Assessment of participatory urban development approaches in Egypt “towards more just cities”

Abstract EN

The 'spatialization' of justice and the desire for more 'Just Cities' has been increasingly
receiving the attention of many urban theorists.

Recent theories of urban planning
emphasizes on democratic urban planning processes as a key to justice, in other words, the
elimination of domination and oppression in urban planning.

Yet, as a concept, justice is
often taken for granted as an end result in the urban development plans.

As our right to the
city is shaped by our spatial experience, the purpose of this paper is to assess the
participatory urban development projects' processes and their outcomes in terms of spatial
justice, taking place in Egypt.

The paper investigates the extent to which expanding the role
of ordinary citizens in the development process can yield socially and spatially just
outcomes.

Ezzbet El Nasr in Cairo is chosen for the case study.

It is examined through a set
of criteria to help evaluate the participatory development projects that took place by the
GIZ-PDP in the area.

The paper will conclude with a set of recommendations on how the
city resident can contribute, connect and prosper to reach their full potential through their
spatial experience.