Few countries had managed to build a new capital city or a modern Metropolis; due to parameters of funds, investments and operations.
Cairo Metro has chronic problems due to its demographic, economic, morphology and ecosystem; which would encouraged to surge a dramatic solution. Therefore; the governing bodies had chosen an extension named: The Administrative Capital. Apparently, it is too late to discuss ongoing contracts that exceed 20% of its GDP or $50 bln, and also too early to judge the convenience of selected concept. However, it is an occasion to extract lessons to be learned.
This new Extension of Metropolis will host more 7mln Cap in addition to existing 17mln; with notable population and business growth. Area will increase by 70,000 ha to total of 240,000 ha or roughly 30%. Currently, Cairo hosts more than 60% of Egypt’s GDP (P.B.Ortiz). It is said that the Government plans and works on expanding urban and economic infrastructures everywhere, which will enable evolving new cities and metros as well. Nevertheless, the business and political lobbies do not allow for fair assessment or understanding of the selection’s strategy and properties
The question shall be on the limits of Metropolitan Growth..?
This is why Paris Metro has slow yet balanced growth, while Guatemala Metro in a rush and inequality.. Accordingly, Cairo Metro is on a path of disastrous influx..
Maybe reducing business permits and enable alternative developed locations will be the early intervention..
Also, despite bureaucratic corruption and deviations, setting an annual construction GFA cap or quota can be a useful remedy..
Nevertheless, the green built is always a fast action; which has wider good and bad implications too..
I always adore the Satellite Cities to the Metros..!!
Notes from Pedro B. Ortiz
I his abstract on Cairo Metropolis: Problems and solutions in a global perspective.
Pedro B. Ortiz explains that Metropolises are growing very fast in the last 70 years and building up increasing economic power. They are a different animal species compared to cities.
The complexity involves many aspects and components: Economic, Social, Physical and Institutional. Their complexity has to be managed in a completely different way. Their governance is more nation like than a city like. They require Collective Intelligence to manage the difference.
In physical terms, metropolises are so because they benefit from location advantages. They have grown because of their strategic location controlling the interface between two ecosystems. This provides a matrix structure, unlike the orbital one of featureless plain cities.
Metropolises have to play chess, not darts. Polycentrism, not conurbation, is their strongest characteristic. The combination of these diverse phenomena requires an integrative methodology that makes evident both their inner DNA structure and the quick-wins aspects to be prioritized.
Let me say that for me the ‘New’ Capital is just an extension of Cairo to the east. Not comparable to Brasilia, Abuja, or others of a brand new foundation in the country gravity center.
On your other point, let me say, and I will point it out this afternoon: Cairo is 60% of Egypt’s GDP (2.500 USD/Cap) and 25% of the population (25 million out of 100 million). It means Cairo GDP/Cap is 6.000 USD/Cap and 1.000 USD/Cap for the rest of the country.
600%. 6 times more.
That has consequences.
Paris is 125%. Guatemala 400%.
That is why France has a 40.000 USD GDP/Cap, and Guatemala 4.000.
It is the balance between the metropolis and its country’s hinterland.