Alam Al Roum Egypt coastal city plans

Alam Al Roum Egypt Coastal City

2 November 2026

Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

Location: north coast near Marsa Matrouh, west of Alexandria, northern Egypt

SOM Unveils Design for New Mediterranean City on Egypt’s North Coast

Lagoons, public spaces and walkable districts define the year-round coastal city, one of the Mediterranean’s most ambitious planned destinations.

Rendering by © SOM

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has unveiled plans for a new 20.6-million-square-meter coastal city on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, near Marsa Matrouh and west of Alexandria. Developed by Qatari Diar, Alam Al Roum is envisioned as a year-round coastal city and international destination influenced by the landscape and climate of Egypt’s North Coast.

“The Mediterranean is home to some of the world’s great cities, shaped over centuries by climate, culture and economic forces,” said SOM Principal Thomas Hussey. “Alam Al Roum presents a rare opportunity to imagine a new city from the ground up, one that responds to the realities of climate change while offering an exceptional quality of life.”

Rendering by © SOM

Extending across 7.2 kilometers of Mediterranean coastline, Alam Al Roum is organized as a network of interconnected districts spanning beachfront and lagoon neighborhoods, mixed-use town centers, hospitality and resort areas, a golf community, an education district and a business hub, supporting a permanent population alongside visitors from Egypt and abroad. More than 30 kilometers of planned walking paths and trails connect shaded streets, gardens, waterfronts, promenades and public spaces, supported by cycling routes, smart mobility systems and future regional transit connections.

Rendering by © SOM

Water is one of the master plan’s defining elements, with 22 kilometers of seawater-connected lagoons weaved throughout the new city. Alongside extended beaches and waterfront promenades, approximately 850,000 square meters of swimmable lagoons extend the experience of the Mediterranean inland. Informed by the site’s natural hydrology and surrounding watersheds, the lagoon system also supports stormwater management.

The city is structured around two principal points of arrival, an inland mobility hub and an international marina on the Mediterranean. A grand boulevard connects the two, forming an urban spine that links the city’s arrival points with its principal civic and cultural destinations. A cultural pier, lighthouse, civic amphitheater, yacht club, signature mosque, markets and spaces for major public events establish a recognizable downtown along the waterfront. These destinations position Alam Al Roum within a wider Mediterranean network of culture, tourism and exchange.

Rendering by © SOM

Commenting on the launch, Sheikh Hamad bin Talal Al-Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Qatari Diar, said: “Alam Al Roum represents our vision for a new generation of Mediterranean destinations—one that goes beyond the traditional seasonal resort to create a vibrant, year-round coastal city. We are bringing together nature, the sea, hospitality and everyday life within a carefully planned environment that reflects the unique character of Egypt’s North Coast. Through our partnership with SOM and our global network of experts, we are creating a destination that is rooted in its landscape and climate, while setting a new benchmark for integrated coastal development in the Mediterranean.”

Throughout the city, buildings, neighborhoods and public spaces are oriented to take advantage of coastal breezes, sunlight and local microclimates. Renewable energy generation is envisioned across multiple scales, while riparian buffers, stormwater wetlands, stabilized dunes and a living shoreline strengthen the waterfront, with development also elevated in response to changing coastal conditions.

Rendering by © SOM

The first phase of Alam Al Roum is planned across approximately 4 million square meters and is scheduled to begin delivery in 2030. It will include 2 kilometers of beachfront and promenade, open-sea-connected lagoons, residential and hospitality development, a town-center marina, retail and dining, and extensive public landscapes.

SOM

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a global practice of architects, designers, engineers, and planners, responsible for some of the world’s most technically and environmentally advanced buildings and significant public spaces. From a strategic regional plan to a single piece of furniture, SOM’s designs anticipate change in the way we live, work and communicate, and have brought lasting value to communities around the world.

The firm’s approach is highly collaborative, and its interdisciplinary team is engaged in a wide range of international projects, with creative studios based across the globe. SOM has a longstanding body of work across the Middle East and in Egypt, where its projects include One Ninety New Cairo, a major mixed-use development masterplanned by the firm, and Cairo University’s New National Cancer Institute. Visit som.com to learn more.

SOM Architects

Qatari Diar

Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company was established in 2005 by the Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar. Headquartered northeast of capital Doha on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. Qatari Diar was entrusted to support Qatar’s growing economy and to coordinate the country’s real estate development priorities.

Today, Qatari Diar is recognized as one of the world’s most trusted and respected real estate developers, driven by its commitment to quality, community development, partnership, and sustainability. As of 2025, Qatari Diar has a shared capital of USD 8.1 billion, with 41 investments, assets, projects under development, and assets under management held in 15 countries around the world with a combined investment and assets under management value of around USD 39 billion.

In Egypt, Qatari Diar has established an extensive investment portfolio comprising more than 60 million square meters of land, with investments exceeding USD 7 billion and flagship developments spanning Greater Cairo, the Red Sea, Sharm El Sheikh, and the North Coast.

Its portfolio includes CityGate, an integrated mixed-use community spanning 8.5 million square meters; The St. Regis Cairo, comprising 232 guest rooms, 50 luxury suites, 80 serviced apartments, and 149 premium residential units; and NEWGIZA, one of Egypt’s largest integrated mixed-use developments, in which Qatari Diar is a partner.

On the North Coast, Qatari Diar – Egypt is developing Alam Al Roum, a 20.58 million-square-meter Mediterranean destination extending along 7.2 kilometers of coastline. Designed as an integrated, year-round destination, Alam Al Roum brings together residential, hospitality, leisure, retail, commercial, and cultural offerings within a distinctive coastal setting.

Through its landmark developments, Qatari Diar – Egypt continues to contribute to the growth and evolution of Egypt’s real estate sector, creating large-scale destinations that bring together international expertise, distinctive design, integrated experiences, and long-term value.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Alam Al Roum Egypt Coastal City master plan images / information received 021126

Location: northern Egypt, Northeast Africa

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