The General Organization for Physical Planning (GOPP), which was established in 1981, shows Egypt divided into seven regional units for physical planning purposes (urban planning, the founding of new towns, new cities and such). The government body works on aspects of urban planning, and land use in consideration of the economic conditions of regional units. However, it was believed that planning based on these units was unrealistic thus decentralization efforts were put in place. Each governorate has a General Administration of Planning and Urban Development (GAPUD) government body, in order to decentralize the functions of the GOPP.
Regional units and map
Map of Egypt’s regional units for physical planning purposes.
There are seven regional units, containing the following governorates. In 2014, plans were discussed to expand the seven to eleven but it didn’t happen.
- Greater Cairo Region
- Cairo Governorate – Giza Governorate – Qalyubia Governorate
- Alexandria Region
- Alexandria Governorate – Beheira Governorate – Matruh Governorate
- Delta Region
- Damietta Governorate – Monufia Governorate – Gharbia Governorate – Kafr El Sheikh Governorate – Dakahlia Governorate
- Suez Canal Region
- Sharqia Governorate – Port Said Governorate – Ismailia Governorate – Suez Governorate – North Sinai Governorate – South Sinai Governorate
- North Upper Egypt Region
- Minya Governorate – Beni Suef Governorate – Faiyum Governorate
- Central Upper Egypt Region
- Asyut Governorate – New Valley Governorate
- Southern Upper Egypt Region
- Sohag Governorate – Qena Governorate – Luxor Governorate – Aswan Governorate – Red Sea Governorate