UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI Date: 10-Nov-2010 I, Waleed Alzamil , hereby submit this original work as part of the requirements for the degree of: Master of Community Planning in Community Planning It is entitled: Evaluate the Experiences of Governments in Dealing with Squatter Settlements in Middle East ”Comparative Analysis of Cases of Squatter Settlements in Egypt” Student Signature: Waleed Alzamil This work and its defense approved by: Committee Chair: Christopher Auffrey, PhD Christopher Auffrey, PhD Francis Russell, MArch, BA Francis Russell, MArch, BA 11/12/2010 1,177 Evaluate the Experiences of Governments in Dealing with Squatter Settlements in Middle East "Comparative Analysis of Cases of Squatter Settlements in Egypt" A thesis submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Community Planning in the Department of Planning of the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning by Waleed Alzamil M.Sc. Urban Planning, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia 2005 B.Sc. Urban Planning, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia 2001 November 2010 Committee Chair: Prof. Christopher Auffrey, PhD Faculty Member: Prof. Frank Russell, AIA Abstract Key words: Evaluate, experiences, governments, dealing, Squatter Settlements, Middle East informal settlements, urban development, Egypt, neighborhood upgrading, urban, solution. Large cities in Middle Eastern countries, like much of the world, are characterized by rapid urban growth. Urbanization and urban growth often result in the proliferation of squatter settlements on the urban fringe. While squatter settlements provide a relief valve from pressure for housing very low income residents, they also create a complex array of physical, social, economic problems. In order to better understand how Middle Eastern governments can more effectively respond to squatter settlements, this thesis adopts an analytical approach and case study method to assess two such settlements in Egypt. Insight is gained by analyzing both the positive and negative outcomes of the Egyptian government’s response to squatter settlements. These insights are used to propose standards for scatter settlements that address the physical, social and economic needs of residents while addressing the problems posed by such settlements. This study found that in Egypt, much of the government’s response to squatter settlements has reflected a reactionary planning approach responding to popular pressure, media reports and donor requirements. The study found a lack of a comprehensive strategy based on regional approaches to problem‐solving. Also, the Egyptian government's response to the need for housing very low income residents is focused only on the physical dimension of the problem at the expense of the social and economic dimensions, including the need for public participation, employment generation strategies, and comprehensive assessments of residents’ needs. This study recommends a balanced regional development strategy based on locally appropriate development standards and building codes, and a fair distribution of development resources to cities and villages throughout the country. Such an approach should be designed to reach as many of the country’s poor residents as is possible. This approach would allow greater flexibility to allow poor residents to build for themselves structurally sound housing using relatively inexpensive building materials. Such an approach can encourage the expansion of housing on the basis of a family’s needs and resources. In addition, additional research is needed on squatter settlements in Egypt in order to better understand existing patterns of development so that alternative models might be created. iii All copyrights © reserved, 2010 Waleed Alzamil School of Planning College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, Cincinnati, OH iv Preface John Turner: “Takes a positive outlook and portrays squatter settlements as highly successful solutions to housing problems in urban areas of developing countries” (1) Hassan Fathy: Squatter settlements are represent the capabilities of the massive population by organizing themselves and find some kind of community relations, which is a substitute for inadequate government policies. These areas correspond with many of the principles adopted by Hassan Fathy, like: "Ten people can build ten houses, but one person cannot build one house" (2) (1) Turner, John “Uncontrolled Urban Settlement: Problems and Policies" in G. Breese (eds.) The City in Newly Developing Countries: Readings on Urbanism and Urbanization. Printice Hall 1969, pp. 507‐534. (2) Fathy, Hassan,Architecture for poor .Chicago: University of Chicago press,1973. v Acknowledgments There are many people I would like to thank in writing this thesis. First, I would like to thank Prof. Dr. Christopher Auffrey, Interim Director and Associate Professor in the school of planning. My committee chair, whose guidance, encouragement, and advice. Prof. Auffrey was a generous giving, correct any mistake, and help at any time. I would like to thank Prof. Frank Russell, The Director of the University of Cincinnati Community Design Center and the Niehoff Urban Studio and is Assistant Professor of Practice in Planning and Urban Design for his efforts and provided to help me during my work with him in Community Design Center. I would like also to thank Dr. Marisa Zapata the assistant professor in the school of planning. She helped in the early stages of this thesis are introduction, literature review, and research methodology. I have benefited greatly from the presentations and feedback that got in project I and project II. Thanks and gratitude to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization And Statistics (CAPMAS) in Egypt the official source for providing all the state bodies ,organizations, universities, research centers, and development and evaluation processes. Thanking, for their efforts and provide all the population statistical information. I would like to thank all members of the faculty of the school of planning who helped me in the information or advice. vi Terms Affordable housing Housing is affordable if it costs the occupant no more than 30% of their income for gross housing costs, including utilities. [US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)] Block A block is a tract of land bounded on all sides by streets or by a combination of streets, public parks, railroad rights‐of‐way, pier head lines or airport boundaries. [NYC Zoning,GLOSSARY:www.nyc.gov] Case‐study approach An in‐depth exploration of a particular context, such as a classroom or group of individuals that involves the collection of extensive qualitative data usually via interview, observation, and document analysis. [setda.org/web/guest/glossary] Crowding The feeling that is induced if our expectations about the use of space are violated by the presence of others. [tuition.com.hk/psychology/c.htm] Density Refers to the intensity of development within a zoning district. In residence districts, density is generally measured by the maximum number of dwelling units permitted on a zoning lot. The maximum number of units is calculated by dividing the maximum residential floor area permitted on a zoning lot by the applicable factor for each zoning district. (Fractions equal to at least ¾ are considered one unit.) The factors for each vii district are approximations of average unit size plus allowances for any common areas. Special density regulations apply to mixed buildings that contain both residential and community facility uses. [NYC Zoning,GLOSSARY:www.nyc.gov] Dealing Method or manner of conduct in relation to others Or the act of transacting within or between groups. [wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn] Development A development includes the construction of a new building or other structure on a zoning lot, the relocation of an existing building to another lot, or the use of a tract of land for a new use. [NYC Zoning,GLOSSARY:www.nyc.gov] Economic efficiency A term that refers to the optimal production and consumption of goods and services. An investment may be considered economically efficient if it offers net benefits to the economy. [dfpni.gov.uk/eag‐glossary] Evaluate Retrospective analysis of a project, program, or policy to assess how successful or otherwise it has been, and what lessons can be learnt for the future. To draw conclusions from examining; to compute an expression. Or measure: evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent. [dictionary.reference.com], [www.dfpni.gov.uk/eag‐glossary] Experiences General concept comprises knowledge of or skill in or viii observation of something or some event gained through involvement in or exposure to that thing or event. [Levitt, Heidi M. (1999)] Facility A building or place that provides a particular service or is used for a particular industry; the assembly plant is an enormous facility. [wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn] Government The act of governing; exercising authority. Or Authority governing the city or state. [wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn] Poverty line A level of income below which people are deemed poor. A global poverty line of $1 per person per day was suggested in 1990 (World Bank 1990). This line facilitates comparison of how many poor people there are in different countries. But, it is only a crude estimate because the line does not recognize differences in the buying power of money in different countries, and, more significantly, because it does not