Ismailiyyah Development Project

Isma'iliya, Egypt

This project represents a critically important departure in the development of low-income housing in Egypt. It has channelled public housing subsidies toward local initiative and self-help. The effort involves the upgrading and extension of two existing settlements, Hai el-Salaam to the north of the city of Ismaïliyya, and Abu Atwa to the south. The initial phase required government donation of the settlement land to the project. A grant of 100'000 Pounds Sterling from the British government provided the initial capital. Later revenue to the housing agency amounted to almost 3'500'000 Egyptian pounds. This has been used for infrastructure and loans to the low-income inhabitants for purchase of their plots. The process is intended to be self-sustaining from land sales revenue. By 1986, 90'000 people had been housed in the two settlements. All have achieved the security of titled ownership.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture