Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development says inhabited area to be increased to absorb 10 m people by 2022

Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, announced recently the main objectives in the field of urban development and environmental improvement, in the fourth and final year plan (21/2022) of the medium-term plan for sustainable development (18/2019 - 21/2022).
El-Said explained that the plan for the current fiscal year was based on many development concepts that were represented in sustainable development, inclusive growth, balanced spatial development, as well as planning tools based on the thought of strategic planning and participatory planning.
El-Said referred to the main objectives of the plan in the field of urban development and environmental improvement, explaining that it is represented in increasing the area of the Egyptian globe to raise the proportion of the inhabited area from 7% to 8% by the end of the plan and allocating at least a third of public investments for urban development in the governorates of Upper Egypt and the border governorates.



The plan also included the expansion of the establishment of new cities and urban communities to accommodate nearly 10 million people.

The objectives of the field of urban development and environmental improvement also included rationalizing energy use, continuing environmental development efforts, treating pollutants, reducing carbon dioxide emissions to global levels, and expanding the use of clean technology and waste recycling projects at the level of all governorates.
This is within the framework of the concept of green economy and environmentally friendly projects, in addition to intensifying efforts to develop unplanned slums in various governorates of Egypt.
The objectives of the field of urban development and environmental improvement also included the completion of the implementation of the program to remove all unsafe areas, in addition to continuing the work of development, revival, and maintenance of historical areas to preserve the civilizational and cultural heritage.

On the economic importance of the urban development sector, El-Said explained that it represents one of the dynamic and fast-growing sectors, which undertakes the provision of citizens’ needs in terms of housing, water, and sanitation services, and also prepares for economic activities their requirements of land, utility networks, and infrastructure.

El-Said pointed out that urbanization activities, in general, are characterized by a high intensity of operation due to the multiplicity of its fields, diversity, and spatial extension, as well as being an essential component and a common element in the investments of economic sectors.

El-Said added that the development vision of the urban development sector is that Egypt, with its land area, civilization, and the specificity of its location, can absorb its residents and resources under a more balanced spatial development management, that meets the aspirations of citizens, and raises the quality of their lives.

 El-Said highlighted the concerted efforts of ministries and all state agencies to improve the environmental system in terms of achieving environmental sustainability and developing a green economy.

El-Said indicated that the Ministry of Planning in co-operation with the Environment Ministry prepared a guide to environmental sustainability standards.

 “The first version was presented in 2021 under the name of the strategic framework for green recovery,” She said.


El-Said explained that the guide was prepared with the aim of providing indicative standards for integrating sustainable development standards into development plans in a way that maximizes development returns and improves the quality of life for citizens.