Overcrowding and pollution in Cairo have inspired planners to push out into the desert, raising two brand-new cities out of the sand.
The New York Times reports that the new cities are expected to attract 5 million Cairo residents, relieving overcrowding:
"While the plans are intended to help resolve the problem of overcrowding and the proliferation of illegal slums, critics are worried that the cities will do nothing but transfer the inequalities. Low income housing is part of the planning, but the first low income housing projects are already causing headaches for residents as long commutes and isolation cut into already meager wages.
The cities, named "6 October City" and "New Cairo", already have roughly a million residents each and Egyptian planners expect these populations to grow above 3 million by 2020."
Thanks to Ryan Sloan
FULL STORY: To Catch Cairo Overflow, 2 Megacities Rise in Sand
Keeping Bees Away from Honey? Corruption Cases Expose Flaws in L.A. City’s Land Entitlement Process
Three former Los Angeles public officials share their collective perspective on how best to reform the city of Los Angeles' corrupted land use approval process.
Transfer of Air Rights Sought to Finance Public Housing Improvements in Brooklyn
The rezoning of the neighborhood of Gowanus in Brooklyn is providing opportunities for local politicians to address local needs.
A Retiring Dean Considers the Changing Responsibilities of Planners
Former L.A. City Councilmember and retiring Cal Poly College of Environmental Design Dean Michael Woo reminds readers of the visionary responsibilities of elected officials to ensure the plans of today indeed consider the needs of tomorrow.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
The French Solution to Congested Tunnels: Make Them Car-Free
Bay Area transportation officials keep expanding car capacity. Lyon’s Croix Rousse Tunnel offers a different way.
Missouri Governor Reverses Anti-Discrimination Housing Policies
A new state law bars cities from prohibiting source-of-income discrimination against tenants using Section 8 housing vouchers.
USDOT Launches Unfunded 'SAFE ROADS' Program
The program targets “distractions” and “political messages or artwork,” and paves the way for autonomous vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Fort Worth
planning NEXT
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie