Cairo

Source: Al-Wafd newspaper

Dr. Ali Mohamed Al-Khouri

In recent decades, the Arab world has witnessed a remarkable shift in its development orientations, with artificial island projects becoming an essential part of economic and urban development strategies. These projects are a direct response to the challenges posed by population growth and urban expansion, in addition to their pivotal role in attracting investment and strengthening the tourism sector. In this context, several Arab countries have emerged as major hubs in this field, with Egypt, the UAE, and Qatar witnessing a boom in the development of world-class artificial island projects.

Artificial Islands in the Arab World: Prominent Models

In Egypt, New Abu Qir is the first city built entirely on an artificial island in North Africa. It aims to protect Alexandria from rising sea levels, while also serving as an integrated investment and tourism center. The city spans 1,400 acres, is surrounded by a 9,200-meter-long seawall, and features advanced facilities including luxury hotels, commercial areas, hospitals, and sports clubs, making it a magnet for regional and international investors.

In the UAE, the country has redefined the concept of urban expansion through mega-projects such as Palm Jumeirah, one of Dubai’s most prominent landmarks, and Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, which has become a global tourism hub. Recently, Dubai announced the Palm Jebel Ali project, which will span 13.4 square kilometers, adding 110 kilometers to the emirate’s coastline, with the goal of building more than 80 hotels and tourist resorts. The emirate also launched The World Islands project, an archipelago of 260 artificial islands designed to mimic the world map.

In Qatar, the Pearl Island has emerged as an integrated city built on a series of artificial islands, spanning an area of ​​four million square meters. The island offers 32 kilometers of new beaches, and the project aims to house more than 45,000 residents, making it the country’s first freehold area for foreigners.

Economic and strategic dimensions of artificial islands

The role of artificial islands extends beyond being tourism or architectural projects; their implications extend to directly impacting national economies. They enable well-planned urban expansion, helping meet the growing demand for residential and commercial properties, while also creating unique investment opportunities in the real estate, hospitality, and entertainment sectors. These projects also provide advanced infrastructure capable of attracting foreign capital, positively impacting economic growth rates.

In addition, these islands contribute to generating thousands of jobs in various sectors, from construction and marine engineering to hospitality and logistics, boosting employment rates and improving living standards.

Environmental and social challenges

Despite the tremendous economic benefits offered by artificial islands, there are environmental challenges that cannot be ignored. The expansion of these projects could lead to the destruction of sensitive marine environments, such as coral reefs and natural habitats for marine life, requiring innovative solutions to mitigate these impacts. Furthermore, the impact of these islands on demographic patterns could create new social inequalities, as a result of changes in the urban landscape and real estate prices.

Between ambition and sustainability

Relying on artificial islands as a strategic solution to the development needs of the Arab world requires a comprehensive vision that goes beyond economic gains, but also encompasses environmental and social dimensions. Mega-projects are not measured solely by their size or cost, but rather by their consistency with sustainability standards and their ability to create balanced future cities that respect ecosystems and accommodate demographic shifts.

The real challenge lies not in building artificial islands, but in how to intelligently utilize them within an integrated development system. It is essential that these projects rely on renewable energy, adopt sustainable construction techniques, and impose strict environmental policies to ensure minimal negative impacts. Only projects that successfully achieve this balance will be able to become global models, rather than merely architectural achievements isolated from the broader environmental and social context.