In a world where social ties feel increasingly fragile, Orascom Development’s latest research offers a compelling exploration of belonging—revealing a global decline that strikes Britain most acutely. This feature dives into the transformative power of thoughtful design to rebuild connection and trust within communities, drawing on Orascom’s pioneering developments, including the vibrant town of El Gouna.
Against the backdrop of Britain’s own struggle for cohesion, the following feature examines how places crafted with care can nurture wellbeing, resilience, and a profound sense of home.
In an era marked by global upheaval and social uncertainty, the deep human need for belonging feels both more urgent and more elusive. Orascom Development’s 2025 Keys of Life report, Belonging by Design, provides a vital lens on this widespread yearning—bringing rigorous data and compelling case studies together to chart the state of belonging worldwide, with a particular focus on stark trends in Britain.
The report captures a dramatic global decline in people’s sense of belonging, a decline that hits the UK harder than most. Where once 72% of people globally felt connected to their communities in 2024, in just one year, this figure dropped to 55%. In Britain, a mere 38% now feel this connection strongly. And yet, there remains a clear, shared desire: 75% of UK residents believe the community should provide a sense of belonging. The gap between aspiration and reality speaks volumes about the challenges faced by modern British society.
Our feature on whether Britain has experienced its best decades deeply resonates with the report’s findings. In his thesis, Paul Godbold laments a society where “neighbours were once anchors of our everyday lives, now increasingly strangers in close proximity.”
The Keys of Life report confirms this fracture but moves beyond lamentation to explore tangible solutions grounded in design and planning.
Orascom Development’s work around the world, notably in El Gouna, Egypt, exemplifies how belonging can be intentionally woven into the fabric of community life. Mohamed Amer (shown left), the CEO of El Gouna, underscores this mission: “Our research clearly shows that safety, trust, and connection form the foundation of successful communities. Delivering these through design transforms towns from mere living spaces into places people deeply feel part of.”
One of the report’s pivotal insights revolves around biophilic design—the intentional inclusion of natural elements to reconnect people with the environment. This approach meets universal human needs for light, space, and safety while reflecting local and cultural preferences. For Britons, access to green spaces is paramount; a striking 76% turn to nature for stress relief, revealing a profound craving that is often unmet in daily urban life.
The research highlights specific home design features that foster connection and wellbeing: 34% of people wish to change their outdoor spaces, while 26% prioritise kitchens as the social heart of the home.
These details reveal subtle but significant ways living environments can be adapted to bolster family and community bonds. El Gouna, with its thoughtful layout and amenity-rich environment, puts these principles into practice, showing how intentional planning nurtures belonging and quality of life.
The impact of remote work, a legacy of pandemic adaptations, figures prominently in the report’s analysis. While home working offers practical flexibility, it often exacerbates feelings of isolation.
The UK especially grapples with this double-edged sword—balancing economic opportunity against social disconnection. El Gouna’s hybrid hubs offer a compelling model for the future: integrated spaces where work seamlessly intersects with community life, blending cafes, social areas, and co-working environments to sustain human connection while supporting livelihoods.
Mental health emerges as a key concern within the data, particularly in Western markets. The report calls for community designs that embed mental and physical health into everyday experience, showing that infrastructure alone—such as healthcare access—is not enough without integration into daily life. The British embrace of nature, contrasted with Egypt’s active engagement in outdoor pursuits, highlights cultural nuances that must be accounted for in designing for wellbeing.
Orascom Development’s Keys of Life is not just a collection of statistics but a roadmap for how towns can regain trust, attract talent, and build long-term resilience by placing belonging at their core. El Gouna’s success story—with its diverse population, world-class amenities, and integration of residential, leisure, and workspaces—illustrates the economic and social benefits of this approach.
For Britain, grappling with its own community challenges, the research offers a hopeful vision: one where belonging is not left to chance or nostalgia but is crafted with deliberate care. The challenge is not in wanting connection but in delivering it—through design, planning, and a profound commitment to the everyday human experience.
As Paul Godbold sombrely reflects in his examination of Britain’s social shifts, the story of renewal is a story of belonging rediscovered. By embracing the lessons illuminated by Orascom Development’s Keys of Life, there lies the potential for towns and cities across Britain to transform from fractured spaces into thriving habitats of trust, warmth, and collective purpose.
Orascom’s 20205 Keys of Life Report is available to read in its entirety at kol.orascomdevelopment.com.
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