El-Warraq Island Urban Development: A Nature-Based Strategy for Inclusive Urban and Ecological Development

El-Warraq Island, located in Giza within Greater Cairo, Egypt, is among the largest islands on the Nile. In recent decades, the island has experienced rapid informal urbanization, leading to complex social and ecological challenges. In response, the government introduced the Horus City development proposal, intended to redevelop the island. However, this project has generated controversy, as it threatens to displace long-established communities whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and fishing. Such intervention risks disrupting both the social fabric and ecological sustainability of El-Warraq Island. This thesis proposes an alternative vision grounded in nature-based and regenerative strategies to mitigate the anticipated impacts of displacement from the Horus City proposal. Its main objective is to transform the existing informal settlement into a formally planned, ecologically balanced urban area through interventions that prioritize environmental restoration and social inclusion. Key components include wetland rehabilitation to purify Nile waters—addressing the island’s lack of a sewage system—alongside efforts to enhance biodiversity, establish ecological buffer zones between highways, residential areas, and farmland, and create a linear fruit forest along the Nile that provides inclusive public spaces and environmental benefits. The proposal is based on ecological assessments and an understanding of local social dynamics. Its central aims are to protect the community from displacement, restore ecological balance, and improve accessibility and safety for residents. Rather than promoting demolition and reconstruction, this thesis advocates for upgrading existing systems and infrastructure, demonstrating that sustainable, equitable, and resilient outcomes can be achieved when urban development aligns with ecological preservation, social justice, and regenerative urbanism.