Towards Strategic Planning Implementation for Egyptian Cities

Strategic urban planning plays a real and significant role in developing the urban areas worldwide as It helps in mitigating the loss of lands, especially in diverting urban growth away from the “agricultural lands”. It provides better urban services and utilities in terms of quality and enhances the local economy, liveability, and sustainability. This paper explores the importance of strategic plans and their role in sustainable development in addition to the importance of the implementation process. A questionnaire with the local authorities for a group of 19 cities was implemented. The case studies for the planning of such cities started over 4 years ago. It has been found that there are many implementation problems that prevent the conversion process and making the plan a reality. The aim of this paper is represented in two points. First, to illustrate the concept of the strategic planning process and how Egypt deals therewith. Second, to suggest a new implementation system which can solve the main implementation problems in Egypt. In conclusion, the paper identifies, using statistics, the perspectives of the local government's staff in Egypt towards the preparation and implementation of the strategic plans, including proposed solutions for problem treatment, and the opportunity of community participation.