Cairo's New Megacities

Overcrowding and pollution in Cairo have inspired planners to push out into the desert, raising two brand-new cities out of the sand.

1 minute read

August 26, 2010, 11:00 AM PDT

By Anonymous (not verified)

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

Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in The New York Times

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