Egypt launches the National Smart Cities Strategy for sustainable urban transformation
Egypt launches the national strategy for smart cities for sustainable urban transformation
In a major step towards sustainable urban transformation, Egypt launched the National Strategy for Smart Cities. In order to stimulate transformation efforts towards urban planning based on the concepts of digitalization and sustainability; It is a national declaration that came in conjunction with the expansion of the construction of new cities, and the state’s aspiration to make Egyptian urbanism more flexible and efficient.
The announcement of the launch of the National Strategy for Smart Cities comes in a step that the government believes paves the way for a new era of urban planning based on the concept of digital transformation, efficiency in resource management, and improving the quality of life of citizens, within the framework of “Egypt Vision 2030” and through its axes that work to achieve sustainable transformation in all fields and sectors.
Regarding that national declaration,Earth Guards highlights the dimensions of the national strategy for smart cities, and explores its goals that Egypt seeks in order to improve the quality of life of citizens; So keep reading.
The citizen at the heart of urban transformation
In the past few hours, the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities launched the national strategy for smart cities in Egypt (first phase: new cities), in cooperation between it and the Ministry of Communications, in addition to the World Bank and the Swiss Embassy in Egypt.
With broad government participation, represented by ministers and representatives of national bodies, such as the New Urban Communities Authority, the General Authority for Urban Planning, the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, and the Urban Development Fund.
In his speech, Eng. Sherif El-Sherbiny, “Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities,” confirmed that the announcement of the national strategy for smart cities represents a new starting point in the journey ofThe New Republic, explaining that this approach is a strategic choice to transform urban challenges into development opportunities, ensuring the provision of a more equitable and sustainable urban environment, and achieving the desired balance between economic growth and resource protection. Natural.
He stressed that the national strategy for smart cities is based on the principle of integration between various sectors. In order to achieve comprehensive sustainable development, stressing that smart cities are not merely technological infrastructure, but rather are human cities in their essence. It aims to improve the quality of life of citizens through better services, easier transportation, and a healthier and safer environment.
In the same context, Dr. Amr Talaat – Minister of Communications – referred to the proposals of the World Urban Forum, which was held in Cairo last year. He called for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) andInternet of Things (IoT) technologies into the smart cities system.
Dr. Amr Talaat also indicated that the new strategy comes after Egyptian efforts; Since 2019, the government has begun implementing an ambitious plan to spread fiber-optic cables in cities, and extend fiber-optic networks in villages within the “Decent Life” project. All of this confirms the state’s readiness to adopt smart city solutions with high efficiency.
International praise for the launch of the National Strategy for Smart Cities
During the launch events of the National Strategy for Smart Cities, Mr. Stefan Gimbert, “Regional Director for Egypt – Yemen – Djibouti at the World Bank Group,” said: “Egypt’s National Strategy for Smart Cities represents a prominent milestone that places the citizen at the heart of urban transformation; Because smart cities are better services in daily life; Faster travel, safer streets, more energy efficient buildings, and closer and more accessible jobs”.
Gimpert added that the World Bank is proud to support this effort in cooperation with the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, the New Urban Communities Authority, and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
For his part, Ambassador Andreas Baum, “Switzerland’s Ambassador to Egypt,” said: “The National Strategy for Smart Cities in Egypt provides a framework that places citizens at the heart of urban development. It achieves cohesion between agencies and integrates technologies with each other. Therefore, smart cities are about “smart” infrastructure, and more importantly, they are about smarter governance and more efficient services.«
He pointed out that this achievement represents the first stage of an ongoing journey, explaining that we must look to the future to support the development of smart city implementation plans in selected cities over the coming years, which will reflect the diversity of new urban areas in Egypt, whether they are emerging growth centers, industrial centers, tourist and commercial destinations, or residential communities. These plans should therefore be pilot models for scaling up efforts throughout all new cities.
Urban cities and a sustainable future
The launch of the National Strategy for Smart Cities builds a sustainable environment for all citizens, ensures fair distribution of services, efficiency in resource management, comprehensiveness in policies, and reduces development gaps between different regions. Because this strategy is an integrated vision that reformulates the relationship between people and the city, and opens new horizons for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing decent job opportunities, and improving the quality of life at all levels.
Between development ambitions and the requirements of social justice,The Earth Guards Foundation presents its point of view on the new national declaration, considering that the national strategy for smart cities is a real opportunity to reshape Egyptian cities in a way that takes into account the dimensions of socially, economically and environmentally sustainable development, where technology meets social justice, and sustainability is interconnected with the needs of… Cities.
