|
In Egypt, the term slum applies to both dilapidated housing and to housing constructed in violation of legislation related to subdivision of land, land use, construction, or registration of property. The latter category is commonly referred to as informal settlements, which usually lack basic infrastructure such as paved roads, sewerage, schools and health facilities as a result of non-recognition by the government. In the past, slum inhabitants have consistently emphasized the importance of socio-economic problems in addition to a lack of basic infrastructure. Future slum upgrading efforts initiated by the Government of Egypt are therefore expected to expand the focus on physical upgrading to include equal attention to socio-economic issues such as local economic development, reproductive health, environmental improvement, security, social inclusion, child labour and gender equality. The government has also recognized the importance of developing appropriate strategies to prevent the creation of new urban slums by enabling the poor to access affordable planned urban land and infrastructure close to centres of employment. |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
Location: |
|
|
Branch: |
|
|
Partner: Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development, Governorate of El-Menia,
|
|
|
Donor: ILO, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNIFEM |
|
|
Theme: |
|
|
Cost: USD 270,000 (Phase 1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Background and objectives:
In Egypt, the term slum applies to both dilapidated housing and to housing constructed in violation of legislation related to subdivision of land, land use, construction, or registration of property. The latter category is commonly referred to as informal settlements, which usually lack basic infrastructure such as paved roads, sewerage, schools and health facilities as a result of non-recognition by the government. In the past, slum inhabitants have consistently emphasized the importance of socio-economic problems in addition to a lack of basic infrastructure. Future slum upgrading efforts initiated by the Government of Egypt are therefore expected to expand the focus on physical upgrading to include equal attention to socio-economic issues such as local economic development, reproductive health, environmental improvement, security, social inclusion, child labour and gender equality. The government has also recognized the importance of developing appropriate strategies to prevent the creation of new urban slums by enabling the poor to access affordable planned urban land and infrastructure close to centres of employment.
The objective of the programme is to contribute to the reduction of regional human development disparities, including reducing the gender gap and improving environmental sustainability. The project will contribute to the improvement of shelter conditions, access to basic urban services and accelerate local economic development in slum areas. This will be done by providing urban governance and management instruments conducive to equitable growth, enhancing financial sustainability, improving access to land and services, and increasing democratic decision making, public accountability and transparency.
Activities:
The main activities included:
- Preparing policy papers.
- Conducting national policy seminars.
- Building capacity of national and local stakeholders in local economic development, urban planning, BUS and social development.
- Implementing pilot project in the city of El-Menia (Phase 2)
Results:
The results achieved have been:
- A national capacity created for Local Economic Development (LED), urban planning, BUS and social development.
- A rapid needs assessment of current situation and needs completed.
- Area upgrading housing, LED, BUS and social projects identified, discussed and agreed with local stakeholders.
