Geographic Information System as a Support Tool for Planners to Choose the Best Suitable Location for the Development of New Economic Cities

Abstract

In Egypt, the challenge posed by current urban situation accompanied by the continuous increase in population is currently of crucial importance. The total land area of Egypt is about one million square kilometres, where only 7.6% of its total area is cultivated and inhabited. Egypt 2030 urban development plan aims to spread development over 40% of Egypt’s area to exploit available natural resources and provide around 20 million job opportunities. Sinai Peninsula is one of the most promising destinations for development. However, development in such a virgin area and unique environment as Sinai should be cautious. Hence, the research paper aims to adopt a pilot method to support planners in choosing new cities locations using geographic information system as a scientific tool. The results have been shown through implementing a pilot analytical methodology to finally reach suitable city locations through combining the planning matrix with GIS technology to query the overlay of the target area of interest. Four different sets of criteria have been proposed accordingly to plan for economic city base founded on natural and physical resources.