In alignment with the directives of the Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities and within the framework of Egypt Vision 2050—which aims to transform new cities into integrated models of smart and sustainable urban development—the New Urban Communities Authority has launched its first specialized coordination workshop for the Development and Construction Sector. The workshop is part of a broader program designed to address “challenges and mechanisms of environmental management in new cities.”
The workshop was chaired by Walid Abbas, Deputy Minister of Housing for New Urban Communities and Head of the Vision 2050 Development Unit, under the supervision of Engineer Ammar Mandour, Vice Chairman of the Authority for the Development and Construction Sector, and Engineer Ahmed Shawky, Supervisor of the Central Administration for Development. The session also included a lecture delivered by Dr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, director general of environment at the authority’s headquarters.
The activities of the workshop were organized by the Vision 2050 Development Unit, led by Dr. Amani Mamdouh, strategic director of the unit; Dr. Sameh Fahmy, executive director; and Dr. Sally Fayez, general coordinator. The event also saw participation from representatives of environmental departments across new city agencies.
The workshop highlighted that the program is intended to establish an integrated, smart, and sustainable framework for managing environmental affairs in new urban communities in accordance with international standards while adapting to local conditions and future development needs under Egypt Vision 2050.
Preparations for Opening the Largest Waste Recycling Plant in the Middle East in 6th of October City
During the workshop, participants reviewed ongoing preparations for inaugurating the largest waste recycling plant in the Middle East, located in 6th of October City. The facility has been designed according to the latest international specifications and standards, representing a significant advancement in integrated waste management systems.
In this context, emphasis was placed on building accurate databases to monitor and classify daily waste volumes and types, including industrial, agricultural, municipal, construction and demolition waste, and excavation debris, as well as medical and hazardous industrial waste. Coordination is underway with hospitals and factories to implement an integrated system covering transportation, sorting, treatment, and safe disposal.
Discussion of Challenges and Smart Waste Management Mechanisms
The workshop also reviewed the detailed plan for the safe closure of public dumps managed by the New Urban Communities Authority. This plan has been finalized and is being prepared for phased implementation across new cities, marking a pioneering step in sustainable environmental management.
Participants further discussed the key technical and organizational challenges facing environmental departments within new city authorities. The objective was to unify approaches and develop practical, sustainable, and implementable solutions that enhance operational efficiency and improve quality of life, reinforcing sustainable development principles and social responsibility for both present and future generations.