Table (12) decision checklist table for part 2 proposed system (developed by author

4.6 Decision map

The decision map contributestomaking a structured list of the chosen off-grid system. The objective of PART 3 is to introduce the initial building components to gather for building the off-grid structure. Every component in this list have various building alternatives that can replace the selected once, but an important note that any changes or replacements can affect the overall off-grid operation.

Table (12) decision checklist table for part 2 proposed system (developed by the author)

5. Part (4): codes and permits

Building codes and lending institutions control the type of housing that is available or possible. This is because building permits and financing must be obtained before building. Many new or different concepts must be rigorously tested, as officials are not being paid to take chances on new ideas. They are being paid to enforce existing dogma. Consequently, they appear to go through the current books without regard to environmental or human issues. This section covers the initial permits and regulations that may be an obstacle during offgrid operations in Egypt

Guide # 13 Regulations in remote areas in Egypt

Since the off-grid living does not need electricity, well water, or sewers for construction or operation, remote land (which is far less expensive) is always an option. Remote land always has fewer restrictions. So the best option is to choose a remote land that the off-grid concept allows there will be an easier time with building officials. In some cases, there will not be the need to encounter them at all furthermore that is and what will be happening in the New valley governate in Egypt.

New valley population attraction project:

The New Valley Governorate has a Population Village Attraction project, in coordination with the supervision of the Council of Ministers and Local Development and in cooperation with a distinguished company in the field of land reclamation and cultivation, to support the implementation of a project to reclaim an area of 10 thousand acres in the villages of the New Valley.

Below are the 10 most important information about the project:

• The land areas designated for the project are located in distinct areas in the villages of the New

Valley Governorate. • The lands are distributed according to the usufruct system with the intent to acquire ownership afterward.

• The lands designated for the project are ready for reclamation and cultivation. • Operating the project with a solar energy system, developed irrigation, and cultivating the finest types of crops. • Projects of rural houses attached to agricultural lands are being implemented to accommodate families in them for free.

• The project relies on distributing land to young people from the densely populated Upper Egypt and Delta governorates to reconstruct the lands of the New Valley and reduce the population pressure in the Nile Valley governorates.

Wells digging permits

The groundwater sector of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has set 10 conditions that can be found in their website for obtaining a license to drill groundwater well to irrigate "fall" or "farm" lands within the reins of the valley and the delta, for 3 years, to be issued after the presentation to the Supreme Licensing Committee.

Figure (127) well permit application ( PSM,2019)

6. Chapter Conclusion

All things considered, The objective of this chapter is to provide the initial building design components of Off-grid housing and the division of the guidelines into parts is to focus on each step through the off-grid living process. The parts are divided according to the hierarchal steps of going off-grid living from a step of considering the design process. It is important to note also that initial to go through all the guidelines to live a successful off-grid lifestyle. Living efficiently and economically is also a from the techniques of living offgrid and that is the purpose of each part in this chapter, is that one can settle by one part or all the parts as preferences as a way of employing some of the concepts presented in the design guidelines.

The following points are the summary of the chapter parts according to their design guidelines objectives:

• Part 1: Off-grid living consideration

This part covers the initial things to consider in the decision-making process of living off-grid, the importance of financial security, electricity dependence adjustments, health care, and so on. This is an important part to read to eliminate any unpredicted problems in the Off-Grid living process • Part 2: Off-grid living pre-steps Part 2 is an extension of part 2 but with physical steps before gathering the off-grid system component, the part covers the simple but yet important process of living off-grid which is buying the right land with the right resources, ensuring the capability of the land to produce food and water. This part is initial because according to its success it will determine if the land is capable of operating the off-grid system in the long run. • Part 3: Off-grid system components This part introduces the effective components of building a full off-grid system that can work anywhere in Egypt and even in the most densely populated areas. But it's important to note that the objective of the guidelines is to relieve pressure from the exciting cities in Egypt and colonize the Egyptian unpopulated areas. So the system selected was chosen according to the techniques covered form the case studies and modified to ensure compatibility for the Egyptian environment and contexts. It's important to note every system component has its alternatives but any changes can impact the effectiveness of the whole introduced system. • Part 4: codes and permits Codes and building permits in Egypt have a standard process that only takes a month and a year after building. But considering that the system introduced is different form any house system in Egypt. An obstacle that could be mt during the process will be is the paper's requirements for digging wells and building in certain places that could have different restrictions than others. This part covers the solutions and considerations during acquiring the papers for building an off-grid home.

Chapter (6): Conclusion and Recommendations

1. Chapter introduction

This thesis aimed to develop an effective design guideline for off-grid housing that would be compatible with Egypt’s Environment and overpopulation patterns. Based on the exploratory qualitative analysis of exploring off-grid housing possibilities in Egypt and investigation of the overpopulation dilemma in Egypt, it can be concluded overpopulation is negatively affecting Egypt's housing system and off-grid housing can relieve pressure from the government efforts to maintain the operation of the existing housing system. This chapter includes conclusions as related to the literature on overpopulation and off-grid housing. Also included is a discussion about the case study's contribution to developing the design guidelines and on the connections of the research methods to the thesis data collection and analysis. The chapter concludes with the recommendation of the limitations of the study, areas for future research, and a brief reflection on the thesis.

2. Exploratory qualitative methods

Exploratory research methods Were used in the thesis to explore the issue of overpopulation. It’s important to note that it doesn’t produce definitive results, as it is used to answer questions like what, why, and how.

Figure (128) diagram showing the exploratory qualitative methods used in the dissertation ( developed by the author)

2.1 Exploratory research: Summary of Steps followed

• Identify the problem: After identifying the under-researched problem of overpopulation in Egypt, it has been established that overpopulation is an under-researched problem in Egypt and isIaddressed by carrying outImultiple methods toIanswer the thesis question through further research.

• Further research: Once the data is obtained, the thesis is continued through a descriptive investigation on overpopulation impact on the Egypt housing system and exploration off-grid housing system solutions. Qualitative methodsIare used toIfurther studyIthe subject topicin detail and findIout a different solution for this subject, the qualitative methods used was through:

1. Data collection

Literature review, case studies, and semi-structured interview

2. Data analysis

Thematic analysis of interviews and comparative analysis of the case studies

2.1.1 Contribution of Exploratory research.

• It helps lay theIfoundation of research, which canIlead to furtherIresearch.

• It enables the researcherIto understand atIan early stage, if theItopic is worth investing theItime and

resourcesIand if it is worthIpursuing.

• It can assist otherIresearchers to find out possibleIcauses for theIproblem

2.1.2 Limitation of Exploratory research

• The mainIdisadvantage of exploratoryIresearch is that they provideIqualitative data. Interpretation

of suchIinformation can beIjudgmental.

• ManyIa time, if the data is being collectedIthrough secondaryIresearch, then there is a chanceIof that

dataIbeing old and is notIupdated