2008年-世界发展银行全球_Arab_Republic_of_Egypt_Urban_Sector_Note___Volume_2_Towards_An_Urban_Sector_Strategy_129页_5mb

Summary of "TOWARDS AN URBAN SECTOR STRATEGY" (Volume II)

Core Content

This document, prepared by the World Bank in June 2008, outlines the second volume of a comprehensive strategy for Egypt's urban sector. It focuses on four main themes: appropriate planning and building standards, peri-urban areas, new towns, and informal urban development. Additionally, it tracks urban issues that have evolved over the last year and provides recommendations for policy improvements.

Main Objectives

• To advance understanding and policy framework for Egypt's urban sector.
• To address the complexities of urban development in a changing policy environment.
• To develop a strategic approach for managing urban expansion, especially on agricultural land.
• To improve the management and planning of peri-urban areas.
• To enhance the effectiveness of new towns as part of urban development strategies.
• To formalize and support informal urban development.

Key Findings and Recommendations

Appropriate Planning and Building Standards for Urban Egypt

• The Tahzim initiative allows controlled urban expansion on private agricultural land and State-owned land surrounding informal settlements, marking a shift from the previous policy of prohibiting any building on agricultural land.
• A betterment tax is proposed to be levied on landowners to cover infrastructure costs, but the implementation needs clarification to avoid driving landowners into non-compliance.
• Land readjustment is suggested as a method to manage fragmented agricultural land, but its feasibility requires detailed legal and economic analysis.
• A compromise land registration system is needed, especially an intermediate "no objection" certificate, to make land subdivision and building permits more accessible.

Recommendations

• Introduce relaxed planning and building standards for certain Tahzim areas to match those in informal settlements, encouraging voluntary participation and affordability.
• Minimize land taking for public purposes in Tahzim areas to reduce resistance and keep costs low.
• Formalize informal building dynamics in terms of street patterns and plot sizes.
• Create planning layouts that reflect existing agricultural land holdings to facilitate minor property line adjustments and manageable negotiations.
• Develop simple architectural standards for small footprint and medium-rise buildings to ensure compliance with basic space, light, and ventilation requirements.

Addressing the Needs of Peri-urban Areas

• There is a policy vacuum regarding peri-urban areas, particularly around Greater Cairo, which is experiencing rapid population growth.
• The phenomenon of "rurbanization"—a new spatial development model—needs recognition and integration into urban planning.
• The peri-urban population is significant, with 4.21 million inhabitants in Greater Cairo alone, expected to grow by another 1.4 million in the next decade.

Recommendations

• The GOE must recognize and track population growth in peri-urban areas.
• Institutional improvements are needed at the governorate and local authority levels to support urban service delivery.
• Incorporate peri-urban areas into metropolitan transport and environmental strategies.
• Increase national investment in peri-urban infrastructure and services.

Changing New Town Policies Towards Economic Success

• The Sixth of October New Town is highlighted as a relatively successful example of new town development.
• The town's success is attributed to its strategic location, infrastructure development, and economic opportunities.
• However, it still faces challenges in land management, housing affordability, and sustainable development.
• The new Unified Planning Law provides a legal framework for relaxed standards and land pooling, but Executive Regulations are still needed for effective implementation.

Recommendations

• Revitalize Sixth of October through targeted investments and policy reforms.
• Learn from Sixth of October's experience to improve policies for other new towns.
• Focus on economic viability, land management, and sustainable financing for new town development.

Key Themes and Issues

• Informal urban development is widespread and needs to be addressed through formalization and improved planning.
• Land management is a critical issue, particularly in peri-urban and new town areas.
• Policy reform is essential, especially in the areas of land use, planning, and urban governance.
• Public participation and consultative approaches are becoming more prominent in urban planning and management.

Conclusion

The document emphasizes the need for a holistic and flexible urban strategy that accommodates the complexities of Egypt's urban landscape. It highlights the importance of policy coordination, institutional reform, and improved data and information systems to support sustainable urban development. The recommendations are aimed at making urban expansion more controlled, affordable, and inclusive, while addressing the growing challenges in peri-urban and new town areas.