Cairo, 14 July 2016-- The General Organization for Physical Planning (GOPP), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) signed the “Strengthening Development, Planning and Management in Greater Cairo” project document in a ceremony held at the GOPP premises.

The project aims to find and implement solutions for the key challenges facing Greater Cairo in terms of the burden on all public utilities, infrastructure, traffic, the environment and urbanization. The future vision and strategic trends for Greater Cairo were thoroughly analyzed in the preparation of this project to ensure it meets the needs of the 21st century. This initiative is geared to support the development of Greater Cairo in achieving social justice, economic competitiveness, better provision of public services in an environment-friendly manner through the development of priority development projects, following participatory planning processes.

Restoring the value of important major historical and heritage sites is a key objective of the project to achieve economic development and improve the living and environmental conditions of the residents of these areas. In addition, the project will seek to narrow the gap between strategic and action plans, facilitating the implementation processes and achieving the strategic vision and urban development in Greater Cairo. With regards to mobility, the project will strategize to develop the Bus Rapid Transit plan and promote non-Motorized Transport.

In addition, the skills and capacities of the GOPP’s employees and local development partners will be developed in the fields of participatory planning, administration and implementation to ensure the project’s sustainability beyond its duration. The project document has been signed by Chairman of GOPP Dr. Assem Abd El-Hamid El-Gazzar, Vice Chairman for Development & Cities Upgrading Sector Kamal El-Sayed Fahmy; Assistant Foreign Minister for International Cooperation for Development Ambassador Sherif Refaat, UNDP Resident Representative Mr. El-Mostafa Benlamlih, and Mr. Alioune Badiane, UN-Habitat Director – Programme Division.

“This document signing comes in the framework of strengthening cooperation between Egypt and the various organs of the United Nations, by taking advantage of the expertise of the United Nations development programs offered in many areas, including urban planning that comes along with the national strategy for sustainable development - Egypt 2030 - launched by the Egyptian leadership in February” stated by Dr Assem El-Gazzar, GOPP Chairman. Rania Hedeya, UN Habitat Egypt office Programme manager, stated that the Importance of this project is due to the new steps the Programme takes toward taking the results and main outcomes from the strategic studies into implementation.

Specifically the priority projects that have been identified in the strategic vision of the Greater Cairo Region, the vision which was prepared also by the Programme. She added, projects like the development of the pyramids plateau, Nazlet El Seman area, Al Fustat area, in addition to promoting an integrated transportation system methodology through the development of a Bus Rapid System (BRT) for Greater Cairo Region and enhancing non-motorized transport through the promotion of cycling and bikes using, are all integrated projects that will have a very positive impact on the standard of living of the inhabitants of those areas through the improvement of their urban, environmental, economic and social conditions.