Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has inaugurated a smart city of New Mansoura situated in the middle of three governorates that are Daqahliyah, Damietta, and Kafr El Sheikh. The new city was built to alleviate overcrowding in the existing city of Mansoura, as well as to provide modern amenities and better infrastructure for residents. The new city has been designed with sustainability in mind, and includes a green belt that will surround the city and help to combat desertification.
The city of New Mansoura is a beautiful, fourth-generation city located on the Mediterranean coast. The city features a lovely corniche that stretches for 15 kilometres, as well as central parks and entertainment venues. New Mansoura is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the lovely Mediterranean weather.
Assem El Gazar, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, noted that the city of Alexandria has beaches which are affordable for all levels of income. Additionally, 25% of the city’s surface area is composed of green space and landscape. This makes Alexandria an enjoyable and livable city for all residents.
New Mansoura is a city located in the Daqahliyah Governorate of Egypt. It is home to New Mansoura University, the new headquarters of Daqahliyah Security Directorate, and a complex offering civil services. Additionally, the city has a digital control centre to manage utilities. New Mansoura is a relatively new city, having been founded in the late 20th century. It is named after Mansoura University, which is located in the city.
President Sisi noted that the decree sanctioning the construction of New Mansoura City was issued in 2010, and that now, finally the plan became a reality. That is the outcome of investing LE3.5 billion in the city’s infrastructure alone.
The city will include a university hospital, residential neighbourhoods, a commercial district, and a green space. It is expected to house up to 500,000 people and create 80,000 jobs. The project is a part of the Egyptian government’s plan to invest in infrastructure and create jobs in order to improve the country’s economy.
President Sisi noted that the government is implementing a plan to build 30 new cities, stressing that they are not a luxury. Rather, they are a necessity to cope with increasing urbanisation generated by a staggering population growth, and to combat building houses in agricultural lands.
President Sisi emphasised that the new cities are not a luxury, but are instead a necessary response to the growing problem of urbanisation in Egypt. He noted that the country’s population is growing rapidly, and that this is leading to more houses being built in agricultural land – something which the new cities will help to combat.
Minister Gazar clarified that the first phase of New Mansoura encompasses 11,232 luxury flats whose surface areas range between 120 and 150 square metres, 203 villas, and 1,392 social housing units. The buildings will be served by 1,032 parking spaces, a five-star hotel, a hospital, schools, a sports club, and a mall.
The first phase of the city spans over 2,063 feddans and it has cost LE45 billion. The surface area set for the city is 7,200 feddans. The first phase comprises residential, commercial, and public service areas, in addition to a conference centre, a hotel, and a sports complex. Future phases will add an airport and a hospital, among other amenities. The city is situated on the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, about 40 kilometres from Cairo.
In recent years, Egypt has been working to improve its infrastructure in order to keep up with population growth. One of the most important projects has been the construction of a desalination plant in New Mansoura. The plant, which is valued at over one billion Egyptian pounds, will provide clean drinking water for the city’s residents.
President Sisi has indicated that similar plants will be built in other coastal cities in Egypt. This is necessary because the country’s 55.5 billion cubic metres of Nile water is not enough to meet the needs of the growing population. The desalination plants will help to close the gap and ensure that everyone has access to clean water.