Eng. Randa El-Menshawy, minister of housing, utilities, and urban communities, chaired a meeting of the Board of Directors of the New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA) to follow up on a number of key files, foremost among them the status of legalizing added lands in new cities and the plan to develop cities along the Northwestern Coast as part of a future vision extending through 2030.
During the meeting, the Minister of Housing affirmed that President El-Sisi’s directives reflect the state’s commitment to safeguarding citizens’ rights and strengthening confidence in the real estate sector. She stressed the importance of intensifying field monitoring of projects and ensuring compliance with the specified implementation and handover schedules.
Project Follow-Up
“El-Menshawy” stressed that monitoring must cover all project components, particularly unit handover schedules and the implementation of infrastructure, utilities, and services in accordance with approved plans. She also called for preparing periodic reports on implementation progress and swiftly addressing any challenges or obstacles.
She affirmed that the ministry would continue monitoring compliance with citizens’ rights while taking a firm stance against any violations or delays that affect beneficiaries.
Land Legalization
The meeting reviewed the file for legalizing added lands in several new cities, including Sheikh Zayed, New Sphinx, El Shorouk, New Obour, 6th of October, and New October, with total areas reaching approximately 139,000 feddans.
The presentation showed that 125,373 applications had been completed and reviewed, while 4,589 applications remained under review, bringing the overall completion rate to 96%.
The Minister of Housing stressed the importance of continuing legalization procedures according to a vision that achieves social justice, supports small landholders, maximizes the use of state-owned land, and links land disposition procedures with housing and urban development programs.
New Cities’ Status
The meeting reviewed details of the legalization status in several cities. In Sheikh Zayed City, the added areas amounted to 10,898 feddans, with applications fully reviewed at a 100% completion rate, while the implementation of water, wastewater, irrigation, roads, and electricity networks was being monitored.
The added areas in New Sphinx City amounted to 73,284 feddans, with all applications fully reviewed, alongside monitoring of planning and utility works, including water projects and the water treatment plant, which currently has a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters per day.
In El Shorouk City, the added areas reached 4,732 feddans, and the applications had been fully reviewed, while utility works in the Al-Rabia, Geneifa, and Al-Salam areas were being monitored.
As for New Obour City, its added areas total 37,919 feddans, with applications and planning and utility works continuing to be monitored. Meanwhile, the added areas in New October City reached 11,518 feddans, with applications fully reviewed at a 100% completion rate.
In the 6th of October City, the added areas amount to 902.82 feddans, and the detailed plan for the area is being prepared in preparation for commencing utility works.
Northwestern Coast Development
The meeting discussed the strategy for developing cities along the Northwestern Coast through 2030, which aims to transform the region into a year-round residential, tourism, and investment destination by expanding urban development, enhancing regional connectivity, and supporting economic activities.
The plan for meeting the region’s water needs was also reviewed. Existing and ongoing seawater desalination projects are targeted to reach a total capacity of approximately 920,000 cubic meters per day by the end of 2028, including 354,000 cubic meters per day from existing plants and 566,000 cubic meters per day from plants currently under construction.
Marina El Alamein Projects
The meeting reviewed the status of a number of Marina El Alamein projects, including Marina 8, which is being developed on an area of 179 feddans and comprises 319 villas and 608 chalets and units. The completion rate for the chalets, villas, and apartment buildings has reached 91%.
The first phase of the South Lakes at New Marina, built on an area of 195.2 feddans, has also reached a completion rate of approximately 96.7%, in addition to monitoring the M8 By The Lake project, which comprises 1,420 units.
The follow-up also covered the waterway project connecting the North Lakes to the South Lakes, which has reached a completion rate of 92%; the bridge linking the South Lakes; and development and upgrading works in the Marina area.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the minister of housing stressed the need to maintain close monitoring of various files, increase completion rates, and accelerate procedures for regularizing land status and legalization while prioritizing the completion of utility and infrastructure works to achieve urban development objectives.