Physical Quality of Life Benchmark for Unsafe Slums in Egypt

Abstract

Enhancing the quality of life in urban settle ments is one of the most significant challenges facing governments. In the case of unsafe-slums, the challenge is even more problematical, as slum dwellers not only suffer from substandard housing, devoid of basic necessities and unhealthy urban conditions, but they are exposed to danger. This paper focuses on extracting the most significant physical QoLindices in unsafe-slums in Egypt, taking into account the limited designated investments and the temporary situation of suchslums. Interviews with central governments (ISDF, GOPP), local authorities (Cairo and Gizagovernates), and urban planning experts were conducted, in addition to secondary data collected from reports andresearches. The study reveals that the first priority to uplift the QoL, is to reserve the household health by providing adequate and low-cost water supply, sanitation and solid waste management. While enhancing services, housing condition and increasing economic activities is not prompt, as it probably will result in rooting the community to unsafe neighborhoods. Finally, the study proposed a paradigm that differentiates between the QoLbench mark for unsafe slums subjected to relocation strategies and other types of slums to be upgraded and developed.