Cairo Transportation

Urban Ecologies 12/20/2010

Cairo Sustainable Transportation

Bishoy Tala | Fall 2010 | Bishoy Takla Professor Achva Benzinberg Stein

Table of Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 3

2. background ............................................................................................................................... 4

3. the problem 3.1. Public transportation ................................................................................................................. 5 3.2. Technology mix and misuse ...................................................................................................... 6 3.3. Traffic signs and enforcement.................................................................................................... 7 3.4. Environmental issues ................................................................................................................. 7

4. the solution 4.1. New cities ................................................................................................................................. 8 4.2. Car-free zones ........................................................................................................................... 9 4.3 New traffic laws....................................................................................................................... 10 4.5 The bike city ............................................................................................................................ 10 4.6 Successful example of Amsterdam ........................................................................................... 13

5. conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 14

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Cairo Sustainable Transportation Introduction “If all the cars in the United States were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day Weekend” Said Doug Larson, but if all the cars in Cairo did so it would be another normal day. Most of the mega cities in the world have transportation problems.

Egypt is one of the biggest and leading countries in the Middle East, with a population of 80 million1 inhabitants. It is considered the second most populous country in Africa after Nigeria. Its population is expected to reach 103 million by 20302 , with more than 50% of its population living in urban areas and cities. Cairo is one of the most densely populated capital cities in the world; it is the most populous metropolitan area in Africa and ranks 16th worldwide3. Cairo is faced with many problems in its way to development; the traffic congestion is a heavy burden with more than 2 million cars on the city’s streets in addition to the air pollution which causes 15,000 to 25,000 deaths every year.

Nevertheless, Transportation is one of our vital needs as technology and development are moving forward nowadays. The increasing needs for vehicles results in traffic congestion especially in big cities. Cairo is considered the biggest megacity in Africa and in the Middle East, with 7,062,055 people4 living in a total area of 1,881.4 Km2 (464.8 acre)5, giving Cairo a population density of 40,000 p/km26.

The Greater Cairo Region has been looking for solution to its traffic chaos since the early 1970’s (Figure 1& 2), when the Ministry of Urban Development issued the first development plan. Then followed a long term development master plan in 1983(Figure 3). in conjunction with IUERIF institution Paris; the plan divided the existing built-up area into sixteen homogenous neighborhoods in addition to adding another ten new urban settlements. Eight years later the department came up with the first update in 1991 followed by a 1997 revision. (Figure 4) . The rapid increase in car traffic, especially in the 1960s, aggravated congestion in the city centre and effective solutions are still needed. The overcrowded buses, along with a burgeoning

1

http://www.mapsofworld.com/egypt/population.html http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/news/expert-egypt-population-hit-103-mn-2030 3 http://www.mapsofworld.com/cities/egypt/cairo/population.html 4 www.Cairo.gov.eg 5 http://www.cairo.gov.eg/MainPage/AllProvinceInLines.aspx 6 Tackling the Shelter Challenge of Cities Thinking it Through Together Dr. Hazem El Kouedi 2

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fleet of private vehicle, trucks and motorcycle, help to fill the main roads of Cairo with noise and black diesel fumes and contribute to an increasingly hostile and dangerous world for pedestrians and bicyclists.7

This research paper is twofold. First, I will examine the government particular planning approaches to overcome the traffic problem. Secondly, I will respond to the identified strengths and weaknesses in these approaches. And finally I will introduce the bicycle as the ultimate solution to Cairo’s traffic congestion problem, as in the example of Amsterdam. To follow its steps toward more sustainable environment, hopping that one day Cairo might be called ‘the Middle East’s Amsterdam’

Background In order to provide the necessary context for understanding the unique nature of Cairo’s traffic, I will try to explain from my personal experience how critical the traffic problem is in Cairo, so the reader can have a good picture of the situation. In general, no traffic rules are observed unless they are enforced with the active presence of the authorities, traffic lights are ignored and replaced by policemen directing traffic with a whistle and hands. There are no fast lanes, slow lanes, or passing lanes. Basically the concept of lanes doesn’t exist, cars swarm across lanes. “Cairo traffic is a microcosm of Egyptian society”8. I don’t believe anyone can drive in Cairo’s street expect the native Cairenes because dealing with the system and the other drivers depends deeply on understanding the culture and the sign language, since there are no physical signs to follow.

