Manshiet Nasser is a squatter settlement built on government owned land among the low foothills of the Mokattam plateau in the Governorate of Cairo. Lack of secure tenure discourages investment, deepens the sense of insecurity among the residents, and means that the area does not have proper administrative infrastructure. Manshiet Nasser was scheduled to be demolished in 1997. The Programme began operating in Manshiet Nasser in 1998 and, although serious problems persist, Manshiet Nasser is now a dynamic community working towards its future.
The major problems Manshiet Nasser is facing include:
- Difficult access to and through the areaâmassive overhanging limestone cliffs are a constant risk to people and property.
- Lack of basic education is manifested in high illiteracy ratesâthe few schools that do exist are in poor condition with excessively large classes.
- Complete absence of public health services.
- Environmental pollutionâlack of solid waste disposal and industrial pollution lead to health problems.
- Unemployment is highâlack of marketable skills is especially prevalent among young people.
- Child labour is common.
However, Manshiet Nasser has a dynamic economy that includes growing industries in traditional handicrafts and recycling that generate employment. There is a strong sense of solidarity among residents and more than 50 registered NGOs operating within Manshiet Nasser, working in community development, environment, health, and education. In addition, the area lies in close proximity to Cairoâs city centre and the inner ring road, which makes the land potentially valuable for development and access to services and markets easier.
The PDP and Cairo Governorate are securing tenure for the areaâs residents. In 2005, a Notarizations and Authentication Office opened in the districtâthe first of its kind in any illegal settlement in Egypt. A committee facilitates procedures that lead to land titling, collecting necessary information and passing signed applications to the land titling department at the governorate level. The residents of one neighbourhood of Manshiet Nasser have already been invited to apply for land titling; other neighbourhoods will follow soon.
Projects in Manshiet Nasser include:
- Building legal and jurisdictional security for residents through secure tenure with input from the community.
- Widening roads, building or upgrading schools, nurseries, day care facilities, community centres, a health care unit, a post office, and facilities with activities for young people and women.
- Installing and improving infrastructure, including water supply and sewerage for up to 300,000 inhabitants (financed by the KfW development bank)
- Undertaking community activities to build community identity and evoke a spirit of belonging and responsibility, including beautifying and greening projects, youth drama activities, and a rabbit breeding programme.
- Establishing a revolving funds system to provide funds for small start-up loans.
- Providing vocational training and re-training.
In addition, the Programme makes capacity building activities available for NGOs, young people, and nursery teachers.
However, Manshiet Nasser has a dynamic economy that includes growing industries in traditional handicrafts and recycling that generate employment. There is a strong sense of solidarity among residents and more than 50 registered NGOs operating within Manshiet Nasser, working in community development, environment, health, and education. In addition, the area lies in close proximity to Cairoâs city centre and the inner ring road, which makes the land potentially valuable for development and access to services and markets easier.
The PDP and Cairo Governorate are securing tenure for the areaâs residents. In 2005, a Notarizations and Authentication Office opened in the districtâthe first of its kind in any illegal settlement in Egypt. A committee facilitates procedures that lead to land titling, collecting necessary information and passing signed applications to the land titling department at the governorate level. The residents of one neighbourhood of Manshiet Nasser have already been invited to apply for land titling; other neighbourhoods will follow soon.
Projects in Manshiet Nasser include:
- Building legal and jurisdictional security for residents through secure tenure with input from the community.
- Widening roads, building or upgrading schools, nurseries, day care facilities, community centres, a health care unit, a post office, and facilities with activities for young people and women.
- Installing and improving infrastructure, including water supply and sewerage for up to 300,000 inhabitants (financed by the KfW development bank)
- Undertaking community activities to build community identity and evoke a spirit of belonging and responsibility, including beautifying and greening projects, youth drama activities, and a rabbit breeding programme.
- Establishing a revolving funds system to provide funds for small start-up loans.
- Providing vocational training and re-training.
In addition, the Programme makes capacity building activities available for NGOs, young people, and nursery teachers.
