed, the project is part of a chain of mega projects initiated under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. They include Egypt’s new administrative capital. However, these projects have also piled up foreign debt, which stood at $155.2 billion in late 2024. Lastly, since 97% of Egypt’s fresh water comes from the Nile, the nation is still in conflict with Ethiopia regarding the downstream effect of the Grand Renaissance Dam.
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