Mac McCleary once said “Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you and scorn in the one ahead9” but in Cairo everyone is in need of patience, the usage of horns is continuously and

arbitrarily out of frustration, boredom or impatience, P.J O’Rourke states in his essay “Third World Driving Hints and Tips” that one should honk the horn “1- when anything blocks the road

7

Sustainable transportation byE Bruun nand J Kenworthy The Cairo House by samia serageldin 9 http://www.quotegarden.com/driving.html 8

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2- when anything doesn’t 3- when anything might 4- at red light 5- at green lights 6- at all other times”10 Cairo’s traffic system jeopardizes the security of the pedestrians in their everyday life, and the government doesn’t consider their existence in the development plans, and therefore there are no crossing lines or signs. That makes their presence in the street very risky and dependent on the drivers’ manners and mercy, since speed limits are ignored; a person can travel as fast as the surrounding traffic allows him. As a tourist stated this fact “Want to cross the street? Just step off and keep walking. Drivers will not stop but they will avoid you.”11 The best way for tourists to cross the street is to find some locals and walk across the street with them.

Even myself, as an Egyptian, in my first visit to Cairo after three years, I was desperate for my younger brother’s help in crossing the streets. Also, most of the city lacks pedestrian walkways and its narrow streets need to be more pedestrian-friendly.

The sign says pedestrians are not allowed to use the pedestrian bridge

The problem Several factors have contributed to Cairo’s traffic problems.

Public transportation The increasing number of the private cars as well as Cairenes’ reliance on cars is a critical issue, and that is the first reason for Cairo’s heavy traffic. The other side of the coin is the lack of a sufficient public transportation system. Commuters from the suburbs around Cairo seldom have other options than driving; the system is missing the reliability and the element of

10 11

Third World Driving Hints and Tips” by Patrick O’Rourke http://www.dintrone.com/egypt/index.html

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connectivity which is needed to provide a viable option to the majority of Cairo’s inhabitants.

Thus enhancing public transportation is desirable in order to lower fuel consumption, decrease traffic congestion and reduce air pollution.12 Technology mix and misuse Another contributing factor is the mix of old and new transportation modes sharing the same roads, fast-moving modern vehicles and slow-moving animal drawn carts, typical of many street scenes in Cairo .In addition to traffic conflict, safety and street congestion, there are efficiency issues. Cars are not moving as efficiently as they could, this misuse of personal vehicles in slow traffic for short distances has placed a great load of pressure on traffic flow. For example, an animal drawn cart in Cairo’s street can delay all the traffic because the right of way is not clearly given to the motorized vehicle. Studies done on some Indonesian cities (TDCSA, 1988) recommended guidelines and enforcement to encourage the proper use of transportation technology.

Traffic signs and enforcement One of the main causes of congestion is the absence of signs and instruction boards on Cairo’s roads. Cairo’s Transportation Department should put forth a greater effort to rectify these common shortcomings in infrastructure. Simply adding street signs would greatly ease traffic flow. Basic traffic enforcement can be indicated by counting traffic lights and traffic signs; both are seldom seen in Cairo. We can achieve efficient transportation in Cairo through traffic signs including the installation and maintenance of traffic lights and the designation of one-way streets.

Environmental issues

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First Year Report Captain Drew Fanning, USMC Olmsted Scholar, 2006

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Cairo’s traffic affects the city in various ways and the most obvious one is the degradation in air quality. The transport sector is responsible for about 28 % of the final energy consumption in Egypt, and 25 % of energy related CO2 emissions. Cairo’s transportation emits 15 million tons of CO2/year (table 3). Projections of transport greenhouse gas emission and the smog over shadowing Cairo are directly related to energy use in transportation system. The release of greenhouse gases in the combustion of fossil fuels in the vehicles’ engines cause: 1- Acid rain (occurring when water vapor reacts with sulfur and nitrogen dioxides, producing sulfuric and nitric acid13) Acid precipitation and other toxics can corrode building materials, in addition, high levels of pollution can cause damage to some of the ancient structures. Consequently, Cairo will lose its attraction as a tourist destination because of the traffic congestion and the decay of monuments.

