(Photo by Mohamed Omar/ DNE File Photo)
The government has put in place an urgent plan to restructure unutilised economic areas in popular neighbourhoods to maximise income, according to Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb.
Mehleb held consultations on Saturday with the Ministers of Local Development, Housing and Urban Development, Health, Social Solidarity, and Culture, in addition to the Cairo Governor, regarding the plan.
Mehleb called upon the concerned ministers to cooperate and coordinate to implement the plan and turn the popular neighbourhoods into tourist attractions through utilising their heritage, tourism, and architectural elements, according to cabinet spokesperson Hossam El-Kawish.
He added that the plan included the revival of the cultural aspects of these neighbourhoods, as well as highlighting the histories of the prominent Egyptian figures who lived in these areas. The first development phase will include the development of the neighbourhoods of Darb Al-Ahmar, Gamaleya and Sayeda Zeinab.
According to a cabinet statement, the government will use specialised Egyptian expertise in implementing the development process for these neighbourhoods. The development plan began in Cairo because it contains a number of neighbourhoods of a special nature. The plan will however extend to similar areas in different governorates.
Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali said her ministry will contribute to the popular neighbourhoods’ development through special programmes to implement volunteer projects. These will offer services to residents of these neighbourhoods, and provide job opportunities for the youth, in addition to summer programmes for younger people.
“We met on Saturday to agree on a quick action plan to develop the infrastructure of Darb Al-Ahmar, pave roads, and restore heritage buildings, putting into consideration the nature of every building while identifying the responsibility of each party in the framework of the plan,” Cairo Governor Galal Saeed said.
He expected that the governorate would complete the basic plan for development within a month, coinciding with efforts implemented in the field of hygiene and waste-removal.
Minister of Health Adel El-Adawi said he held a meeting to develop health services in these popular neighbourhoods through long-term and short-term plans. These include preventive and curative services, and raising the level of services for residents, as well as creating a 24/7 network for ambulatory services.
