A Study of the Development of Egyptian Urban Sustainability Assessment Mechanisms from the Perspective of the United Kingdom

Abstract

Along with the increasing prominence of urban sustainability, there has been a surge in developing indicators, assessment methods, and tools to evaluate sustainability and integrate it into urban planning and development. This is reflected in the extensive research conducted over the past three decades. Given the subjective nature of sustainability, these efforts encompass wide ranges and address various scales, from individual projects to entire city regions.

The significant interest in assessing urban sustainability stems from its numerous advantages, including monitoring progress toward sustainability goals, enhancing transparency and accountability in urban planning, raising public awareness, as well as enabling more informed decision making by planners and policymakers.

This research explores the factors influencing the process and outcomes of urban sustainability assessment in Egypt. Recognizing the growing importance of urban sustainability and the diverse range of assessment approaches, the study investigates relevant indicators, data sources, and assessment methods. Through a multi-method approach involving surveys, expert interviews, and comparisons with United Kingdom’s practices, the research identifies gaps in current Egyptian practices. It concludes by proposing a comprehensive model for urban sustainability assessment in Egypt, including a set of indicators, and emphasizes the need for a bottom-up organizational structure to effectively implement sustainable development principles across all sectors.