Beneath the lively streets of Cairo, a technically ambitious infrastructure project is taking shape with the construction of the new Giza Station on Metro Line 4 – set to be one of the deepest metro stations in North Africa, reaching depths of up to 81 m.

Orascom Construction PLC has tasked BAUER EGYPT S.A.E., a subsidiary of BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH, with carrying out specialist foundation engineering works. Construction began in November 2024 and is scheduled for completion by December 2025.

Two special foundation techniques are in use: approx. 49,000 m² of diaphragm walls and 7,400 m² of barrettes, some reaching 81 m in depth.

A BAUER MC 96 duty-cycle crane is being deployed in double shifts, six days a week.

As of May 2025, 84 out of 209 diaphragm wall panels have been completed. The full station will span around 5,543 m².

“At this size and depth, there’s zero tolerance for deviation – every centimetre counts,” said Karim Galal, project manager at Bauer Egypt.

“The BAUER Construction Process provides us with a clear structure and guidance. It ensures that everyone involved in the project works to the same standards and helps us achieve our goals on time.”

Tight space and coordination constraints mark this project. Parts of the site are still in use until November 2025 to backfill an existing tunnel, allowing for further excavation.

“We’re working under highly unusual conditions with extremely tight space and immense time pressure,” Galal said. Notably, the tunnel boring machines are operating one above the other, a first in Egypt.

“The logistics, the depth, and the constant coordination with other trades present daily challenges, but that’s exactly what makes this project so special,” added Galal. The foundation engineering phase is expected to wrap up by year-end, paving the way for a significant upgrade to Cairo’s urban mobility.

Egypt stands to benefit most from investing in energy-efficient construction. (Image source: Exergio)

Investing in energy-efficient buildings could yield enormous economic benefits for countries across the MENA, according to new research from the BUILD_ME initiative.

The analysis, which focused on Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon, found that for every €1 spent on energy efficiency today, governments and consumers could see returns of up to €7 in the future.

The study identified 14 distinct co-benefits linked to energy-efficient buildings, including reduced energy bills, improved public health, job creation, and lower emissions.

Using just five indicators like energy cost reductions, healthcare savings, improved indoor comfort, lower public subsidies, and employment growth, the analysis projected significant macroeconomic gains.

Egypt stands to benefit most from investing in energy-efficient construction, with potential savings exceeding €18 billion.

These gains would stem from reduced electricity consumption, fewer pollution-related health issues, and greater productivity among workers.

Lebanon’s projected savings are even higher, at around €23 billion, driven largely by cutting energy bills in residential buildings, lowering emissions, and decreasing reliance on diesel generators.

Jordan, while showing more modest figures, could still save approximately €2.5 billion by reducing electricity demand and improving air quality in buildings.

“Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon offer a snapshot of a much larger trend unfolding across MENA,” according to Donatas Karčiauskas, CEO of Exergio, a company developing AI-powered tools for optimising energy use in commercial buildings.

“We see similar dynamics in Oman and other Gulf countries, where extreme temperatures, growing cities, and strained energy systems are forcing to rethink how buildings are designed, renovated, and managed.”

This growing focus on energy efficiency in the region is not just an environmental imperative, but also a strategic response to rising energy demand, extreme temperatures, and the mounting climate crisis, according to Karčiauskas.

Governments across the Middle East and North Africa are now backing these efforts with new policies that promote greener, more sustainable construction.

In Egypt, revised energy efficiency standards for common household appliances such as air conditioners and televisions came into effect in January 2024, signalling a shift toward stricter regulation.

Jordan has launched its Third National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (2024–2026), building on previous efforts to reduce consumption across multiple sectors.

Lebanon, meanwhile, has introduced the Lebanon Green Building Council, which plays a key role in promoting sustainable building practices.

The urgency of this shift is clear. Buildings in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon are among the largest consumers of energy and contributors to carbon emissions, accounting for between 20% and 35% of each country’s total CO₂ output.

In addition, poor air quality stemming from inefficient housing continues to impose a heavy financial and health burden, costing governments and citizens billions every year.

But the opportunity is equally substantial. If just 30% to 50% of new residential and commercial complexes were constructed according to energy-efficient standards, the region could cut more than 80 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions, save upwards of €20 billion in energy costs, and generate close to 200,000 jobs over the next 20 years. 

