The impact of foreign technical assistance on urban development projects in Egypt

Linking macro level political economy perspectives with micro level project-based analysis, the paper examines the impact of foreign technical assistance on urban sector projects in Egypt. The paper demonstrates how large aid flows into this sector, following Egyptʹs Western orientation after 1973, failed to achieve intended results. Three case studies, focusing on community development and participation objectives, reveal limitations in the following areas: project formulation; the ambiguous political rationale for participation; the difficulties in comprehending new concepts; the desire for short-term project visibility; conceptualisation of models of participation; institution building. The paper argues that the failure of the pragmatic managerialist approach adopted in Egypt, and the conflicts in programme design and delivery can only be understood using the macro-micro methodology. The lessons learned for future urban sector projects and programmes are highlighted.