Title:

“Strategies for Sustainable Development in Rural-Originated Informal

Settlements in Egypt.”

Research Problem:
Rural settlements often develop informally, characterized by unplanned growth and
inadequate infrastructure. These areas expand organically, typically lacking formal
planning and basic services, which leads to overcrowded living conditions and limited
access to resources. The growth of these settlements reflects a dynamic process of
adaptation to changing rural-urban interactions and local conditions. In Egypt, this
trend is intensified by global challenges such as climate change, globalization,
urbanization, and population growth, which disrupt rural livelihoods. Locally, factors
like poor urban planning, economic inequality, and urban centralization drive
migration to cities, resulting in overcrowding and environmental degradation. These
informal settlements face additional challenges including deteriorating living
conditions and social marginalization, complicating efforts towards sustainable urban
development.

Research Question:
What are the Most Adequate Development Approaches for Improving
Rural-Originated Slums in Egypt?

Main Objective:

To propose suitable strategies for their

sustainable development and urban
integration in Egypt.

Sub-Objectives:

 To examine the socio-economic, cultural, and migration-related

factors driving the formation of rural-origin slums in Egypt.
 To assess the impact of these slums on urban infrastructure and
services, including housing, transportation, sanitation, and
healthcare.
 To explore case studies of successful slum development and
integration projects, particularly focusing on rural-originated
informal settlements.
 To propose development frameworks and policies that enable
sustainable urban-rural integration and improve the living
conditions in rural-origin slums.

Research Type: Mixed methods

involving the integration of qualitative and quantitative data collection

and analysis techniques.

Abstract:

In Egypt, rapid urbanization and significant rural-to-urban migration have

resulted in the formation of agriculturally based rural-origin slums,
primarily located on the outskirts of major urban centers such as Cairo
and Giza. These informal settlements, often occupying former
agricultural lands, suffer from a lack of essential infrastructure and
services. As a result, these areas struggle with housing shortages,
overcrowding, and limited access to public amenities, which adds
pressure to Egypt’s urban infrastructure systems.
This study seeks to identify sustainable development strategies to
improve the living conditions in Egyptian rural-origin slums, with an
emphasis on fostering urban-rural balance and enhancing residents'
quality of life. Through a mixed-method approach, the research explores
socio-economic, cultural, and migration-related factors that contribute to
the growth of these settlements, with particular attention to agricultural
downturns, economic disparities, and limited job opportunities in rural
areas.

Through an analysis of successful case studies on informal settlements in

Egypt and quantitative assessments, this research aims to produce policy
recommendations and adaptable frameworks tailored to the unique needs
of rural-origin slum communities. The study’s findings will contribute
valuable insights for sustainable urban planning, supporting policymakers
in developing strategies to address the complex challenges of Egypt’s
rural-origin slums and fostering a more equitable urban-rural dynamic.

Key words:

Rural-origin slums, Urban-rural integration, Sustainable development,

Slum upgrading, Policy framework for slums.

Research structure

1. Introduction

 Background on urbanization and rural migration in Egypt.

 Importance of addressing rural-originated slums.
 Overview of the research problem and its significance.
 Research Objectives and Question

2. Literature Review

 Overview: Summary of existing research on urban migration, slum

formation, and sustainable development in similar settings.
 Research Gap: Highlight the lack of focus on rural-origin slums in
Egypt.

3. Methodology

 Research Approach: mixed-methods approach.

 Data Collection

i. Qualitative data

a) Document Analysis: Review of relevant policies, urban

planning documents, and past project reports addressing
rural migration and slum formation.
b) Field Observations: On-site visits to document living
conditions, spatial layouts, and community infrastructure.

ii. Quantitative data

a) Surveys: Structured surveys administered to residents of

the rural-origin slums to gather demographic, economic,
and social information.
b) Census Data: Government records of population and
housing statistics.

