Ibrahim Rizk Hegazy

Informal settlement upgrading policies in Egypt: towards improvement in the upgrading process

The problem of informal settlements in Egypt is one of the most serious problems due to its economic, social and security impacts which influence the safety and stability of the Egyptian society. Due to inadequacies in planning, management and provision of basic urban infrastructure and services, the urbanization process is taking place in a haphazard manner with no control and regulation. The growth of informal areas has become a natural indicator of the process of the country’s urbanization. It is essential that at least 40% of the urban population lives in informal areas. This paper aims to evaluate the urban upgrading process in Egypt by taking the policy issue of upgrading the informal settlements as an instance in order to provide some practical actions and strategies that could help to advance effectively urban upgrading process towards achieving more improvements in the upgrading process.

Capacity Development for Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Egypt

Since 1990 there has been a considerable increase in the number of developing countries undertaking Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) schemes at both the local and national levels. Unfortunately many of these ICZM schemes have failed to be implementated due to difficulties such as information and communication gaps and restricted technical and financial capacity. Common problems experienced across all developing countries. As a case in point, it is argued that developing countries suffer from capabilities at the local institutional level. Similarly, it is advocated that Mediterranean developing countries have not fully implemented ICZM as a result of lack of stakeholder capacity. Egypt provides a case study of this argument. Since the mid-1990s several attempts have been made to promote ICZM in Egypt, however none have achieved their goal of having an ICZM plan become operational. This paper reviews ICZM processes in Egypt focussing on the capacity of all instituions and key stakeholders to plan and implement ICZM based on interviews with key ICZM key stakeholders as well as documentary analysis and participant observation in ICZM meetings. It seeks through a critical evaluation to provide practical recommendations that serve to enhance the implementation of ICZM in Egypt and other developing countries.

The Role of SEA in Delivering High Level Environmental Policy Objectives in Coastal Zone Management in Egypt

Egypt is witnessing a rapid urbanization and economic development that have the potential to cause significant environmental impacts. Since 1994 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for various projects and implementation of its mandatory recommendations have been used as a means to minimize environmental impacts. Recognizing the continuous impacts on the natural environment due to human activities, and aiming to further strengthening the EIA system, Egypt initiated its National Strategy for Sustainable Development (NSSD) in 2006. However, two decades after its implementation, EIA is still not adequately integrated into the higher-levels of policy making in Egypt nor its benefits are sufficiently appreciated by the wider community. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) used as a tool for addressing the environmental concerns resulting from the implementation of polices, plans and programs may contribute into enhancing EIA system and influencing its benefits to the wider public. This paper evaluates the current EIA system, and discusses the potential role of SEA in overcoming the EIA shortcomings and delivering high level environmental policy objectives in Egypt. The potential role of SEA in sustaining the coastal zone in Egypt is investigated as an example in this paper. Despite challenges of implementation, it is concluded that introducing SEA into the environmental assessment in Egypt may contribute positively into achieving high level environmental objectives and promoting the principles of sustainable development.