Engineer Sherif El-Shorbagy, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing the development of existing new cities across 22 locations. This includes implementing diverse housing programs, enhancing service projects, and conducting maintenance and upgrades in established neighborhoods. The Ministry is also focused on offering a wide range of housing opportunities and advancing the construction of Fourth-Generation Cities, including major projects such as the New Administrative Capital, New Alamein, New Mansoura, New October Gardens, New Obour, and more.
These statements were made during El-Shorbagy’s address to the Egyptian Parliament, chaired by Dr. Hanafi Gebali, where he provided an update on efforts to upgrade older generations of new cities and expand Fourth-Generation Cities. He highlighted the progress made in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (2024/2025).
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ToggleIncreased Land Allocations for Housing Projects
Minister El-Shorbagy reported that 8,521 plots of land had been offered for sale across 20 new cities, categorized into various levels: premium, distinctive, and medium. This move is designed to help citizens build their own homes. The total land offered during the quarter represented 340% of the originally targeted land sales, indicating significant progress. Additionally, preparations are underway for a new phase of residential land sales under the “Bait Al-Watan” program, which is specifically for Egyptians working abroad.
Expansion of Service Buildings
The Minister also emphasized ongoing efforts to improve services in these cities. To date, the construction and development of 322 service buildings, including educational, health, commercial, security, and recreational facilities, are underway. The goal is to complete an additional 302 service buildings across both new cities and Fourth-Generation Cities. In the first quarter of the fiscal year, 21 service buildings were completed, contributing to the overall enhancement of urban services and supporting ongoing development.
Sustainable New Cities and Fourth-Generation Urban Expansion
El-Shorbagy pointed out that the Ministry of Housing, through the New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA), remains committed to creating sustainable cities and expanding Fourth-Generation Cities to accommodate Egypt’s growing population. These cities are designed with innovative, sustainable planning principles. Efforts are ongoing to extend existing cities and establish new Fourth-Generation Cities, with nine presidential decrees already issued for projects such as West Nubaria Extension, West Port Said, New Bir El-Abd, and the southern extension of 15 May City. Additionally, studies for seven more cities, including New Salloum, New Al-Najila, New Sidi Barrani, and New Dabaa, are nearing completion.
The Ministry’s focus on both sustaining and expanding urban development plays a pivotal role in shaping Egypt’s future cities to meet the needs of its population growth while ensuring modern infrastructure and services are in place.
