Egypt's International Academy of Architecture Launches With UNESCO

The International Academy of Architecture and Urbanism (IAAU) is being established in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, in partnership with UNESCO and three European universities - Grenoble’s International School of Architecture, Sapienza University of Rome, and Erasmus University Rotterdam. The academy aims to be a regional first, reshaping how architects and planners are trained to meet the demands of modern urban growth. Through joint programmes, faculty exchanges, and shared research, IAAU seeks to bridge global expertise with local priorities, from heritage preservation to sustainable development. Located at a time when Egypt is navigating both rapid urbanisation and the challenges of conserving historic districts, the academy looks to position the country as a hub for architectural education and applied research in the Middle East and Africa. Students will have access to dual-degree programmes, international networks, and hands-on projects tied to ongoing urban experiments in locations such as Historic Cairo and New Alamein. The academy is also being designed as a research centre, offering guidance on urban policy, environmental planning, and heritage management. Its approach integrates cultural identity with climate adaptation and modern city-making, offering a model of collaboration that could influence architectural education across the wider region.