2- Photochemical smog (consisting of ozone and chemical compounds formed under the influence of sunlight from NOx and volatile organic compounds released in fossil fuel combustion14) Photochemical smog and pollutants emission such as CO2,CO, NO and, NO2 directly affect the respiratory system and increase the chances of cardio-vascular diseases. Statistic shows that 20,000 deaths every year 159 million sick days per year 15 are related to air pollution Many of the environmental costs of transport are non-linear in their effects16, and the crucial issue becomes, not how to measure but how to avoid reaching critical levels before the environmental cost becomes very expensive.

Even though no one currently is paying the price for emissions doesn’t mean it is free of cost. According to the “Ecology of Commerce” Paul Hawkins explains the difference between the cost and the price “companies aren’t required to pay for the damage to the environment” 17. However Cairo’s economy suffers indirectly from the hazard emission and the air pollution. One billion Egyptian pounds18 were 13

http://www.ausetute.com.au/acidrain.html http://www.lenntech.com/faq-air-pollution.htm 15 “average of 2 sick days per person per year” Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency 16 Transport policy and the environment by David Banister 17 Ecology of Commerce, chapter 5 14

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spent in the year 2000 because of accidents and other consequences such as hospital costs, lost working hours and damage to vehicles.

The solution New cities Since Cairo has become a less pleasant place to live or work, the need for expanding Cairo beyond its current borders is a necessary step in solving the transportation problem. In the late 1970’s the government developed two outside cities, ‘Six of October city’ and ‘Tenth of Ramadan city’ on the west and east sides respectively. And since that time more and more cities were developed as a natural response to population increase (Figure 5 ) . ‘Sixth of October city’ already has roughly a million residents and planners expect the population to grow above 3 million by 202019. Some of those cities were successful and some were not, for example the successful example of Rehab City which took into account the need for close residential buildings and community facilities, and provided public transport to create an area that is both self-sustaining, and part of greater Cairo, in contrast to ‘tenth of Ramadan city’ which lacks the basic transportation network to connect the city together.

Because of the failure to keep up with the rapidly expanding population, more undeveloped residential neighborhoods were built. The undeveloped narrow streets of ‘Manshiet Nasser’ are the main reason for the neighborhood congestion; similar congestion could be avoided by planning and designing a large and rapid master plan to catch up with population gross.

18 19

Egypt Almanac , Ch4 http://www.planetizen.com/node/45720

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The undeveloped fabric in squatter settlements Manshiet Nasser comparing to Urban fabric in squatter settlements Muhandisin I think most of these cities were built in the desert around Greater Cairo Region in order to create new economic poles and to decentralize the population. However, the main necessary government facilities are still concentrated in downtown Cairo, thus increasing the commuting to and from the mother city. Since the new cities are based totally on the private-run microbuses and private cars consequently cause further congestion increase. Which leads to the second important project of converting downtown Cairo into pedestrian plaza Downtown Cairo Car-free A fifteen years plan was announced to relocate the government concentrated buildings from downtown Cairo into new cities, to reduce the congestion in downtown, as part of a bigger plan to create more carfree zones in Cairo.

New traffic law The government issued a new and harsher traffic law in 1999, in order to control the increasing number of accidents and their consequential injures and death. The new law uses the point system for the first time in Egypt, three traffic offences in a period of six months will result in suspension of the driver license for one year. But the idea of designating days for specific cars fell flat when drafting the new law, even though many mega cities have used it successfully.

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Such harsh laws will not last too long because of the unreasonable penalties such as prison sentences and very expensive tickets (EGP1000 to EGP300020) for offences like speeding or driving in the wrong direction 21 The bike City “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race” said H.G. Wells.

“You would have to have a death wish to cycle in Cairo22” according to worldtravelguide.net In light of these two quotes, I suggest the introduction of the bike lane as an ultimate solution for the overwhelming transportation crisis in Cairo, creating a non-motorized transportation network which will definitely be considered as a huge step toward sustainable transportation system. By considering bicycle as mean of transportation and paving the way for it in Cairo’s main streets will have a positive impact in a various fields; economically, environmentally and socially. The usage of bikes will also reduce air-pollution related diseases on the national level and on the individual level will offset the lack of exercise. In addition, it will enhance the quality of life, attract new economic activity, improve public health and safety, and create equity for citizens. Moreover bikes will have great benefits on the economic side of the side of the equation both individually and nationally. Individuals, especially low income householders, will save a lot of expense spent either on transportation fares or on fuel and maintenance of their private cars. On the other hand, the government can save the fuel subsidy in addition to the maintenance for car-related infrastructure such as road, high ways and bridges. In that sense the introduction of bikes can be seen as solution for poverty reduction as well. Cairo is not the first to indulge in this domain, China and the Netherlands began the usage of bicycles several decades ago, and have shown impressive and successful progress towards sustainable transportation. We see in the America's an effort to catch up in the procession these days. I think it is time for Cairo to consider bike as one of its modes of transportation.

