Toward revitalization of new towns in Egypt case study: Sixth of October

Egypt adapted many experiments by establishment of new towns and urban settlements in the desert areas. These experiments aim to achieve developmental strategic aspects in the fields of urbanization, environmental, economic, and social. However, there is severe limitation in the achievement of the requirement rates either in the demographic growth rates, or in the economic growth rates, or in the urban development rates. Therefore, it should be evaluated either from the theoretical aspect or the executive one. Thus, the aim of this paper is to investigate Egypt’s new town policy, a central pillar of the nation’s urban development strategy over the last 30 years. The history and growth of new towns are reviewed; challenges as well as achievements are identified. Sixth of October new town is chosen as a case study, to delve into the details of development issues in one of the largest new towns. Finally, policy implications for improving the performance of Sixth of October and other new towns are suggested.