The Ismailia Master Plan and demonstration projects in Egypt introduced a range of innovative approaches. They started in 1975 after the peace accord with Israel. Innovation was strongest in the approach to housing where upgrading and new urban areas were approached based on an understanding of existing systems including the land and property market and the mechanisms of informal development. The projects were largely self financing and managed by local staff and were of significant scale. The form of planning was also innovative, with a strong emphasis on capacity development , linking closely with decision making and ensuring early action on the ground.
The demonstration projects were a stepping stone to building a governorate-wide capacity to actively plan and manage development.
Hai el Salam upgrading late ’70s setting out new plot boundaries
A number of publications has charted the experience, and the “Urban Projects Manual” published by Liverpool University Press for ODA (later DfID) based on the experience went through two editions and has been used to support many projects world wide. The Manual is now out of print but we have permission from copyright holders, Crown Copyright, under an Open Licence Agreement for public sector information to make it available as a pdf for use on a non-commercial basis. (see Downloads)
Pictures from early stages of the project. Click images for captions and comments.
Images from the Hai el Salam project in recent years show the progressive consolidation that has taken place. The area has become a lively part of the city. Unlike informal development it has good infrastructure and services.