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equal to one month wage of a middle class worker http://news.egypt.com/en/200808033391/spot-light/spot-light/the-new-egyptian-traffic-law.html 22 http://www.worldtravelguide.net/egypt/local-transport 21

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Cairo had a rich culture of cycling in the first decades of the twentieth century. But this trend was weakened after the 1952 revelation, when modernization became the foundation of Egyptian governmental strategies in several fields like urban design, architecture and transportation. The motor vehicle became the main mode of transportation and the use of bikes was phased out.

While remaining as a hobby, the bicycle was lost as a mode of transportation because many cyclists started to use cars instead of bicycles. Bicycles are not counted among the different transportation modes in Cairo, and the authorities does not consider it in their traffic planning ,and due to the lack of reliable data it is not so obvious how many trips are made by bicycle.

This attitude toward bicycles is stereotyped in the public perception as reserved for lower classes or as a toy for children. However, this picture of bike-free Cairo is misleading; once you travel inside the smaller streets in a residential area a person can witness many bicycles in the streets. Young boys racing with their friends, delivery workers or a man ride to the market. All

this proves that bicycle is still accepted and seen as cheap means of moving around. Bikes are quite ubiquitous in Cairo, but seldom used for commuting. Nearly everyone on a bike is delivering something or out for recreational reasons.

Cairo has two characteristics that make it fertile ground for bicycles as a means for getting around in the city. The first statistic shows that walking represents 36% of the total daily commuting distances23. (Table 1&2) Considering the relatively short walking distances, if we 23

http://www.touregypt.net/cairo/cairostatistics.htm

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replaced those with bicycles we would have saved a lot of effort and time to devote to the different activities of life. Second, with the exception of the ‘Moqattam’ neighborhood, Cairo has a flat surface and is qualified to bicycles’ usage without a lot of effort.

Practical steps to introduce the bike as a mean of transportation No doubt that bike lanes are one of the first important steps which need to be considered, however the problem in Cairo is deeper than that. Although developing bicycle routes and facilities in the central part of Cairo is an important first step, the improvement of the bicycle’s image in the public’s perception should be changed first. Then the bike lane will come as a result of people’s needs. Famous Egyptian singers or actors should lead a bike advertisement campaign to change how people think about bike riders, and introduce the bike as the ideal mean of transportation to create a sustainable city and communities that encourage carbon-free transport.

When the people are ready to use bikes as mean of navigating, the Government role will begin by providing bike lanes to protect the cyclists and by subsidized sale of bicycles to encourage more youth and student to support that project.

The spark has already erupted in the town famous for its choking traffic and high pollution, a small group of cyclists is trying to guide citizens to alternative means of transportation which do not cause harm to the environment. Cycle Egypt Club24 aims to promote cycling and environmental awareness, hoping to make cycling a means of commuting in Cairo.25 Hopefully bikes as a new, alternative and accepted way of commuting will spread from Cairo to other towns and rural area in Egypt.

24 25

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=200560479460 http://www.al-shorfa.com/cocoon/meii/xhtml/ar/features/meii/features/2008/08/18/feature-02

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Successful example of Amsterdam We all know about the importance of cycling for health, but the Dutch believe in that more than anybody else. Amsterdam has 550,000 bicycles and 800,000 people, making the city the bike capital of the world26. Around 40% of its commuting trips are made by bicycle, in addition to a public transportation system consisting of buses, trams and ferries. The city has a healthier, more active lifestyle for its residents. A rapid infrastructure network of safe and fast bicycle routes (400 km of bike lanes27) has been developed

