Latest news with #andUrbanCommunities
Al-Ahram Weekly
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Gov't to build 60,000 housing units for Alexandria residents of near-collapse buildings - Society
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly directed Alexandria Governor Ahmed Khaled to build 60,000 housing units for residents living in buildings at risk of collapse in the Mediterranean city and offer affordable financial facilities. PM Madbouly gave these directions during his meeting on Monday with Governor Khaled, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Sherif El-Sherbiny, and other senior officials. During the meeting, Madbouly also directed that the project start immediately, describing the move as a life-saving measure for Alexandria's residents living in hundreds of near-collapse buildings. Khaled said the governorate has developed a database for all buildings with standing demolition orders. Located on Egypt's Mediterranean coast, Alexandria is the second largest city in the country after Cairo. The city's population has reached nearly 5.6 million as of 2024, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). In recent years, Alexandria has witnessed a sharp increase in building collapses, resulting in a tragic loss of lives. The causes are often linked to illegal construction, structural violations, and a long-standing failure to enforce demolition orders. The latest incident on Sunday, when a residential building collapsed in the Al-Attarin area, killing two people and injuring four others, has underscored the urgency of addressing the problem. In December 2024, the governorate formed 15 committees under the Public Prosecution's directives to inspect ageing buildings and initiate legal action where necessary. Buildings at risk In May, the crisis was highlighted during a parliament session, when Governor Khaled revealed that 24,108 buildings in Alexandria are at risk of collapse. Of these, 8,000 buildings already have demolition orders — some full, others partial. Khaled noted that the governorate has compiled a comprehensive database of these buildings and is intensifying law enforcement and monitoring efforts. These efforts include removing encroachments on state-owned and agricultural lands, cracking down on unlicensed constructions, conducting regular inspections, and enforcing immediate removal of new violations. Earlier, Alexandrian MP Mohamed Gaber Gibriel submitted a parliamentary inquiry to Parliament Speaker Hanafy El-Gebaly calling for urgent action to confront the growing crisis of unsafe and illegal construction. Gibriel stated that the most affected areas include Karmouz, El-Labban, Minyat Al-Basal, Moharam Bek, and the Western District, where many buildings are either leaning or structurally compromised. "Some of these unstable buildings are only 10 to 15 years old," he said. West Alexandria District alone has approximately 7,000 old buildings — around 90 years old — that have demolition orders, he added. However, local authorities have largely failed to enforce complete demolitions. They often remove the hazardous structural elements only, leaving the rest of the buildings intact, he concluded. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Daily News Egypt
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's PM inspects Downtown Towers, Lagoons project in New Alamein
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Sunday inspected the Downtown Towers and Downtown Lagoons projects in New Alamein City to review their progress, his office said. Following meetings at the government's headquarters in the new coastal city, Madbouly toured the sites accompanied by Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, Sherif El-Sherbiny, and other ministry officials. At the Downtown Towers project, Madbouly said the aim was to make the area one of the most famous and attractive destinations globally and locally, through unique architectural designs situated around a lakes area. He added that the area would embody sustainability and the characteristics of a smart city with international standards. The housing minister explained that the project is being implemented by the Chinese company CSCEC, similar to the Central Business District towers in the New Administrative Capital. The project includes the construction of five fully-finished residential towers, featuring an 'iconic' tower 250 metres high (68 storeys) and four other towers each 200 metres high (56 storeys). Madbouly also reviewed the progress of the Downtown Lagoons project, which is situated between the towers. El-Sherbiny explained that the trial filling of the largest of the project's 11 lakes has begun to test its equipment, components, insulation, and engineering works. He noted that the project also includes islands, a tourist promenade, and paths for bicycles and electric cars.
