‘Green Cairo’ Project to Turn Cleared Land Into Parks & Green Spaces

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has directed the immediate launch of a ‘Green Cairo’ project to turn cleared spaces into green areas, beginning with tree planting along the Cairo Ring Road and several major roads and corridors.

A working group bringing together relevant ministries, Cairo Governorate and consulting offices will oversee implementation and develop a standard model for greening main roads. Specialists will determine landscaping plans, planting density and the types of trees best suited to street conditions.

The project also includes an inventory of vacant government land across Cairo, with suitable plots to be converted into parks and green spaces. Government entities that currently hold those plots are expected to be compensated with land in new cities.

Tertiary treated wastewater will be used to irrigate new green areas and street planting, with the Ministry of Housing already working with specialised consultants on similar systems in new cities.

Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber said a pilot model has already been implemented on Dr Ibrahim Abu El Naga Street in Nasr City, with plans to extend the approach across additional main roads and corridors.

Consultants also presented proposals for planting interstitial spaces, upgrading public squares, increasing tree density along existing axes, greening newly completed roads, creating new public parks and improving the appearance of bridges.

Tree selection will take into account available irrigation methods, shade coverage, growth speed and suitability for Cairo’s environmental conditions.