Egyptian Minister of Local Development and Environment, Dr. Manal Awad, has announced that detailed plans have been completed for 23 villages in six centers in Dakahlia Governorate. This initiative aims to organize urban growth, improve the planning of services and utilities, and facilitate construction procedures in accordance with approved legal and planning regulations. The goal is to enhance living standards and achieve comprehensive and sustainable development in rural Egypt.
According to Dr. Awad, this step is in line with directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to achieve balanced and comprehensive development in Egyptian villages and improve services provided to citizens. This is to be achieved through organized urban planning and the development of basic infrastructure, ensuring optimal land use and meeting the needs of the population and urban expansion requirements in the coming years.
Dr. Awad explained that the detailed plans do not only define construction areas and urban blocks but also represent a comprehensive vision for organizing village growth. This includes determining the network of internal roads and axes, sites for services, and various land uses. The aim is to balance urban expansion with the actual needs of citizens and maintain the efficiency of utilities and basic infrastructure.
The Minister received a report from Dr. Saeed Helmy Abdel Khalek, Head of the Planning and Integrated Local Development Sector, on the executive status of preparing detailed plans for the targeted villages. The report highlighted that completing these plans provides a clear planning framework for the governorate and executive agencies. This framework can be used to organize urban expansion, determine road paths, and identify public service sites.
The report indicated that preparing detailed plans achieves several direct benefits for citizens. These include clarifying allocated land uses and urban areas, determining the street network and traffic paths, and providing a clear vision for future service sites and needs. The plans also help local authorities deal with construction license requests in accordance with approved planning and legal regulations, enhancing transparency and clarity of procedures.
The report added that these plans represent a fundamental tool for identifying priorities for service and development projects. This is achieved by monitoring the needs of each village and directing investments and utilities more efficiently, taking into account the nature of urban areas, population numbers, and requirements. The goal is to support balanced development that includes improving the urban environment and enhancing service levels.
Dr. Awad emphasized the importance of continuing coordination with Dakahlia Governorate and relevant authorities to complete the preparation of detailed plans for the remaining villages. She also stressed the need to accelerate the procedures required to approve the completed plans, ensuring the completion of the urban planning system and translating its outputs into executive steps that benefit citizens and local authorities in organizing construction and urban expansion.
Key points
- The completion of detailed plans for 23 villages in Dakahlia Governorate aims to organize urban growth and improve living standards.
- The plans provide a clear framework for local authorities to manage urban expansion and provide services.
- The initiative is part of Egypt's efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development in rural areas.
