Egypt’s government has announced plans to build a brand new capital city in the desert east of Cairo at a cost of $54 billion. The new administrative centre, dubbed ‘Capital Cairo’, would be built over 270 square miles, roughly the size of Singapore. Bankrolled by Gulf investors, it would take shape between Cairo and Suez, over a period of five to seven years, and is intended to house government buildings, diplomatic missions and residential units. Planners have even drawn up a new airport, larger than Heathrow .Egypt’s authorities have long enjoyed an ambivalent relationship with their majestic capital.