Social housing in Egypt is a pioneering model for sustainable infrastructure

It appears to every eye that the social housing projects implemented by the Egyptian state in the last decade are an essential pillar of sustainable development with its seventeen goals. Because of its realistic efforts that affect the Egyptian citizen socially, economically and environmentally.

At the top of these goals is the eleventh goal, which calls for building sustainable cities and local communities. Therefore, social housing and its green projects have turned into an integrated development system that integrates energy efficiency standards and resource rationalization with the concept of social justice.

All of these efforts made Egypt a leading regional model to be emulated in modern urban planning.In accordance with sustainable development; This is what The Earth Guards Foundation highlights in the following lines: So keep reading.

Social housing is the engine of development

The period (2014-2026) witnessed an unprecedented construction boom, which aimed to provide rental housing units in a large number of governorates of the Republic, and they were units worthy of the Egyptian citizen, with a focus on integrating the environmental dimension into national policies.

A quick look at the national numbers reveals the scale of this sustainable achievement. This is as follows:

Size of achievement: More than 1.2 million housing units were implemented within social housing projectsvarious types, more than 90% of which were directed to low-income groups.

Specific initiatives: The state launched the “Housing for All Egyptians” initiative, which received praise from the World Bank; Because it is the first national initiative to establish housing projects within what is called sustainable housing or green.

Effective partnership: The partnership with more than 2,000 contracting companies also contributed to providing about 4 million direct and indirect job opportunities. Hence, Egypt was able to advance the economy in a balanced and fair manner.

Shifting towards green housing

Egypt also worked on its urban plansProviding appropriate shelter, and adopted an ambitious strategy that believed in what is called “green housing.” These are residential units that apply the highest advanced environmental standards in this field, and include:

• Sustainable engineering designs
• Natural ventilation
• Good lighting
• Reducing electricity and water consumption

Egyptian ambition – since the establishment of sustainable social housing projects – has played a role in rebuilding the concepts of resource efficiency, and raising awareness of the importance of adapting to climate change in urban projects, by building communities characterized by robust design, and integrating green spaces and integrated service facilities. In order to provide a sustainable environment.

In the context of supporting citizensEconomically, the state was keen to make these sustainable housing projects available through the easy real estate financing system, taking into account the social dimension. The units were offered with flexible financing mechanisms for low- and middle-income people, with the possibility of paying the unit price in long-term installments.

All of this is part of a well-thought-out plan aimed at making modern and sustainable housing accessible to wide segments of Egyptian society, and in a way that permanently enhances the opportunities for a decent and safe life for current and future generations.

Housing is a social right

From the above, it is clear to us how social housing projects have succeeded in embodying a comprehensive development vision, a vision whose philosophy is based on closely linking the provision of adequate housing – as a basic right – and promotingSocial justice frameworks and advancing economic growth.

On the one hand, social housing was able to eliminate slums; Major projects such as “Al-Asmarat” and “Bashaer Al-Khair” contributed to moving citizens from unsafe areas to integrated, civilized societies.

On the other hand, social housing had a role in integrating basic services within one city. The units are not built in isolation from basic services, such as schools, health centers, and public transportation. Which improves the social, educational and health indicators of the population.

In conclusion, it is clear from what I read The Earth Guards Foundation One of the sustainable indicators is that social housing in Egypt is based on a strategic vision that goes beyond temporary solutions to the housing crisis; It is an experience that puts a person in the heartUrban planning, through green building techniques, activating partnerships with the private sector, and committing to all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).