El Dabaa history

Origins and Formation

The small city of El Dabaa, located in the Matruh Governorate, does not have an exact founding date recorded in chronicles. Its history is inextricably linked to the development of the northern coast, for which Egypt is famous. Initially, this area developed as a natural attraction point for nomadic peoples thanks to its access to the Mediterranean Sea.

Development Factors

The formation of the city as a permanent settlement was driven by several key reasons:

• Geography: The location on a relatively fertile strip between the sea and the Libyan Desert allowed for agriculture that was impossible in the arid interior regions.
• Transit Status: The territory served as an important hub on the ancient coastal route connecting the Nile Delta with the western regions of North Africa.

Early Lifestyle and Economy

During its formative period, El Dabaa was characterized by a traditional way of life:

• Culture: The population consisted mainly of local Bedouin tribes, whose traditions and customs defined the settlement's social structure.
• Economy: Economic life was built around seasonal rain-fed agriculture (cultivation of barley, figs, and olives), livestock farming, and coastal fishing.

Key Dates in History

The chronology of events that shaped the modern appearance of the city of El Dabaa reflects its journey from a transit stop to a center of the energy industry, of which Egypt is proud.

• Antiquity: The coast in this area served as an important section of the trade and military route connecting the Nile Delta with Cyrenaica (modern Libya).
• 1942: During World War II, the city's outskirts were used as an airfield and supply base for German-Italian troops before the Battle of El Alamein.
• November 1942: The territory was occupied by Allied troops after the retreat of Axis forces, which ended active combat operations in this sector.
• Mid-20th Century: A state program for the development of the North Coast infrastructure began, facilitating the transition of local tribes to a sedentary lifestyle.
• 1981: A site in the city area was officially selected and reserved by the government for the construction of the country's first nuclear power plant.
• 2015: An intergovernmental agreement was signed, finally approving plans for the construction of the NPP and the development of related urban infrastructure.
• December 2017: Construction contracts for the plant entered into force, launching large-scale preparatory work on the coast.
• July 2022: The pouring of the "first concrete" into the foundation of power unit No. 1 took place, marking the beginning of the main construction stage.
• November 2022: Construction of the second power unit started, leading to an influx of specialists and the expansion of the city's housing stock.
• January 2024: Construction of the fourth power unit began, bringing the project to peak implementation capacity and strengthening the city's status as an industrial center.

Stages of Transformation and Development

The evolution of the city represents a process of gradually integrating a traditional lifestyle into a modern industrial economy. The main development milestones of El Dabaa are linked to utilizing its geographical advantages and implementing large-scale government projects.

• Formation of a Trade Route: Initially, the territory developed as an important transit hub on the coastal route connecting the Nile Delta with the western borders of North Africa.
• Agrarian Specialization: Mastering rain-fed farming technologies allowed local residents to effectively grow olives and figs, creating the primary economic basis of the settlement.
• Military-Historical Context: World War II events in the city's vicinity cemented the region's status as a significant historical zone, attracting researchers and tourists.
• Transport Network Development: Modernization of the international coastal highway ensured reliable connection with Alexandria and Marsa Matruh, opening the region for trade and travel.
• Energy Pivot: The decision to build a nuclear power plant became a key event that completely changed the strategic importance of the city for the state of Egypt.
• Creation of Maritime Infrastructure: The construction of a specialized port for receiving heavy cargo and equipment opened the city's access to maritime logistics.
• Modern Urbanization: The construction of a residential district for NPP specialists introduced new quality of life standards, including modern schools, medical centers, and recreation areas.
• Sociocultural Transformation: The influx of highly qualified engineers and technical personnel contributed to cultural exchange and raised the general level of education in the region.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The urban structure of the city of El Dabaa differs significantly from the historical tourist centers for which Egypt is famous. Here you will not find lavish Baroque or ancient colonnades. The architectural landscape of the city is a visual chronicle of the transformation of a small Bedouin settlement into a modern industrial cluster.

Evolution of Styles and Eras

The development of the city can be clearly divided into two stages, each corresponding to a specific approach to construction and space organization:

• Traditional Development (Mid — Late 20th Century). The historical core of the city is represented by low-rise buildings characteristic of North African coastal settlements. The style can be defined as regional vernacular.
  • Features: Simple geometric shapes, flat roofs, use of local materials (limestone, concrete blocks), and a lack of decorative excesses. Houses were built with protection from desert winds and the scorching sun in mind.
• Modern Functionalism (From 2015 to Present). The city's recent history is linked to the implementation of the energy mega-project. Modern technologies, standardization, and an urbanistic approach have entered the architecture.
  • Features: Multi-story residential buildings, use of glass and modern composite materials, clear zoning of territories, and a focus on developed social infrastructure.

Landmark Districts and Objects

Today, El Dabaa's urban plan represents a contrasting combination of the old way of life and future technologies:

• Old Town: A district with chaotic planning, narrow streets, and private residences, where the atmosphere of traditional Egyptian provincial life is still preserved.
• NPP Residential District: A separate, carefully planned district built for nuclear specialists. This is an example of comprehensive territory development with modern apartment buildings, schools, sports complexes, and landscaped promenades, contrasting sharply with the surrounding desert.
• Port Zone: A specialized marine terminal that has become a dominant feature of the coastline. Its massive hydraulic structures and cranes form a new industrial silhouette of the city from the sea.

Famous Personalities and Historical Figures

The history of the city of El Dabaa is closely intertwined with global events of the 20th and 21st centuries. Being a strategically important point on the map of North Africa, this region attracted the attention of great military commanders of World War II and state leaders defining the energy future that Egypt is building. Below are key figures whose activities are inextricably linked to this territory.

• Hans-Joachim Marseille (1919–1942)
  German Flying Ace, "Star of Africa"
  A legendary Luftwaffe pilot whose squadron was based at airfields in the El Dabaa area in 1942. It was from these runways that he flew his famous sorties during the North African campaign. His presence here makes the city a significant point for aviation historians.
• Erwin Rommel (1891–1944)
  Field Marshal, Commander of the Afrika Korps
  The famous "Desert Fox" used El Dabaa as a crucial logistical hub and rear supply base before the decisive Battle of El Alamein. His army's headquarters and warehouses were located in the vicinity of the city.
• Bernard Montgomery (1887–1976)
  British Field Marshal
  Commander of the British Eighth Army, whose troops drove Axis forces out of El Dabaa in November 1942 during Operation Supercharge. The capture of this city and its airfields was one of the key tactical successes that ensured the Allied victory in North Africa.
• Anwar Sadat (1918–1981)
  President of Egypt (1970–1981)
  The political figure who defined the city's fate for decades to come. It was he who issued the presidential decree in 1981 allocating land in the El Dabaa area for the construction of the country's first nuclear power plant, seeing this place as the ideal site for the development of peaceful nuclear energy.
• Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (born 1954)
  President of Egypt
  The leader under whom the historic NPP project moved from the planning stage to real construction. His role lies in the political will and the signing of final agreements that transformed El Dabaa from a small coastal settlement into a center of high-tech industry in the region.