“The projected numbers mean that we need to scale energy-efficient construction rapidly and strategically. Prioritising digital retrofits can unlock immediate energy savings at lower costs, while targeted deep renovations should focus on the highest-impact buildings. For MENA, a hybrid approach will be needed, but eventually, all buildings will have to optimise energy using AI tools due to the amount of data,” said Karčiauskas.

One real-world example of how AI-driven solutions can accelerate energy efficiency comes from Exergio’s work with the Ozas shopping centre in Lithuania.

By analysing the building management system and integrating real-time HVAC controls with machine learning capabilities, Exergio was able to optimise the centre’s energy use. The result: a 29% drop in electricity consumption and a 36% reduction in heating demand, translating into nearly €1 million in cost savings.

According to Karčiauskas, this kind of outcome is only the beginning. 

"In MENA countries – where high temperatures, year-round cooling needs, and energy subsidies shape the market – the potential is even greater. Faster payback periods, higher baseline consumption, and a growing push for smart solutions make this region one of the most promising places for large-scale energy efficiency gains," said Karčiauskas.

More than 84,000 sqm of roads in Arafat use locally recycled materials. (Image source: Roads General Authority)

Saleh Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Roads General Authority, has launched the cooled pedestrian walkway project in Mecca, designed to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

The Roads General Authority reports that the cooled roads initiative has expanded by 82% since its 2023 launch.

More than 84,000 sqm of roads in Arafat have now been paved using locally recycled materials that reduce heat absorption.

These materials lower surface temperatures by approximately 12°C and reflect 30–40% more sunlight during morning hours, helping to mitigate urban heat islands, reduce energy use and air pollution, and create a more comfortable experience for pilgrims.

The use of flexible rubber roads has also increased by 33%, with the latest stretch extending from Namira Mosque to Arafat Train Station, bringing the total flexible pavement area to 16,000 sqm.

Green materials

Designed to soften pedestrian areas, these rubberised surfaces provide enhanced comfort especially for older adults, according to studies by the Road Research Centre.

The initiative includes a green corridor project along the adaptable path, where trees have been planted across 1,200 m from Namira Mosque to the train station.

Air-cooling mist systems and water fountains, installed in collaboration with the Abdulrahman Fakieh Charitable Foundation, further improve air quality and comfort for pilgrims.

A key component of the project is a new accessibility initiative supporting individuals with disabilities.

A 4,000 m pedestrian path to Mount Arafat has been constructed using cooled paving materials engineered to reduce vibration and improve mobility for users and their companions.

These efforts are part of the Roads General Authority’s wider mission to raise the quality of Saudi Arabia’s roads to sixth globally by 2030 and reduce road fatalities to fewer than five per 100,000 people.

The Kingdom currently leads the world in intercity road connectivity, with a national network spanning more than 73,000 km.

The MoU was signed in Dubai. (Image source: EmiratesGBC)

Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) has partnered with Climate Neutral Real Estate Gulf Region (CNRE). 

CNRE is a a public-private initiative backed by the Dutch Government and its network of knowledge institutes, tech firms, and solution providers, to advance environmental sustainability in the region.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed recently in Dubai, aims to harness the strengths of both organisations to promote best practices such as Near Zero and Net Zero buildings and communities, resilient built environments for both new developments and retrofits, and collaborative research and education in sustainable construction.

The MoU signing featured a welcome note by Habiba Al Marashi, co-founder of EmiratesGBC; opening remarks from H.E. Dr. Carel Richter, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dubai and the Northern Emirates; and an introduction by CNRE Chairman Andre Vreman.

A roundtable titled “Towards Climate Neutral Real Estate in the UAE – Opportunities and Challenges,” moderated by EmiratesGBC CEO Abdullatif AlBitawi, underscored the pressing need for sustainability-focused action in the built environment.

Through this partnership, EmiratesGBC and CNRE will co-host educational events on green building, aiming to promote climate-neutral real estate solutions in energy and water use, enhance asset value, and support the growth of green finance.

Habiba Al Marashi, co-founder, vice chair, and treasurer of the Emirates Green Building Council, said, “Collaboration is key to driving collective action across industries to achieve a sustainable future for all. At Emirates Green Building Council, we are deeply committed to advocacy to ensure we provide the right platform to drive change, and we are thrilled to partner with Climate Neutral Real Estate Gulf Region (CNRE) in their mission to accelerate net-zero design, construction and operations for real estate assets in desert climates. We look forward to powering our shared vision of sustainable building and environmental impact in the region through this strategic partnership.”