 Data Analysis

i. Qualitative data

a) Thematic analysis:

 Coding: Transcribe interviews and field notes, then

categorize data into themes
 Framework Analysis

b) Content analysis:

 Analyze documents such as policy papers, urban

planning reports, and NGO project records to extract
key strategies, successes, and failures related to slum
development.
 Compare the findings to field observations to validate
or challenge the assumptions in these documents.

ii. Quantitative data

a) Statistical analysis:
 o Descriptive statistics: Summarize data collected
from surveys
o Inferential Statistics: Identify relationships between
variables

b) Trend analysis

 Examine time-series data to identify changes over

years

4. Case Study
5. Results
6. Discussion
7. Conclusion

Introduction

Informal settlements in Egypt, particularly those originating in rural

areas, represent a critical challenge in the nation's urban development.
These settlements often emerge as a response to rapid population
growth, urban migration, and inadequate governance systems, resulting
in a fragmented urban fabric with poor living conditions and strained
infrastructure. Over 40% of Egypt’s urban population lives in informal
areas, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue. These areas
frequently suffer from overcrowding, insufficient services, lack of public
spaces, and significant environmental degradation, exacerbating
socioeconomic inequalities and hindering sustainable urban growth.

Al-Badrashein, a rural-originated settlement in the Giza Governorate,

epitomizes these challenges. Situated in a region marked by agricultural
significance and urban expansion, Al-Badrashein reflects the dynamics
of rural-to-urban transformation seen across Egypt. The settlement faces
specific issues such as unregulated housing, inadequate infrastructure,
and environmental stress, making it a representative case for
understanding and addressing the broader phenomenon of rural-
originated informal settlements. By studying Al-Badrashein, insights can
be gained into the systemic challenges facing similar settlements and the
potential strategies that could contribute to their sustainable
development, balancing urbanization with the preservation of rural
livelihoods and ecosystems.

case studies of informal settlements in Egypt:

Al-Badrashein (Giza Governorate):

Al-Badrashein, located in the Giza Governorate of Egypt, is a densely

populated area that exemplifies the challenges faced by informal
settlements. Originally a rural area, it has experienced rapid urbanization
due to population growth and rural-to-urban migration. The area suffers
from inadequate infrastructure, overcrowding, and limited access to basic
services such as sanitation, healthcare, and education. Economic activities
are largely informal, with residents relying on small-scale agriculture and
unregulated labor markets. Environmental degradation, coupled with poor
urban planning, further exacerbates living conditions. Addressing these
challenges requires comprehensive development strategies to improve
infrastructure, enhance livelihoods, and integrate the area into the broader
urban fabric sustainably.
 title quote reference
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Synthesis of Findings

The literature highlights that rural-to-urban migration has driven the

expansion of informal settlements in Egypt’s cities, estimates typically
range from 30% to 40% of urban residents now living in these areas - As
the Urban population living in slums or informal settlements (thousands)
is 1722- (UN-Habitat, 2021).
 Combining physical upgrades with social services has proven effective in
enhancing slum conditions. The UNDP’s Urban Upgrading Program
(2020) integrates housing improvements with healthcare and education to
improve residents’ quality of life. Participatory planning, as implemented
in the Maspero Triangle Project (El-Kadi, 2018), includes residents in the
planning process, reducing displacement and ensuring that changes meet
local needs. Community involvement has led to better service delivery
and support for development efforts (Sims, 2015; PDP, 2020).

Investment in critical infrastructure, such as water and sanitation, also

positively impacts health and economic productivity (Angel et al., 2011;
ISDF, 2021). Policy frameworks like Egypt’s Vision 2030 support
cohesive slum upgrading, but greater coordination among government
bodies is needed to ensure sustainable success (Kipper & Fischer, 2009).

Gaps in Knowledge

 The current impacts of rural-to-urban migration policies. - there is

limited understanding of how migration patterns have shifted in
response to economic or social policies, particularly recent ones
under Egypt Vision 2030.-
 The effectiveness of existing Egyptian laws and regulations in
addressing the needs of rural-origin slums has not been adequately
analyzed.
 The literature does not sufficiently address the social participation
capacity.
 The absence of comprehensive quantitative data.
 Examine time-series data to identify changes over years