Middle East
10-07-2025
- Business
- Middle East
OPEN// PM: Gov't preparing housing options for displaced tenants under new Rent Law
CAIRO, July 9 (MENA) – Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said that the government is preparing housing alternatives for tenants affected by the new Rent Law, with solutions that suit different income levels. During a meeting at the cabinet headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, Madbouli instructed officials to begin a housing program for eligible tenants, with units to be prepared before the seven-year transition period ends. For his part, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, Sherif el Sherbiny, presented the ministry's plan to implement the rent law, including conditions for priority housing applications. He added that the Social Housing Fund will launch an online platform within a month to receive applications from tenants over three months. The minister noted that the goal is to assess housing needs and compile a list of applicants and the required housing units. Applications can be submitted online or on paper. Sherbiny confirmed that applications will be reviewed carefully, with digital and field checks to determine eligibility. He presented available land and proposed housing units for the program. (MENA) H A T/S R E
Al-Ahram Weekly
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
El-Sisi urges swift completion of Decent Life 1st phase projects - Urban & Transport
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi urged the swift completion of the first phase of the Decent Life Initiative and the enhancement of Egypt's seawater desalination plants to maximize benefits while developing a comprehensive vision for the country's future needs. The president's directives came during a meeting on Wednesday with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Sherif El-Sherbiny, and Major General Ahmed El-Azzazi, head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority. According to Presidential Spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, the president was briefed on the progress of projects under the first phase of the Decent Life Initiative for the development of the Egyptian countryside, particularly those concerning the construction of water and sewage treatment facilities and networks in targeted villages. During the meeting, El-Sisi also emphasized the importance of completing these projects within the specified timelines. Introduced by El-Sisi in January 2019, the Decent Life Initiative aims to improve the quality of life of Egypt's most vulnerable citizens by enhancing basic daily services in rural areas. The initiative's first stage serves 28 million citizens in 1,477 villages. According to the plan, its second stage should cover 1,670 villages and provide services for some 20 million citizens. In March, PM Madbouly said the cabinet would hold biweekly meetings to monitor the initiative's progress on completing the first phase and prepare for launching the second in fiscal year (FY) 2025/2026. Meanwhile, El-Shennawy said the president also reviewed the progress in implementing the seawater desalination strategic plan. Speaking of the plan, the housing minister began by underscoring the state's efforts in that respect since 2014. He noted that desalination plants have been established in Marsa Matrouh, Beheira, South Sinai, Red Sea, Port Said, and Alexandria as part of five related five-year plans that extend through 2050. In addition, the president stressed the need to enhance the efficiency of existing plants to maximize benefits and the need to localize the desalination plants industry. Egypt suffers from a severe water shortage. While it requires 114 billion cubic metres, it has access to approximately 60 billion cubic metres annually, including 21 billion cubic metres of reused water. According to government figures, Egypt's per capita water availability has fallen to 500 cubic metres annually. This is far below the UN's 1,000 cubic metres per person threshold for water scarcity. In March, Egypt signed a cooperation protocol with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to include the Ain Sokhna Seawater Desalination Plant in the country's national Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy (NWFE) programme. The plant will produce one million cubic metres of clean water daily to meet the water needs of existing and future industrial projects, including green hydrogen initiatives. Moreover, the presidential spokesperson noted that El-Sisi was also briefed on the progress of several development projects and urban development plans for the northwestern coast. These projects include developing the Marina Tourist Centre, the Marina 8 project, the archaeological area in Marina, and the strategic plan for the West Ras El-Hekma area and New Alamein City. The president was also briefed on other Ministry of Housing projects, including launching phase 10 of the Beit El-Watan Initiative for Egyptians abroad. He also reviewed the government's steps to increase the number of land plots offered to meet citizens' needs. Furthermore, El-Sisi reviewed the progress on the Your Home in Egypt initiative. He also reviewed the management mechanisms for public parks in Cairo. The spokesman noted that the discussions included leveraging international best practices for green space management and development and promoting investment-related activities in these areas. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Daily News Egypt
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily News Egypt
New Alamein City to host Egypt International Sculpture Symposium, 'ART SPACE'
New Alamein City is preparing to host two international art events in 2025: the first Alamein edition of the Egypt International Sculpture Symposium from 6 to 30 August, and the second edition of 'ART SPACE' for the arts from 19 July to 30 September. According to a statement from the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, these events are intended to underscore the city's growing status as an international destination for creativity. The sculpture symposium will be its first iteration in Alamein and the tenth to be held in Egypt overall. The symposium will feature a selection of prominent international sculptors. The event aims to offer attendees the experience of observing live creative processes, as blocks of stone and recycled materials are transformed into artworks on the Mediterranean coast. Ahmed Ibrahim, Head of the New Alamein City Authority, stated, 'We are pleased to host the Egypt International Sculpture Symposium in New Alamein City, and we affirm our commitment to providing all facilities to ensure the success of this important artistic event, reflecting the city's status as a leading platform for art and culture.' He added, 'The events are open to the public, and we invite everyone to discover New Alamein City as an integrated destination that combines art, tourism, and a modern civilised character.' Mohamed Hamida, an artist and the general organiser of the symposium, expressed his deep gratitude to the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and the New Urban Communities Authority, appreciating the support of Ahmed Ibrahim. Hamida further elaborated, 'Thirty leading international sculptors specialising in stone sculpture and the recycling of waste and metals will participate in the symposium. The artists have shown enthusiasm for visiting Egypt, and their works will be gifted to the city authority to adorn its streets and squares, in a step that enhances the visual identity of New Alamein.' The symposium's programme will include sculpture workshops, a contemporary art exhibition, an 'art dinner' event at the closing ceremony, and a comprehensive tourist programme for the participating artists. This programme will feature visits to prominent landmarks in Alamein, Alexandria, the Pyramids, and the Grand Egyptian Museum, aiming to reflect the depth of the cultural experience Egypt offers. Separately, the 'ART SPACE – Second Edition' events will run from 19 July to 30 September 2025. This will feature art exhibitions, visual installations, and live interactive workshops, designed to allow the public to engage directly with contemporary arts in an energetic and creative summer atmosphere.
