Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, Assem El-Gazzar, announced the ongoing development of Fustat Hills Park in Cairo Governorate. The Central Agency for Reconstruction through the Cairo Greater Reconstruction Agency executed this ambitious project situated adjacent to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Ain El-Sira Lake, Religious Complex, and Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque. The project's funding was provided by the Urban Development Fund, affiliated with the cabinet. El-Gazzar emphasized that Fustat Hills Park, covering approximately 500 feddans, is one of the largest parks in the Middle East. Located in the heart of historic Cairo (formerly a waste dump site), the park aims to enhance the city's appeal by providing recreational spaces for citizens and increasing green areas and public spaces per capita. Head of the Central Agency for Reconstruction, Mahmoud Nassar, detailed the project's features. The park comprises eight zones with 14 gates, including main and secondary entrances—each reflecting contemporary, historical, or garden aesthetics. These zones celebrate Egypt's rich heritage across different eras: Pharaonic, Coptic, Islamic, and modern. Additionally, the project promotes religious and cultural tourism, aligning with the state's commitment to combat climate change and protect the environment. Notably, the cultural area within the park stands out. It features a central axis connecting to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, surrounded by plazas hosting cultural activities, restaurants, and other amenities. Year-round celebrations are planned in this vibrant space. The cultural zone encompasses the main gate, four restaurants, cafeterias (covering 216 sqm), three fountains, infrastructure works, and landscaping (spanning 26,864 sqm). The park also includes the hills and valley area. Three terraced hills of varying heights are interconnected by a watercourse (the river). From the river's edge to the hilltops, visitors enjoy panoramic views of the project, the surrounding area, the Citadel of Salah El-Din, and the pyramids. Notably, "Qasaba Hill" covers 13,000 sqm and features a tourist hotel, service buildings, parking lots, an artificial lake, terraces, seating areas overlooking a waterfall, a pedestrian bridge, and a cafeteria. Heritage Gardens Hill offers terraces, visitor buildings, restaurants, and a wooden pavilion overlooking the lake, along with designated spaces for celebrations and entertainment—all thoughtfully designed to enrich visitors' experiences. Nassar elaborated that work is underway on Excavation Hill. The goal is to discover and reveal the first Islamic capital of Egypt, Old Fustat City, making the area a comprehensive archaeological, tourist, and cultural attraction. This involves uncovering the remains of Fustat City over an area of approximately 47 feddans to reveal its architectural structure and restore it. The project also includes uncovering the remains of Salah El-Din Al-Ayyubi's wall, cataloguing and restoring discovered artefacts, and publishing scientific findings. A 1 km-long and 1.5-meter-high walkway will be constructed around the archaeological site of Fustat to connect the tourist service buildings to the general site, turning the heritage area into a distinct tourist destination. Fustat Hills Park also includes an investment area covering 131,000 sqm overlooking Ain El-Hayat Lake. This area features 12 restaurants, 4 shopping centres, and 4 parking garages. Behind it is a space designed for hosting large official celebrations, which includes a Roman theatre and a water fountain. Additionally, there is an adventure area with several service buildings, lakes, and green spaces. The market area, a commercial zone covering 60,000 sqm, aims to boost tourism, support the economy, and promote traditional and handicraft trades, such as glasswork, ceramics, candles, and textiles. The market area is being developed in three phases and includes 19 commercial shops, parking lots, an artificial lake, green spaces, and a 3-star hotel.
