Urban Development
New Cities
The government is examining a tourism development plan for New Al Alamein‘s coastline to boost tourism in a sustainable way. The project is expected to accommodate 30,000 residents and 18,000 hotel rooms.
According to Al-Manassa, a third of the real estate developers in the New Administrative Capital – 130 companies – are asking for state help to cope with inflation, which is driving up construction costs.
Historic Cairo
The government is monitoring renovation progress in Islamic and Fatimid Cairo, including Bab el Nasr Street, the Sakinini Palace, and the Gamaleya district. See Masrawy for details.
Housing
Parliament approved a new reconciliation bill for non-regulated construction. A first version of the law was voted in 2019 and amended in 2020 (see Al-Manassa and Shorouk). The new law takes as its reference aerial photos taken by the Armed Forces on October 15, 2023. Anyone who built illegally before this date may apply for reconciliation. MPs expect reconciliation claims in the eastern Cairo governorate to bring in EGP 17 Bn in state revenue.
Al-Manassa reports an unprecedented price hike for social housing apartments. At the same time, in an attempt to recoup foreign currency, the government is planning to sell real estate properties in dollars to foreigners and Egyptians abroad.
Development of Sinai
During a visit to Al-Arish, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly launched the second phase of the North Sinai Strategic Development Plan: 300 projects will cost EGP 363 Bn and include housing, health and education services, and tourism facilities.
Others
The Giza governorate plans to invest EGP 300 M to create parking lots and urban services, including commercial kiosks.
Transportation
The Ministry of Transportation is planning to introduce an electric train between al-Rehab and the New Administrative Capital. It has also given the go-ahead for trial operation of the monorail in East Cairo from Al-Musheer station. The experimental phase is expected to last 6 months. The Minister assured that the ticket would be cheaper than using a private car.
The Ministry of Transportation also announced a unified ticket for different types of public transit. In Cairo, the 10,000 m2 Heliopolis metro station, presented as the largest in the Middle East, was inaugurated at the end of October. It will eventually link to the airport.
Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly announced a plan to entrust airport management to private companies.
Tourism
The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square celebrates its 121st anniversary. Meanwhile, the grand staircase of the Giza Grand Egyptian Museum was inaugurated. It serves as an exhibition gallery for a number of statues and will now be open to visitors, pending the museum’s full opening. The third edition of the Art d’Égypte festival was held on the Giza Plateau.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities offers 20 archaeological sites for private management.
In the city of Maghagha in the Minya governorate, an iconic post office was renovated.
Environment
A training program is meant to regularize irregular workers in the waste sector. The first phase will be implemented in the Delta and Greater Cairo governorates. The Minister of Environment also announced the creation of 16 e-waste processing plants. The government is closely monitoring the implementation of the municipal solid waste treatment system.
An opinion poll shows that 77.1% of Egyptians are in favor of planting fruit trees rather than putting up street decorations.
Florian Bonnefoi
