Engineer Sherif El-Sherbiny, Egypt’s Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, underscored the ministry’s commitment to making adequate housing accessible to all citizens, emphasizing it as a fundamental right. Given Egypt’s annual population increase of around 2 to 2.5 million people, the ministry faces the challenge of bridging the gap between housing demand and supply.
In response, the ministry launched an ambitious plan in 2014, following directives from President Abdel Fattah El
Sisi, to tackle the housing shortage. This strategy prioritizes collaboration across all sectors involved, including government agencies, private developers, and financial institutions, to address the high demand and ensure each citizen’s right to suitable housing.
El-Sherbiny highlighted that the plan includes expanding housing projects across urban and rural areas, with a particular focus on developing “Fourth Generation Cities.” These smart, sustainable cities aim to reduce congestion in metropolitan hubs like Cairo by creating balanced population centers equipped with modern amenities and job opportunities.
The minister further noted that these initiatives are integral to the state’s sustainable development vision, which aligns with Egypt’s 2030 strategy. By fostering partnerships with the private sector and streamlining land allocation processes, the ministry is working to make affordable housing accessible to a broader range of income levels, helping to reduce social disparities.
“The housing sector’s transformation is not only about building homes but about creating vibrant, inclusive communities that support a higher quality of life,” El-Sherbiny stated, reaffirming the ministry’s dedication to ensuring housing equity as a foundation for sustainable urban development in Egypt.