Mivida
New Cairo, Egypt
MIVIDA is a mixed-use urban district located in New Cairo at the eastern edge of the capital where the Egyptian government is extending the urban fabric from the Nile Valley to the dessert areas.
The 3.5 million m2 development encompasses four districts.
Major roadways define district boundaries and each district connects directly to the Central Park. The master plan, which devotes 80% of the space to landscape, fully integrates residential, retail, hotel, and commercial uses with accessible and well-conceived public areas.
Sites International landscape design implementation began with a detailed understanding of the context and climate conditions, to develop strategies that conserve water and provide thermal comfort for residents, creating a livable and pedestrian friendly environment. Key design features respond to local climatic and ecological needs by protecting water resources, harvesting treated water for landscape irrigation and using drought tolerant plants, protecting water quality, and minimizing power usage, light pollution and heat effect.
The project capitalizes on the demand for adequate open space and greenery. Beautiful gardens spread throughout the site with hiking trails intertwined with water features, flowering shrubs, and cobble stone paths. Trees and shrubs are used extensively. Over 40,000 trees were planted providing close to 1 million square meters of shade and can easily offset close to 1 million pounds of carbon annually.
The landscape design embodies a way of thinking which is synonymous with quality and consciousness for sustainability. Linear parks, called Wadis, connect the four districts. The Wadis also act as swales for storm water runoff, detention, and filtering. Neighborhood parks, located at the entry, provide a variety of activities within a short walk of every resident. Each of the parks takes on the individual character of its surrounding.
The 33 acre Central Park is at the intersection of the four districts and serves as the focal point for activity. It contains a major lake, manicured gardens and lush foliage, walking trails, pedestrian bridges, sport activities, restaurants and retail shops, making it a haven for relaxation.