Ras El-Hekma: Egypt’s New Master-Planned City on the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean coastline of Egypt has seen many spectacles throughout human history, important clashes and battles of grand conflicts during the times of the Romans and Ottomans, up until the North African theater of WW2. It also saw many developments of human culture, architecture, and ingenuity – there are sunken cities from bygone ages, and Alexandria still stands after thousands of years is an example of human settlement and culture.
In recent years, however, the focus has shifted to developing this region as a hub for sustainable urban living and tourism. The investors of the United Arab Emirates and their partners in the Egyptian government see it as so.
Above map by RasAlHekma.com showing distances to Cairo and New Cairo.
Ras El-Hekma is situated on Egypt’s northwestern Mediterranean coast, approximately 85 kilometers west of El Alamein and just under 300 kilometers from Cairo. This pristine location is known for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and moderate climate, making it an ideal spot for tourism and luxury real estate development. The area is historically significant, with proximity to the historic WW2 battlefield of El Alamein and the ancient Mediterranean trade routes.
However in the 20th and early 21st centuries it has not been inhabited by many people, except for roaming bands of Bedouin and a few summer houses. By contrast, the established Red Sea resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada are much more developed and far more visited than Ras El Hekma. The Mediterranean Coast in terms of commercial projects is simply not as well-known by investment or global reputation as the Red Sea resorts. However, a shift was initiated by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's government to also prioritize the Mediterranean Coast for resorts, and Ras El Hekma is at the front of this shift.
Ras El-Hekma is being developed as a master-planned, multi-functional city, combining residential, recreational, and commercial spaces with an emphasis on sustainability and luxury. The key objectives of this initiative include the stated objectives by the investors and the government:
1) Attracting Foreign Investment: Ras El-Hekma is envisioned as a magnet for foreign direct investment (FDI) in real estate, tourism, and infrastructure, further strengthening Egypt's position as a global investment hub. The injection of cash by UAE investors back in 2024 made up a solid chunk of the FDI Egypt received last year.
2) Boosting Tourism: By leveraging the natural beauty of the Mediterranean coast, Ras El-Hekma aims to attract millions of international and domestic tourists annually. This is already being done on a small scale with events like the El Gouna Film Festival. With eased electronic Egyptian business visas, Ras El-Hekma could hold high potential to host trade shows for the whole Mediterranean region in the coming years.
3) Urban Expansion: The city is part of a broader plan to ease population pressures on Cairo and the Nile Delta by promoting urbanization in less densely populated areas. This is just a small part of the bigger picture, such as the New Capital, and so on (see the previous ESW Patreon article on greening the Egyptian deserts).
4) Sustainability and Innovation: Ras El-Hekma is designed to incorporate modern urban planning principles, including smart infrastructure, renewable energy, and eco-friendly construction techniques to reduce cooling bills. This is feasible since it’s building from a completely clean slate.
The city will be built in phases, with a focus on creating distinct zones tailored to different activities and purposes. Key components of the master plan include:
1. Residential Communities
Ras El-Hekma will host luxury residential neighborhoods, catering to both locals and expatriates. These neighborhoods will feature villas, townhouses, and apartments, many of which will offer stunning views of the Mediterranean. Developers like Emaar Misr, Sodic, and Palm Hills are already involved in constructing high-end communities that integrate green spaces, modern amenities, and smart home technologies.
2. Tourism and Hospitality
Tourism is a cornerstone of this city. Plans include the construction of world-class hotels, beachfront resorts, and boutique accommodations, offering diverse options for visitors. High-profile hospitality brands are expected to establish their presence here, providing luxury experiences alongside local cultural influences.
3. Marina and Waterfront Development
The city will include a state-of-the-art marina, designed to accommodate yachts and cruise ships. This marina will serve as a gateway for maritime tourism and a venue for international events such as regattas and cultural festivals.
4. Entertainment and Leisure
Ras El-Hekma will host an array of recreational facilities, including:
Water parks and amusement parks
Golf courses and sports complexes
Restaurants, cafes, and shopping districts designed to offer both international and local culinary experiences
Cultural hubs that celebrate Egypt’s ancient heritage, art, and timeless music
5. Infrastructure and Connectivity
To ensure seamless access, Ras El-Hekma is being integrated into Egypt’s growing transportation network. Key infrastructure developments include:
The Dabaa Road, a modern highway connecting Cairo to the Mediterranean coast, reducing travel time to Ras El-Hekma significantly – this road is already seeing some great progress, because it was constructed at the same time as the Russian-built El Dabaa nuclear reactor complex.
Plans for a high-speed railway linking Cairo, Alexandria, El Alamein, and Ras El-Hekma.
A new international airport in nearby El Alamein (DBB) to facilitate direct flights from the Gulf countries, Turkey, Cyprus and the rest of Europe for tourists and investors.
Already, the tourism spots are expected to open first in 2025, and the city is expected to be finished by 2030 to be in a livable state. A lot of hopes are riding on the city, the economic growth from its construction and operation is considered to be a boon for Egypt. If a premium sea-side resort with as many amenities as Hurghada can be created on the Mediterranean, then Egypt has managed to utilize its God-given coastal beauty plus hard-earned tourist real estate development expertise to its advantage, this will also help achieve national priorities. Which include Egyptian urban decentralization and higher quality of life for citizens as well as boosting Egypt's Mediterranean region influence.
Of course, we are still many years from Ras El-Hekma achieving such goals. But the private investors of the UAE and their partners are confident that the ambitious coastline project will eventually bear fruits. Which is why Gulf Arab, Western, Turkish and Russian investors should take note what the big players are doing--the property market is going to boom in this city.