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Read the full report for insights on how communities will transform over the next decade.

As we blend the physical and digital worlds, the future of communities lies in the concept of placemaking—a process that transforms spaces into vibrant, inclusive environments.

Developing The Future

"In _Developing the Future_ , the second edition of **Orascom Development Keys of Life** 2024, we capture the major shifts shaping modern life, from the increasing connectivity between nature and homes to blended work-leisure experiences in our communities.

As we look ahead, our mission is to foster vibrant, adaptable spaces that transcend geographic and cultural boundaries and create lasting connections. This research offers a unique lens through which we can understand evolving insights, helping us design communities that help people thrive, no matter where they call home."

Omar El Hamamsy, Group CEO

In the second edition of the **Orascom Development Keys of Life**, _Developing the Future_, we unveil the evolving concept of home, the changing dynamics of community – and uncover what impact these changes will have on communities around the world. Our findings reveal a world where traditional boundaries are increasingly blurred, and people seek greater flexibility in how they live, work, and connect. 

Communities should aim to foster social connections and encourage community activities. While online platforms create new forms of connectivity and facilitate remote working near beautiful aesthetic environments, found to increase productivity, they also raise concerns about the replacement of real-world interactions and the rise in loneliness.

Public spaces grow in importance as community groups provide opportunities bringing people together to create a sense of belonging. People still want to engage in small but meaningful interactions together, albeit a generational divide, with younger individuals relying more on virtual communities, while older adults value more face-to-face interactions. These social norms highlight the resilience of community ties suggesting that the essence of real-world human interaction remains alive and well.

As travel trends evolve, the desire for experiences that combine wellness, sustainability, and luxury continues to grow. The future is about more than just personal success—it's about leaving a lasting impact. As people look ahead, they are focusing on building meaningful legacies and creating spaces where cherished memories can be made. Whether it’s designing dream homes that reflect personal values or imagining extraordinary travel experiences that push boundaries, the vision for tomorrow is bold and ambitious. People are embracing the opportunity to shape the future for themselves and their families rooted in wellbeing and convenience, creating environments that inspire and endure for generations.

Home is no longer a physical location but a fluid concept, shaped by travel, exploration, and changing work patterns with the rise of ‘bleisure’; it's a feeling we carry with us wherever life may take us. The idea of "home" has evolved significantly, with a growing number of people embracing a nomadic lifestyle, fueled by a desire for adventure, work-life balance, and sustainable living. Today’s definition of "home" is more about experiences and connections than geography. This growing mobility is reshaping the relationship with place and space, reinforcing the importance of nature-centric communities that promote wellbeing.

Where Is Home? 

Today, with diverse perspectives raising questions about the meaning of community in the modern world, we recognize that community living, a concept ingrained in our ethos, is undergoing transformative changes.

To unlock the essence of our long-standing commitment to delivering 'life as it should be', we launch Orascom Development Keys of Life, a new initiative set to spark understanding and dialogue on developing thriving communities globally relevant to people’s evolving needs and aspirations. We explore questions like what is important about community today? What role do well-being and sustainability need to play? And many more.


People often reminisce about a time and place where life was simpler, and where individuals lived in harmony with a close-knit group who shared common values and aspirations.

“Throughout Orascom Development’s 35-year history, we have recognized that developing thriving towns and aspirational destinations that resonate with the community requires a shared vision. Simply building communities is not enough. Traditional cities and towns are struggling because residents don’t feel like they are in the right place. Communities of tomorrow must cater to the evolving needs and aspirations of residents.”

Omar El Hamamsy

Bringing Orascom Development Keys of Life 2024 to life, we actively engaged with community residents, industry leaders, subject matter experts, prospective homeowners, and the wider public across diverse demographics in key markets. 

A cornerstone of the initiative is our new research, conducted by YouGov, the global market research and data analytics firm, that explores global trends in how people prefer to live, surveying more than 3,600 people across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and the United States. 

The Orascom Development Keys of Life 2024 research findings came together through a combination of data and insights collected through existing research by Orascom Development and new research conducted between Q4 of 2023 and Q2 of 2024. 

Qualitative research was conducted through a combination of exclusive roundtables with key industry experts in London, UK and Dubai, UAE, and in-depth interviews with select key opinion leaders and subject matter experts around the world. 

The quantitative research was conducted as an online survey among a national representative sample of people age 18+ in four countries, where a total of 3,686 surveys were completed. The following countries were included: Switzerland, UK, Egypt, UAE and the US. The data collection was completed in the periods between 18 December 2023 to 2 January 2024 and between 20 May 2024 to 25 May 2024. 

Quotas have been applied to gender, age and region, and data was weighted according to the dimensions of gender, age and region based on an ideal weighting from statistics in each country. Consequently, the results are representative of the population relative to the target group. Base: All adults = 3,686


In the bustling lives of a modern community, a powerful concept is taking root – placemaking. Placemaking embodies a spirit of connectivity, bringing people together across distances and backgrounds to co-create vibrant, inclusive communities.

As we look to the future, placemaking emerges as a guiding light in the quest for integrated, sustainable communities. It's a journey of discovery, innovation, and connection – one that invites us all to play a part in shaping the world we want to live in.

Picture this: vibrant neighborhoods buzzing with life, where every corner tells a story, and every park bench invites connection. It's the magic of transforming ordinary spaces into something extraordinary – where places come alive, and community thrives.

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