Al Gohary: 372 Unsafe Districts in Egypt

Dr Sherif Al Gohary, director of technical support unit in Slums Development Fund, said the numbers of unsafe slums in Egypt are 372 ones pursuant to the last survey done in May by the fund.

He elaborated that the slums are classified into two levels; the first is unplanned districts which represent 80% of the urban mass, the second is unsafe districts, 1% of the urban mass. He added that the fund’s priority is to start with the unsafe districts.

The unsafe districts are classified into four levels; starting with the districts which threaten their residents’ lives, dilapidated houses, houses threaten health as those houses nearby electricity stations and the last is the districts lack possession.

Al Gohary revealed that the fund is finishing the guiding phase by developing the unsafe districts. This period will be for informing people with the danger of these areas; moreover to let them choose between the compensation or the alternative units in return for leaving these units. This is for re-planning these areas.

46% of the areas that threaten the residents’ lives are in Cairo. The fund succeeded in transferring 2249 residential units out of Cairo to Oct. 6 in 2011. Also Port Said governorate in June delivered 3600 units to residents of Zerzara area.

Al Gohary said the cost of implementing the plan of Slum Development Fund is EGP 8.4 billion; explaining that these sums to be collected by grants or revolving loan.