The new administrative capital of Egypt – an oasis built of steel

An oasis built of steel is the new administrative capital of Egypt. A large-scale infrastructure project, located on the outskirts of Cairo. It will be crowned by the tallest skyscraper in Africa.

In many cases, steel frames are chosen to develop urban projects. Steel structures are used for tall buildings with several floors, due to the benefits they offer. These being primarily the speed and ease of assembly during the lifting stage.

Regardless of whether the project is new or a redesign/reconditioning, steel frames offer benefits for both contractors and clients.

Steel constructions are growing in popularity all over the world. Many of the modern architectural wonders have been built using steel.

Halfway between the historic city of Cairo and the Gulf of Suez is the new administrative and financial capital (NAC) of Egypt. Still under construction, the new metropolis is already impressively rising from what was previously a 700 km2 expanse of desert.

The 20 million inhabitants of Cairo already make it one of the busiest cities in the world. And the statistics show that the population of the region will double in the next 20-30 years. The new city is expected to reduce congestion and stimulate economic development, as part of the Egypt Vision 2030 program.

Designed to house the main government and ministerial departments of the country. Also, foreign embassies. NAC will host a population of 6.5 million once it is completed.

AN OASIS BUILT OF STEEL

Planned with 21 residential neighborhoods and 25 „dedicated” districts, the city will boast a sprawling central park with man-made lakes and a steel and concrete „green river” that will run through the NAC, symbolizing the Nile’s path through Cairo.

The city will also include 2,000 educational institutions, over 600 hospitals and clinics, a technology and innovation park. As well as a huge theme park that will be four times the size of Disneyland.

Also, the city will host the new national stadium. A stadium with 93,000 seats, which will be the second largest in Africa. The stadium roof, which will be supported by a high-strength steel frame and steel suspension cables, is designed to resemble the ceremonial hairstyle of Queen Nefertiti.

SKYSCRAPER VALLEY

In the center of the NAC city, a group of skyscrapers is designed, which will host the city’s business district. The highlight being the Iconic Tower.

With a height of 394 m, Iconic is the tallest skyscraper in Africa. Inspired by the Luxor Obelisk, the building includes 40 floors of offices, 10 luxury apartments, with another 30 for a five-star hotel. On the 74th floor there is an observation deck, which offers an unparalleled view of the new urban landscape.

Safely supporting the full weight of the 78 floors requires 4,600 tons of high-strength steel reinforcement.

Huge engineering works are required to connect and power a completely new city. They must provide sewers, power cables and roads.

450 km of high-strength steel rails will be installed and operational in 2023. With an estimated extension of 1,750 km that will later connect the new capital with the city of Aswan.

The new capital of Egypt relies on the skills of the design and engineering teams that make such infrastructure projects possible. These teams needed materials that could be relied upon to create an innovative city, built of steel, that rises above the desert.

Steel producers strive to create a sustainable infrastructure. This is achieved by developing and supplying high-performance steel materials. Also, the development of design/construction technologies for their use in disaster-resistant structural steel buildings.

As far as steel is concerned, technology has continuously evolved, refining everything, from the manufacturing processes themselves, to the invention of ultra-resistant variants of carbon steel and alloy steel.