Urban Development
New Administrative Capital
The Ministry of Manpower is now called the Ministry of Labor. It has announced its complete move to the New Administrative Capital.
The Council of Ministers asked ministries to introduce financial incentives to encourage government employees to move to the New Administrative Capital. The housing allowance is EGP 4,000 for first-class employees and EGP 5,000 for directors. Discounts are also available for the purchase of villas.
Alexandria
The Prime Minister toured works in progress in Alexandria. He visited a project to widen the corniche from 6 to 10 lanes. He also toured the rainwater management system. The Governor of Alexandria pointed out that flooding was partly due to climate change.
Cairo cemeteries
The issue of cemeteries has reached the National Dialogue, which issued a positive opinion on President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi’s wish to transfer well-known tombs from the Imam al-Shafi‘i and Sayyeda Nafissa cemeteries to the New Administrative Capital. The President spoke of a committee headed by the Prime Minister to create a Cemetery of the Immortals, a decision approved by the Supreme Council of Antiquities. This cemetery would contain the tombs of the state’s leading figures, as well as a museum on historic cemeteries. The Arab Council of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists met in early June to discuss Cairo’s historic cemeteries. The Board also reviewed the President’s proposal and pointed out that only 20% of cemeteries were registered as antiquities.
On June 24, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly visited Cairo’s historic cemeteries. At a press conference, he confirmed the desire to relocate some of the tombs to the Cemetery of the Immortals. He explained that the transfer of certain tombs was necessary due to the insalubrity of the site, where the water table is at its highest. He compared the rescue of the tombs to that of the Nubian temples during the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
The Museum of Islamic Art received 18 artifacts rescued from destruction in the Sayyeda Aisha and Imam al-Shafi’i area.
Al-Ahram Online looks at the history of these cemeteries, the practices associated with them, and recent developments.
Magra el-Uyun District, Cairo
Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly follows the progress of the Magra el-Uyun district. The first phase of the project includes 79 residential buildings and a 51,000 m2 shopping center. 2,000 families were relocated to Badr since work started. The New Urban Communities Authorities, in charge of new cities and new developments in the country, says new construction in the project will sell for EGP 10,000 per m2.
Other
CAPMAS announced that Egypt’s population reached 105 million on June 3, 2023, an additional million in eight months.
Transport
While inaugurating Haya Karima projects in the village of Al-Abadia in Beheira, President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi reiterated the importance of road projects in the country. He praised the work of Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly. The budget allocated to new road in 2018, 2019 and 2020 would amount to EGP 14 billion, EGP 26 billion and EGP 28 billion respectively. The number of bridges would have risen from 208 to 1,848 between 2013 and 2020, an increase of 790%. The President pointed out that this infrastructure is designed to avoid traffic jams and make life easier for citizens.
A few months in (see October 2022 press review), most of the self-service bike terminals have deteriorated and the shared bikes have disappeared from the capital. The Cairo Governorate has entrusted the rehabilitation of the Cairo Bike network to a new operator.
A project to renovate Cairo’s Ramses railway station and its surroundings is currently underway. The aim is to improve traffic flow.
Sleeper train fares are rising this month for Egyptians and people from other Arab countries. Cairo24 details the prices.
Environment
Climate
The month of June was marked by a number of sandstorms. Al-Ahram Online looks back at the June 1 storm in pictures. A billboard collapsed during the storm on the October 6 bridge. One person died and two others were injured. After the incident, the authorities advised residents to stay indoors. Members of parliament requested information on the safety of billboards, and are calling for a review of installation licenses.
The Alexandria authorities are working on a rainwater management strategy in anticipation of the winter season and potential flooding.
Other
Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad was in Paris to negotiate an international treaty against plastic pollution. A waste collection campaign took place in Alexandria, on Saraya beach.
Sharm el-Sheikh won the “Best Sustainable Tourist City” award from the Arab Union for Tourism Media.
Al-Ahram Online presents the Tree Lovers association, which is calling for the protection of the trees of Maadi in Cairo.
Florian Bonnefoi
