New Damascus

New Damascus is a mixed-use urban development by the Syrian Sovereign Fund and UAE master developer Arada, covering about four million square metres west of Damascus. The master plan follows the "15-minute city" model, in which residents reach healthcare, education, shopping and daily services on foot.

Location

The project sits on a plateau near the Mezzeh district, about 10 minutes from central Damascus and 25 minutes from Damascus International Airport.

Project Components

• 11,000 homes, including apartments, villas, townhouses and branded residences.
• A 700,000-square-metre main public park, about one fifth of the site.
• A 300-bed hospital.
• Education facilities for 5,000 students.
• 500 hotel rooms and 1,000 serviced apartments.
• Office, commercial and retail space, leisure areas, and government service buildings within the community.

Parties and Value

The project is delivered through a joint venture between Arada and the Syrian Sovereign Fund, signed in Damascus in September 2026. Its estimated gross development value is about USD 7 billion. The master plan is being prepared with the relevant Syrian government authorities, and the partners are identifying additional development sites in Syria.

Current Stage

The project is at the announcement and master-planning stage. According to The National, it will be built in phases over about ten years, with construction of homes and infrastructure starting in 2027.