Images by SOM
As originally reported by Dezeen, Egypt is embarking on an ambitious new frontier in urban design with Alam Al Roum, a visionary city project set along the Mediterranean coastline. Designed by the renowned international architecture studio SOM for developer Qatari Diar, this 20.6-square-kilometre masterplan reimagines how we can inhabit coastal ecosystems while setting a groundbreaking precedent for sustainable development across Africa.
A lagoon-waved coaster city to be built in Egypt.
Redefining the Mediterranean Living Experience
Stretching 7.2 kilometres near Marsa Matrouh, Alam Al Roum moves far beyond the traditional seasonal resort model. Instead, it introduces a vibrant, year-round coastal community. The masterplan weaves a 22-kilometre network of seawater-connected lagoons directly through the built environment. This intricate water system does more than offer stunning swimmable lagoons and waterfront neighbourhoods, it functions as a vital piece of climate-resilient infrastructure, proactively supporting natural stormwater management.
SOM’s Architectural Prowess and Sustainable Innovation
SOM’s design approach is deeply rooted in the unique climate and topography of Egypt’s north coast. Buildings and public spaces are strategically oriented to capture cooling coastal breezes and optimize natural sunlight, drastically reducing reliance on artificial cooling.
To future-proof the city against rising sea levels and shifting climate realities, the entire development will be elevated. Furthermore, vulnerable waterfront zones will be safeguarded through restorative natural interventions, including:
- Stabilised dunes and living shorelines to buffer against coastal erosion.
- Stormwater wetlands and riparian buffers to naturally filter runoff and manage water cycles.
Alam Al Roum city project will redefine human coaster living experience.
Connecting Global Waters: The Grand Urban Spine
At the heart of the masterplan lies a grand urban spine, a majestic boulevard that connects an international marina on the Mediterranean Sea directly with an inland mobility hub. This marine connection opens Egypt up to elite international maritime travel, anchoring Alam Al Roum as a premier global destination.
The waterfront downtown area is planned as a bustling year-round cultural hub, featuring a cultural pier, a striking lighthouse, an open-air amphitheatre, a yacht club, a local mosque, and vibrant public markets. Alongside these cultural amenities, the city will encompass residential neighbourhoods, resort and hospitality zones, world-class golfing facilities, an education district, and a thriving business hub. With construction on the first four-square-kilometre phase slated to begin in 2030, the project promises a seamless blend of commerce, culture, and nature.
Lagoon to wave across the city designed by SOM
Economic Catalyst and Africa’s Development Future
Beyond its architectural and environmental achievements, Alam Al Roum serves as a powerful economic catalyst for Egypt. By establishing a world-class, year-round international destination, the project will attract substantial foreign investment, boost tourism revenue outside peak seasons, and create thousands of jobs across technology, hospitality, construction, and marine logistics.
On a broader scale, projects of this magnitude signal a transformative shift in Africa’s development narrative. They demonstrate that African nations can pioneer high-tech, climate-adaptive urban centers that rival the most advanced cities in the world. By proving that cutting-edge sustainability and rapid economic growth can coexist, Alam Al Roum establishes a proud blueprint for the future of smart, climate-resilient infrastructure across the entire continent.
Editorial Note: At Buildace Magazine, we publish this feature in good faith, with full attribution to Dezeen as the primary source for the original project coverage. We celebrate the design prowess and unmatched creativity of SOM as they continue to shape the future of global architecture.
Alex Kabiru
Architecture Editor, Buildace Magazine