Socio-environmental impact of Cairo Metro line 2

Abstract

The impact of metro projects cutting through densely populated metropolises in developing countries on local communities and inhabitants is investigated. Cairo Metro line 2 is used as a case study. The Egyptian capital is a populous metropolis and the only African and Arab city to operate a fully fledged metro system. This paper aims to determine the socio-environmental impact of the Cairo Metro project and to identify measures to mitigate this impact. Face-to-face structured interviews were conducted with local people living and working close to the project and semi-structured interviews were conducted with a senior official from the client organisation and a senior manager from the contractor organisation. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the interviews gives insight into the actual socio-environmental impact of the project on those living and working close by, including loss of business and fear for the structural safety of homes. The analysis also reveals some locally conceived ideas to mitigate this impact and a need to engage with local authorities and decision makers.