WATG Leads Landmark Initiative to Shape the Future of the Giza Pyramids
With contributions by:
-
Rob Sykes /
Associate Principal, Advisory Services -
Bassem Fahmy /
Head of Scientific Commitee
At a glance
WATG Leads Landmark Initiative to Shape the Future of the Giza Pyramids announces the firm’s master plan framework for the Giza Pyramids region on behalf of the Egyptian government. Covering the Western Desert plateau and necropolises of Giza, Saqqara, and Dahshur, the plan addresses heritage conservation, visitor experience, infrastructure, and investment across one of the world’s most significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Rob Sykes, Associate Principal and Director of Advisory, led the initiative, with Guy Cooke as 2nd Senior Leader and Xin Li as Associate Principal. The final framework was presented to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism in December 2025.
WATG is delighted to share an update on their work with the Egyptian government to lead an internationally significant master-planning initiative for the Giza Pyramids region. This project represents a key cornerstone of Egypt’s nationwide tourism vision and economic growth strategy.
From WATG’s advisory and master planning teams, the proposed master plan will reimagine a significant area covering the Western Desert plateau overlooking the Nile Valley, with the aim of delivering a more impactful and sustainable visitor experience. The plan aims to conserve one of the world’s most well-known UNESCO sites and culturally significant landscapes, while supporting Egypt’s tourism boom, infrastructure development, and local communities.
[0:02]
Where the sun meets ancient stone, Egypt welcomes the world to a living wonder. Here, following the footsteps to Giza, the living horizon glows between the pyramids. Arkhet — an eternal gateway between time and eternity.
For generations, people have journeyed from the Nile along sacred causeways, rising towards the pyramids with distance, dignity, and awe. Today, that reverence is being restored. The Pyramids Destination Master Plan reinstates the sacred protection between ancient wonders and the vitality of the city. History’s wonders stand proud in the desert sands, connected by ceremonial stone causeways. Urban encroachments fade into nature’s heart. Restored heritage landscapes and tourism gateway villages buffer the pyramids, breathing new life into the city. A mosaic of communities forms around plazas and courtyards, creating textured villages.
[1:14]
These principles of place expand beyond Giza. From the UNESCO core, the heritage spine connects to the enchantment of Saqqara and Dahshur, while the contemporary culture and tourism spine builds future connections to the airport and the new Sphinx City core. Inspired by the life-giving nature of the Nile, these cultural corridors form the foundation for life — with innovation, exploration, and tourism hubs connected to vibrant residential communities and industry. Arkhet will transform the economy of Cairo.
[1:57]
Stories of Arkhet begin by the light of flames in Dahshur, south of Giza. Mysteries of the desert are told in this environmental retreat, blessed by the warm glow of the necropolis. As the morning sun rises on the horizon, the serenity of these historic landscapes travels north, arriving at Saqqara — an agrarian and wellness village. Stories of history are explored beneath the sands and shared over canals and promenades. At Saqqara and Memphis, the cradle of civilization welcomes the world again, celebrating dynasties gone by, standing sentinel in stonework.
[2:41]
Meanwhile, to the north of Giza, guests welcomed from around the world begin their journey south. Plazas, markets, workshops, and theatres bring citizens together — contemporary yet rooted, their experiences build the future alongside a backdrop of history. Here, arts and culture are celebrated next to Egypt’s newest wonder, the Grand Egyptian Museum. Parks weave through neighborhoods, connecting apartments and villas with schools, retail, and entertainment.
Thousands of annual visitors will experience Egypt through the lens of cultural assets, public spaces, and amenities. Augmented views reveal stories carved in stone, illuminated by technology, while inspirational venues showcase artefacts old and new.
[3:40]
Egyptian hospitality is elevated to new heights — cooled on rooftops by travelling breezes, enclaves of couture living within intricate streets. Crowds gather in courtyards, embarking on their journey through city lights, called to the causeway.
From concept to reality, at the foot of Giza, the pilot project comes to life. Here, the promise of the master plan lives — a future built with respect, where community and visitors thrive alongside its history. This is the living legacy of Egypt. This is the threshold to eternity. Arkhet.
Integrating Global Best Practice with Local Expertise
This project offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect these major cultural assets and reimagine how both residents and travelers can engage with this iconic aspect of Egypt’s past.
WATG’s multi-disciplinary team includes international heritage planners and local Egyptologists. By integrating global best practices with deep local expertise, the team has developed a master plan that is both visionary and sensitive to the unique historic and cultural fabric of the region.
Over two intensive site visits, WATG has conducted detailed analysis of the plateau, necropolises, and floodplain, covering all major sites, Giza, South Saqqara, Dahshur, and their surrounding communities. The plan also emphasizes an implementation framework, which ensures an adaptable, future-proofed process that enables Egypt to evolve this region sustainably for decades to come.
An adaptable, future-proofed process that enables Egypt to evolve this region sustainably for decades to come.
This week, the WATG team will present the final package to the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Housing, New Urban Communities Authority, the Deputy Governor of Giza, and others. The master plan will also be presented to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.
Rob Sykes, Associate Principal and Director of Advisory, comments: “It is a rare privilege to engage with a place that holds such immense meaning for humanity. Helping to reimagine this cultural landscape, with respect, sensitivity, and a commitment to its long-term stewardship, has been an honour for everyone on our team. We are excited to have unlocked a wide range of compelling tourism investment opportunities, and we look forward to working with the private sector to realise their potential in the coming years.”
“It is a rare privilege to engage with a place that holds such immense meaning for humanity. ”
Bassem Fahmy, Head of the Scientific Committee, states: “This project is a strategic move to protect, organize, and elevate the area sustainably and competitively on a global scale, while carefully unlocking opportunities for investment, infrastructure, and community benefits. Our main focus now is to turn these strategies into concrete actions, ensuring every development honours the site’s sanctity while providing the modern efficiency needed to handle millions of future visitors.”
Major steps in this development are already being made, with the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in November 2025. Looking ahead, this plan is designed to guide tourism development over the next 15 years and contribute to Egypt’s 2040 vision.
“A strategic move to protect, organize, and elevate the area sustainably and competitively, while unlocking opportunities for investment, infrastructure, and community. ”
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