Similarity between Amsterdam and Cairo Amsterdam is a synonymous name for the best bicycle city in the world, but in 1960’s it was faced by the same problem facing Cairo nowadays, traffic congestion. In the middle of this century the difference in population between Cairo and Amsterdam was not as significant as it is now (Figure 6 ). At this time Amsterdam recognized that its roads were too narrow to ensure efficient traffic flows, therefore businesses were moved to the fringes of the city and into the greater Amsterdam region, the bicycle use was to be encouraged and car use discouraged. Then a critical question was asked; should Amsterdam adapt itself to accommodate motorized transportation, or should it consciously avoid doing so? 28 And this was the beginning for Amsterdam’s bicycle revolution. I believe the same question need to be asked in Cairo. Can Cairo handle any more cars? Or is it time to try Amsterdam’s guaranteed solution? Cairo is still

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http://www.virgin-vacations.com/11-most-bike-friendly-cities.aspx http://www.marcgunther.com/2010/06/01/amsterdam-cycling-to-sustainability/ 28 http://www.velomondial.net/velomondiall2000/PDF/LANGENBE.PDF 27

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in the place where Amsterdam was 40 years ago, but if we start now answering this critical question we could catch up the successful procession of sustainable cities

It seems the similarities between the two cities ended in 1978 when Amsterdam opted to conserve the historic value of its centre and to encourage the use of the bicycle and public transport. The Government eased the way for cyclists by constructing a 'Main Bicycle Network', improving and expanding the facilities for cyclists, and the removal of physical obstacles within the cycling infrastructure. And it is not too late for Cairo, now is the time to turn Cairo’s traffic system into sustainable and efficient system based on bicycles

Conclusion Most of the effective solutions started at some point with a dream or idea, and I wish the expression of my ideas in this research paper could be the starting point to solve Cairo’s traffic crisis or at least to understand the size of the problem. For Cairo to be a sustainable city, we need the government to stand up against traffic congestion and consider that the first step towards progress and prosperity. Greater attention needs to be paid to the decision-making process by looking at the problem from different angles and studying the consequences in order to convert Cairo into more livable place.

As a student who has lived and studied in Cairo I conclude this research paper not only by expressing the problems and concerns but also by hoping for far-sighted solutions and master development plans to make Cairo a much more sustainable city with environment based on ecological building principles, prioritizing public transportation, walking and cycling.

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Pictures Year Total built-up area (km2) 1900

42

1950

120

1970

198,2

2000

524,4

First Master Plan in 1970 Target year is 1990 Planning area is 685,000 acres Population is 6.1 million in 1966 Expected 14 million by 1990

Within the last three decades, the total built-up area increased more than 270% Figure 1

Figure 2

Long term development master plan 1983 -Creation of small urban settlements and new satellite cities being connected through development corridors -Dividing the exiting built-up area into 16 homogenous sectors in addition to 10 new urban settlements

Updated Plan 1991 -Population is 13 million in 1993 and expected to be 24 million in 2022 -Combining several new urban settlements into one or more new city or new urban community -Combining new settlements No. 1,3,5 to be New Cairo

Figure 3

Figure 4 Page 15 of20

1970’s

1980’s

1990’s

2000’s

New Cities Figure 5 Page 16 of20

Population growth Figure 6

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Tables Transportation modes Walking Microbus Bus Metro Car Taxi Other Public Transportation Table 1

Percentage 29 36% 18% 12% 11% 13% 4% 6%

Indicator Passenger/km Railways (million) Ton/km (million) Railway length (km) Passenger/km Roads (million) Ton/km (million) Ton/km (million) River transport Million tons Pipeline transport Source: State Information Service (2006).

Table 2

2002–2003 46,185

2003–2004 76,090

38,444* 9,432

4,758 9,467

113,570

115,845

41,450 309 6,489

43,110 2,375 6,680

Table 1 Concentrations of air pollutants in Cairo Concentration (µg/m3) Pollutant Sulfur dioxide (SO2) 40-156 annual mean Particulates 349-857 annual mean Nitrogen oxides (NOx) 90-750 hourly mean Carbon monoxide (CO) 1,000-18,000 hourly mean Lead 0.5-10 annual mean Ozone (O3) 100-200+ hourly maximum Table 3

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U.S. standard (µg/m3) 80 annual mean 75 annual mean 100 annual mean 40,000 1-hour; 10,000 8-hour mean 1.5 quarterly mean 235 hourly maximum

http://www.touregypt.net/cairo/cairostatistics.htm

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Hawken, Paul. The Ecology of Commerce: a Declaration of Sustainability. New York, NY: HarperBusiness, 1993. Print.

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