The governor of Luxor, Samir Farag, knows he's reshaping the city and the lives of its residents with a new 200 million dollar project, but tourism and the money the city brings is more important.

He told FRANCE 24, "When tourists come here, they'll be able to walk around wherever they wish. There will be no more houses. All of the monuments will be easily accessible, there will be parking lots, green spaces. The tourists will feel as if they are in a huge museum and won't have to go through residential areas and slums."

In Luxor, monuments and houses stand shoulder to shoulder. The entire city lives off of tourism. People on the street have mixed feelings about the project.

Some have already packed their bags to make room for tourism as they feel they have no choice, particularly at a time when a worldwide recession could threaten their livelihoods.