Egypt's Prosperity Lies in Urbanization

New York Time's columnist David Leonhardt contends that what Egypt really needs to do is refocus on urbanism.

1 minute read

February 17, 2011, 2:00 PM PST

Egypt's economic growth has stalled over the last 30 years due to the fact that it has become less urban. Development has faltered, says Leonhardt, who also points out that Egyptians have had difficulty using their skills to advance the city.

"So one of the tasks facing Mr. Mubarak's successors will be creating places within Egypt where Egyptians want to move,"

"These will be the places where Egyptian companies become less reliant on the state and more exposed to global competition. They will be places where research and development, which is scant in Egypt today, take off. They will be places where ingenuity - the same kind of ingenuity that just toppled a dictator - creates jobs."

"Whatever the details, you can be sure that a more prosperous Egypt will be a more urban one."

FULL STORY: For Egypt, a Fresh Start, With Cities

Tuesday, February 15, 2011 in The New York Times

Community / Economic Development Middle East Egypt Mubarak

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