In line with the directives of Engineer Randa El-Menshawy, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, to strengthen cooperation with international development partners, the Higher Steering Committee for the “Integrated Land and Urban Management in Egypt” project held an expanded meeting.
The meeting reviewed the project’s implementation progress, the results of ongoing studies, the work plan for the coming phase, and the implementation plan for the Smart Cities Strategy.
The meeting was attended by several officials from the Ministry of Housing and the New Urban Communities Authority, representatives of the New Sheikh Zayed, New Cairo, New Beni Suef, and New Damietta city agencies, and representatives of the General Organization for Physical Planning. Representatives and experts from the World Bank and the Swiss Embassy’s International Cooperation Office in Cairo (SECO) also participated.
During the meeting, the implementation plan for the Smart Cities Strategy in New Cairo, New Damietta, and New Beni Suef was reviewed. The plan supports the state’s efforts to develop more sustainable and efficient cities. Several priority areas and projects were discussed, including integrated waste management, smart mobility, digital transformation, and digital business and service platforms.
The focus was also placed on addressing current urban challenges through practical smart solutions and applications based on the circumstances and conditions of each city. This would help improve city management efficiency and the quality of services provided to citizens.
Participants emphasized that the Smart Cities Strategy aims to address the current challenges facing each city through practical and implementable smart solutions and applications that match the nature, needs, and capabilities of each city.
This approach aims to move beyond viewing smart cities as simply the use of technology and toward an integrated system that improves management efficiency, services, and quality of life as part of the Integrated Land and Urban Management in Egypt project.
The meeting also reviewed the vision of the strategic plan for future development in West Cairo and the proposed investment opportunities. The discussion focused on integrating economic and urban development in the cities located in West Cairo, including Sheikh Zayed, New Zayed, 6th of October, New October, October Gardens, and Sphinx.
The goal is to support the factors that attract investment in productive sectors, create job opportunities, strengthen economic activities, and improve residents’ quality of life. The meeting also addressed the implementation progress of the project’s various components and the work plan for the coming phase.
Participants emphasized the importance of integration among the project’s different studies and outputs. This would ensure that the results of the studies are transformed into practical tools and implementation plans that can support the planning and management of land and urban development in Egypt.
The meeting comes as part of the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities’ efforts to follow up on the implementation of sustainable urban development projects and programs and strengthen cooperation with international development partners.
These efforts support the development of Egypt’s land and urban planning and management system, improve the efficiency of new cities, make use of modern technologies in city management, and develop sustainable, smart, and practical urban solutions and projects. This supports the future of Egyptian cities and strengthens their ability to address future challenges.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants emphasized the importance of continued coordination and cooperation among all participating entities and development partners. They also stressed the need to maximize the benefits of the project’s outputs, supporting the state’s efforts toward sustainable urban development, smart cities, integration between urban and economic development, and improved quality of life for citizens.