At the 12th World Urban Forum held in Cairo, Dr. Abdel-Khaleq Ibrahim, Assistant Minister of Housing, highlighted Egypt’s national urban policy, emphasizing the need for balance to address population density and productivity challenges, particularly in Greater Cairo. During a session on balanced urban systems for green economy and inclusive growth, he pointed out that population growth often outpaces urban expansion, leading to congestion and lowered productivity.
Dr. Ibrahim noted the North Coast as a promising regional project with strategic tourism potential, showcasing how each economic region is being developed into cities with specific goals. This approach, which includes investments in new urban hubs such as the Suez Canal Axis and the North Coast, aims to relieve crowded cities by fostering growth in new urban centers.
Salma Yousry, Urban Development Program Director at UN-Habitat, reiterated the link between urbanization and sustainable development, emphasizing that while many Egyptian cities have advanced, others still face gaps in service provision. She stressed the urgency of reducing the burden on high-density cities like Cairo and Alexandria by creating new hubs and empowering local resources, aligning with Egypt’s 2030 Vision.
Dr. Hisham El-Helbawy, Assistant Minister of Local Development, emphasized that 53% of Egyptians reside in urban areas, with 47% in rural regions, underscoring the necessity of re-evaluating urban and rural classifications. Programs like “Hayat Kareema” and Upper Egypt Development focus on fair resource distribution based on population size and poverty levels, with industrial occupancy rates in Upper Egypt now reaching 80%.
The forum underscored Egypt’s need to understand the relationship between urbanization and development, as urbanization rates have risen from 25% to 53% of the population. Dr. El-Helbawy highlighted this shift, noting the importance of understanding whether it stems from natural growth or planned expansion, and how to measure urban success effectively.
