The Green Space Crisis in Cairo: a Public Health and Urban Sustainability Challenge

2026-03-15 - 16:14

Despite its rapid expansion, Cairo faces a critical shortage of public parks and green spaces. Historical trends in the city have prioritized commercial infrastructure, highways, and extensive real estate developments, while the vital role of parks and recreational areas in fostering health and sustainability has been forgotten. Current statistics reveal a stark reality: Cairo possesses only 0.74 square meters of green space per person, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of nine square meters per resident – an amount considered necessary to support basic public health benefits such as physical activity, mental well-being, and environmental quality – with an ideal target closer to 50 square meters per person to maximize these urban health and ecological benefits. The loss of over 2.1 million square meters of green spaces since 2006 shows the urgency of this crisis, particularly when considering public health outcomes. Research has consistently shown that access to parks and greenery has a direct impact on physical health. Why Green Spaces Are So Rare in Cairo Part of the challenge lies in geography and economics. Egypt is a predominantly desert country where maintaining large green spaces requires... This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read.