ABSTRACT
This paper deals with two main themes in the transnationalism of the history of construction in Egypt: (a) Freedom patterns through eagerness to modernize; (b) Aspirations to dominate the newly independent Third World. These two themes evolved around 1964, a tipping point in construction history in Egypt, that is marked by hosting both the second NAM (Non-Alignment Movement) summit and the first Arab League. Before 1964, projects such as the Cairo International Stadium (1956–60), Aswan High Dam (1960–70), and the Hilton Hotels in Egypt (1957–65), manifest eagerness to modernize, and liberation from Third Worldism’s judgements. This eagerness led to Nasser’s pacts with the superpowers despite being a NAM advocate. The dominance aspirations, on the other hand, are manifested in the expansion of Egyptian involvement through construction projects in the newly independent Arab and African countries. Both themes highlight the discursive ties that were established through the transnational history of construction.
