This paper summarises the characteristics of urban poverty in Greater Cairo (GC) region as one of the most important regions not only in Egypt but also in MENA region. The targeted region is administratively extended across three governorates which are Cairo, Giza, and Qaliobeia. It includes the urban areas of the three governorates with exception to only some scattered areas that constitutes an area of about 2900 km2. Discussed within are the factors that contributed to urban poverty within GC and its associated problems. The paper also discusses the experienced difficulties by the Egyptian Government while alleviating the urban poverty prevalence, which resulted from the complex nature of poverty in urban areas of GC region.
In order to understand the nature of urban poverty in GC it is important to recognise the definition of Urban Poverty which refers to poverty in urban areas. However, poverty has lots of definitions according to the approach that used for defining it; whether it is a monetary approach based on incomes and consumptions, or based on the capabilities of people or their social situation if they are included or excluded or based on a participatory approach that considers how poor people defined themselves as poor (Laderchi, Saith and Stewart, 2003).
The World Bank refers to the Urban Poor as those who are deprived from access to employment opportunities and income, adequate and secure housing and services, living in peaceful and healthy environments with social protection mechanisms, and access to adequate health and education opportunities (World Bank, 2008)
Urban Poverty has a different nature from a place to another as each region has its unique national, demographic, economic and governance contexts. Furthermore, the factors that formulated its nature in every country are different (Sims, 2003).
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The nature of Urban Poverty in Greater Cairo
3. The factors of Urban Growth in GC and its contribution to Urban Poverty
4. The link between Urban Poverty and the informal settlements
5. Urban poor people
6. Vulnerability in GC
7. Vulnerable groups in GC
8. The coping mechanisms by the poor of GC
9. Alleviating Urban Poverty
10. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to outline the nature of urban poverty in the Greater Cairo region, identify its specific characteristics, and examine the challenges faced by government interventions aimed at alleviating this poverty.
- The complex nature of urban poverty in Greater Cairo and its definitions.
- Factors driving urban growth in Cairo, including rural-urban migration and environmental degradation.
- The nexus between poverty and the proliferation of informal settlements.
- Vulnerability frameworks and coping mechanisms adopted by the urban poor.
- Government strategies, housing policies, and the limitations of current poverty reduction efforts.
Excerpt from the Book
The nature of Urban Poverty in Greater Cairo:-
In order to understand the nature of urban poverty in GC it is important to recognise the definition of Urban Poverty which refers to poverty in urban areas. However, poverty has lots of definitions according to the approach that used for defining it; whether it is a monetary approach based on incomes and consumptions, or based on the capabilities of people or their social situation if they are included or excluded or based on a participatory approach that considers how poor people defined themselves as poor (Laderchi, Saith and Stewart, 2003).
The World Bank refers to the Urban Poor as those who are deprived from access to employment opportunities and income, adequate and secure housing and services, living in peaceful and healthy environments with social protection mechanisms, and access to adequate health and education opportunities (World Bank, 2008)
Urban Poverty has a different nature from a place to another as each region has its unique national, demographic, economic and governance contexts. Furthermore, the factors that formulated its nature in every country are different (Sims, 2003).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This section provides an overview of the Greater Cairo region and outlines the study's scope regarding urban poverty and the difficulties government faces in its alleviation.
2. The nature of Urban Poverty in Greater Cairo: This chapter discusses various definitions of poverty and emphasizes that its nature is context-dependent, relying on unique demographic and economic factors.
3. The factors of Urban Growth in GC and its contribution to Urban Poverty: This chapter analyzes how historical, political, and demographic factors, such as migration and population density, contribute to urban problems and environmental degradation.
4. The link between Urban Poverty and the informal settlements: This section explores how the lack of housing and inadequate government policies have led to the concentration of poverty within informal settlements.
5. Urban poor people: This chapter compares different methodologies for measuring poverty in Egypt, including capability and subjective approaches.
6. Vulnerability in GC: This chapter examines the relationship between asset ownership and vulnerability, providing a matrix to identify potential indicators of risk.
7. Vulnerable groups in GC: This section identifies specific demographic groups—such as female-headed households, child laborers, and the disabled—who are most susceptible to poverty.
8. The coping mechanisms by the poor of GC: This chapter details the survival strategies of the urban poor, including reliance on kinship networks and debt.
9. Alleviating Urban Poverty: This section critiques current government strategies, noting the lack of sustainable housing solutions and the need for multi-sectoral cooperation.
10. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the complexity of urban poverty in Cairo, reiterating that success requires comprehensive cooperation and the inclusion of the poor's voice.
Keywords
Greater Cairo, Urban Poverty, Informal Settlements, Vulnerability, Asset Ownership, Coping Mechanisms, Housing Policy, Rural-Urban Migration, Egypt, Social Safety Net, Slums, Poverty Measurement, Capability Poverty, Governance, Urban Growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The work focuses on defining and characterizing the nature of urban poverty in the Greater Cairo region and analyzing why government interventions have struggled to effectively alleviate it.
What are the primary themes addressed?
The central themes include urban growth factors, the development of informal settlements, the vulnerability of specific population groups, and the effectiveness of poverty reduction strategies.
What is the primary objective of this paper?
The objective is to outline the nature of urban poverty in a region familiar to the author (Cairo) and identify specific characteristics that complicate government attempts at alleviation.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analysis based on secondary data, including literature reviews, reports from international organizations like the World Bank, and thematic surveys to assess poverty levels and vulnerability.
What is discussed in the main body of the text?
The body covers the definitions of poverty, drivers of urban growth, the link between informal settlements and poverty, and an evaluation of current housing and social welfare policies.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Greater Cairo, Urban Poverty, Informal Settlements, Vulnerability, Coping Mechanisms, and Housing Policy.
How does the paper categorize the types of slums in Cairo?
The paper categorizes them into informal settlements on former agricultural land, informal settlements on former desert state land, deteriorated historic core settlements, and deteriorated urban pockets.
What are the specific 'coping mechanisms' mentioned by the author?
The poor often resort to practices like fasting, reducing daily meals, borrowing money from relatives or through 'gamayias' (credit systems), and purchasing cheaper, low-quality goods.
What is the 'gamayias' system?
It is a traditional credit and saving system among neighbors in Cairo, where members periodically collect and rotate money to provide financial support to each individual involved.
Why does the author argue that government housing solutions are failing?
The author notes that government-built new towns are located in distant desert areas that lack appeal for the poor, rendering the solutions unsustainable and ineffective for their specific needs.
- Quote paper
- Nabila EL-Gabalawi (Author), 2008, Urban poverty in Cairo (Egypt), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/156541
