When President Ismail Omar Guelleh broke ground this week on what is set to become Djibouti’s largest residential development, the scale of the ambition was hard to miss. Salaam City, as the project is called, promises more than 7,000 housing units, an entire urban ecosystem rising from a single blueprint. For a country grappling with rapid urban growth, the project signals a decisive shift in how cities are being imagined. And for observers in Uganda, where similar pressures around housing, infrastructure, and urban planning continue to intensify, the development offers a familiar story, one of opportunity, but also of urgency. The Salaam City project is designed as a self-contained community. Beyond rows of apartments and houses, plans include schools, health facilities, a mosque, and commercial spaces, all woven into a single, integrated layout. The idea is to build not just homes, but a functioning city within a city, one that can accommodate a growing population while maintaining a sense of order and accessibility. Djibouti’s government has framed the project as an investment in the country’s future, aimed at addressing rising housing demand while supporting broader economic goals. That rationale resonates far beyond its borders. In Uganda, where urban centers like Kampala continue to expand under pressure, the question of how to provide affordable, organized housing remains unresolved. Construction alone is expected to create a surge in employment, with up to 2,000 workers needed at peak activity. That kind of short-term economic boost is significant, particularly in regions where job creation is closely tied to large infrastructure projects. Ugandan policymakers have long looked to similar developments as a way to stimulate both employment and long-term growth. There is also a strong emphasis on sus- tainability. Developers say Salaam City will incorporate energy-efficient designs and environmentally conscious materials, an approach increasingly shaping urban projects across Africa. The model aligns with a broader shift toward green construction and Shari’ah-compliant financing, areas where firms operating in Uganda are also becoming more active. Salaam Real Estate, the company behind the project, is part of the wider Salaam Group, which already has a footprint in Uganda. That connection adds another layer of relevance. As Kampala and other Ugandan cities continue to evolve, projects like Salaam City offer a glimpse into what large-scale, planned urban expansion could look like, if backed by the right investment and long-term vision. For now, the first step has been taken in Djibouti. But the questions it raises, about housing, growth, and the future of African cities, are ones Uganda knows all too well.The post Djibouti builds new city—Uganda takes note appeared first on The Observer.