After aiding in the dissolution of Egypt's authoritarian regime, social media is being enlisted to tackle a more formidable obstacle: easing its capital city's traffic, reports Noel King.
As King observes, "For those who haven't been to Cairo, traffic may seem like a trifle. But in a sprawling megalopolis with a population approaching 20 million, residents schedule everything from workdays to weddings around traffic jams that stretch for miles and ensnare drivers for hours at a time."
It should be no surprise then that Bey2ollak, "a company whose free crowdsourcing app allows Egyptians to report on and avoid traffic," has beaten out 4,000 other entrants to win a recent competition sponsored by Google to find Egypt's most promising startup business.
"Bey2ollak is based on a very simple insight: that there is always
someone on the street who knows how horrible [traffic] is or how well it
is flowing," says co-founder Gamal el din Sadek. "It's always been
one-to-one communication, but the information is relevant to everyone.
We created a community that is one-to-many."
"The app uses casual, funny language
that appeals to young users who choose from a list of options like 'sweet,' to indicate traffic is light or 'no hope,' which means stay off
the roads at all costs. And Bey2ollak has found another niche in
post-revolution Egypt, where protests and marches are frequent.: Users
can alert travelers-and be alerted-to 'khattar' or 'danger' if
protesters and security forces are clashing in the streets."
FULL STORY: After Aiding Egypt's Revolution, Social Media Is Taking On Cairo's Traffic

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses
The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund
A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards
Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.
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.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service