“Tatweer Misr Urban Design Studio” in partnership with The American University in Cairo (AUC), will be showcased at 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), after it was nominated by AUC as the University’s sustainable course project for 2022. The Urban Design and Landscape Architecture course was presented under a co-developing, co-making and co-ideating project between Tatweer Misr and AUC architecture students to create urban and concept designs addressing global concerns, like climate change and catering to the sustainable lifestyle needs of today’s real estate market on a 30 Acres plot of land located at Bloomfields in Mostakbal City, New Cairo.
The partnership was initially launched earlier this year in light of Tatweer Misr’s belief in the importance of encouraging and supporting young calibers and innovative minds to bring forth original concepts while realizing economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection to better fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals. That, in addition to supporting the efforts of educational institutions to link education to the labor market, especially in light of the new reality and universal calls for sustainability.
Tatweer Misr Urban Design Studio was developed as part of two undergraduate courses that started in February 2022 and are destined to end by the end of this year, allowing the students at AUC hands-on professional experience during their course of studies and engaging them in real-life project requirements and conditions. The course offered architecture students the opportunity to participate in developing urban design and planning for a 30 Acres plot of land located at Bloomfields in Mostakbal City and comes as part of Tatweer Misr’s vision to enhance the local educational and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Egypt.
Presented designs included three main concepts, namely, creating the next generation housing trends, technology enabled community, and happy communities –all without giving up the main challenges related to areas and prices, as the market is now heading towards adopting smaller, smarter and sustainable communities. Students worked on creating and delivering an integrated vision for the dedicated plot of land, beginning with the concept philosophy, masterplan with site layout, entrances and exits, parking entries and exits, architecture theme and style, open space pattern and landscape theme all the way to the full concept design. “Through ‘Tatweer Misr Urban Design Studio’ we are achieving a mutual goal of connecting students to the labor market and allowing them an opportunity to apply what they have studied in a real-life project, and to also benefit from the innovative ideas of young people in developing new concepts for the real estate industry that similarly suit the requirements of the market at the present time, and attain better sustainability practices in all of the company's development goals,” stated Dr. Ahmed Shalaby President & CEO of Tatweer Misr.
He continued, “And there's no better testament to that than being nominated to present Tatweer Misr Design Studio at COP27, the long-awaited event aiming at boosting climate conversations, mobilizing action, and providing an important opportunity to consider the impacts of climate change in Africa, the region, and the world. Watching Egypt host COP27 fills me with pride, as we have all witnessed the country taking the necessary measures to create a successful global event that reflects Egypt's efforts in supporting climate change issues, and reinforcing its role within the international community in facing challenges attributed to climate change.”
Commenting on the Partnership, Dr. Basil Kamel, Chair of the Architecture Department at The American University in Cairo, said, “Tatweer Misr is a leading figure in the building industry, and we are keen that our students benefit from such collaboration. Engaging with the real world and creating local-global partnerships is part of our strategic vision towards graduating students at the cutting edge of architecture and urban design.” Kamel added that the studio is composed of two semesters. The first semester focused on developing a conceptual master plan, while the second focused on developing architectural solutions for buildings. “The full-rounded design process, starting with a masterplan at the urban design setting to the architectural details of buildings and structure, is a comprehensive experience that distinguishes our department from other schools in the region.”
AUC is participating in COP27 with a team of 85 AUC scholars, 35 students and staff members, who will showcase the University’s innovation in sustainability through faculty research, green campus initiatives, and students’ activities at the Pavilion (P-22) in the Green Zone of COP27, Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Center. AUC has prepared a 10-day program encompassing a wide range of activities, spanning all schools and the majority of disciplines.
Since foundation, the main concept of ‘Bloomfields’ was to create the first college town of its kind in the region spanning over 415 acres with a total investment of EGP 38 billion divided between 325 acres combining residential, commercial, retail and entertainment areas with an investment value of EGP 28 billion, and an educational zone spanning over 90 acres in the center of the project designated featuring Egypt’s first American International Branch Campus (IBC) Namely New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and a number of international schools including two schools for king’s college as well as two schools for Narmer American college. The educational zone also includes GEN@Bloomfields, managed by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), becoming the first entrepreneurial hub in Egypt, the Middle East and North Africa. The delivery of the residential area is expected to start by the first quarter of 2023 and the operation of the first phase of the educational zone is expected to take place by the end of 2023.
About Tatweer Misr
Established in 2014, Tatweer Misr is a leading Egyptian real estate development shareholding company. It involves a vertically-integrated business model with various development fields and an ambitious vision of developing sustainable, smart and happy communities. Built on innovation, sustainability, high quality and creating added value to their clientele, Tatweer Misr currently has four projects in various stages of development and planning. Projects include their award winning flagship project “IL Monte Galala” built on around 545 acres; “Fouka Bay” in the North Coast built on around 220 acres; “Bloomfields”; a mixed-use first home development located in Mostakbal City on an area of 415 acres with a dedicated 90 acres for an educational zone and their latest project “D-Bay” spanning over 200 acres located in Dabaa at the North Coast.
For more information visit: www.tatweermisr.com
About the American University in Cairo(AUC):
Founded in 1919, The American University in Cairo (AUC) is a leading English-language, American-accredited institution of higher education and center of the intellectual, social, and cultural life of the Arab world. It is a vital bridge between East and West, linking Egypt and the region to the world through scholarly research, partnerships with academic and research institutions and study abroad programs.
The University offers 40 undergraduate, 52 master’s and two PhD programs rooted in a liberal arts education that encourages students to think critically and find creative solutions to conflicts and challenges facing both the region and the world.
An independent, nonprofit, politically non-partisan, non-sectarian and equal opportunity institution, AUC is fully accredited in Egypt and the United States.
