Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development, confirmed that Egypt’s National Smart Cities Strategy represents a qualitative leap in sustainable urban development. She pointed out that the strategy addresses urgent challenges caused by rapid urbanization, enhances spatial justice, adapts to climate changes, and simultaneously opens broader horizons for economic growth and social integration, placing the Egyptian citizen at the forefront of development priorities and its main goal.

Awad explained that the strategy is not limited to new cities under construction but is based on a comprehensive national vision linking existing and new cities within an integrated framework. She noted that international experiences have proven that the success of smart cities cannot be achieved in isolation from existing cities and that ensuring a sustainable future begins with addressing present challenges.

She indicated that building smart cities is not based solely on technology but requires a supportive legislative and regulatory system, innovative financing mechanisms, and effective community participation that enables citizens to be key partners in shaping their city’s future.

This came during the participation of the Minister of Local Development in the launch ceremony of the National Smart Cities Strategy in Egypt, attended by Engineer Sherif Al-Sharbini, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Saber, Governor of Cairo, Engineer Adel Al-Najjar, Governor of Giza, Ambassador Andres Baum, Swiss Ambassador to Egypt, Stefan Gimber, Regional Director for Egypt, Yemen, Djibouti, Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank, along with several officials, development partners in Egypt, real estate company heads, developers, and members of parliament.

The minister noted that the Egyptian government has placed sustainable urban development at the top of its 2024-2027 work program priorities, recognizing that urbanization is the main driver to ensure quality of life for all citizens. Through this approach, the Ministry of Local Development seeks to develop existing cities through several work areas: updating strategic plans, improving infrastructure, expanding basic services, addressing slums and unsafe areas, and supporting state efforts to build new smart cities capable of accommodating population growth.

Dr. Manal Awad emphasized that the essence of smart cities is not just introducing technology but reshaping the relationship between the city and the citizen. Therefore, the strategy adopts a human-centered approach based on ensuring adequate housing, high-quality basic services, safe mobility, inclusive economic opportunities, and a healthy environment, aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030 goals and directly linked to the country’s international commitments.

She said the Egyptian Cities Atlas, implemented in cooperation with the World Bank, is a fundamental pillar within the Sustainable Egyptian Cities initiative. It provides an accurate database for existing cities and lays a scientific foundation for planning new cities. The atlas reflects an integrated vision of sustainability based on four interconnected dimensions: economic, environmental, social, and urban. The next step is to activate these dimensions within existing cities to ensure their sustainability and integration with new cities.

She pointed out that the National Smart Cities Strategy is not just an urban project but a vision for modern Egypt: new cities managed by data and innovation from the start, and existing cities reshaped to become more just and sustainable. It is a vision that makes integration between existing and new cities the basis for balancing the past, present, and future.

She confirmed that the Ministry of Local Development remains committed to continuing this integrated approach, relying on achieved accomplishments and strong partnerships with the World Bank and other development partners.