Finding Room for the Creative Class: Introducing El Gouna Innovation Hub

Abstract

Creative industries have become pivotal in urban development and regeneration. Due to this fact, Egypt is aiming to embrace the international wave of creativity. However, the concentration of urban settlements, infrastructure, services and economic activities in Greater Cairo and Alexandria blocks the opportunity of economic equality and prosperity in the rest of the country. This thesis suggests that the creative class could break the chain and help in equalizing urban planning disparities in Egypt. The aim of the thesis is to introduce an interdisciplinary pilot feasibility study for a creative neighborhood in El Gouna, an Egyptian resort located on the Red Sea 25 kilometers North Hurghada. The study begins with reviewing relevant planning theories related to innovative hubs and their linkage to economic development. El Gouna case is unique in the Egyptian context since the town is owned by a private developer who is independent from the government strategies. Accordingly, a brief analysis of the town will be introduced. Aspects of urban planning, infrastructure, economy, ecology and laws are to be analyzed. The resultant is a pilot feasibility study for initiating an innovative hub imbedded in the context of El Gouna. Positive agreement and initiatives have already appeared by the owner company to inhabit the innovative hub in the downtown area that is planned to be gentrified.