The urban transformation of Cairo as a project of projects

Cairo’s urban transformation reflects a multifaceted and ambitious approach to addressing the city’s rapid expansion, socioeconomic disparities, and infrastructural challenges. This study examines the evolution of Cairo’s urban landscape as a “project of projects,” where multiple largescale initiatives—including new satellite cities, infrastructural megaprojects, and the development of a new administrative capital—intersect to redefine the most populated African megalopolis. A sort of “collage city” that combines different examples of urban forms intertwined by the complex infrastructural network of roads. A city that has always built itself north-south along the Nile banks, as Hassan Fathy also reminded us, is experiencing an opposite growth in the eastwest direction, settling the desertic areas. The research aims to analyse the drivers behind these transformations, assess their sociospatial impact, and explore their implications for urban sustainability. The study employs a mixed- methods approach, integrating spatial analysis and case study evaluation to uncover the patterns shaping Cairo’s contemporary urban form. A form that, due to a dichotomous opposition between the historical nucleus and the modern sprawl, makes it less recognisable and understandable. Findings highlight the tension between the ongoing urban expansion and the existing urban fabric, revealing how these projects influence housing typologies and morphologies, mobility networks, and socioeconomic integration. The study concludes that while Cairo’s urban transformation seeks to alleviate congestion and modernise infrastructure, it raises critical questions about inclusivity, ecological resilience, and long-term urban viability. The research contributes to broader discussions on urban planning in the Global South, offering insights into the complex interplay between the city’s history and urban realities.