Located in the northern part of Africa, Egypt - officially known as the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a lower middle-income economy. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s economic growth was fast improving with most of its buoyancy being linked to its 2016 reforms[1]. Egypt’s current inhabited land represents about 7 per cent of its about one million square kilometres total land area. Since 2018, the country continues to establish more than 20 fourth-generation cities, in line with its vision that seeks to satisfy the growing population’s need for sustainable cities, and offer housing, investment and job opportunities. Its utilized land for the new cities stands at 7.5 per cent of the total land area. This is expected to raise its total inhabited area to 14.5 per cent once the cities are established.

Increasing levels of pollution and waste in many parts of the Egyptian society pose a considerable threat to its economy, environment, and human health and wellbeing. The twin challenges are mainly attributed to its rapidly expanding urbanisation and human populations, coupled with shifting patterns of consumption and production[35].