Cairo's Vanishing Green Spaces: A City Under Concrete Siege

Ahmed Belal, a Cairo resident, had to relocate to the suburbs after state-led road construction projects in the city led to the removal of green spaces. The loss has heightened the urban heat island effect, increasing temperatures and social media uproar. Critics argue that these projects exacerbate climate change issues and social inequalities.

Ahmed Belal's Cairo apartment once overlooked a verdant cluster of trees, providing relief from pollution and intense summer heat in the crowded Egyptian capital.

However, a state-driven road expansion project led to most trees being uprooted in Cairo's upscale Mohandeseen district, prompting Belal to move to the suburbs in 2022. "I sold my apartment to find some green areas and peace of mind," said the 39-year-old doctor.

The removal of green spaces has sparked social media outrage, especially as Cairo reached temperatures of 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) this summer, while Aswan hit a near-record 49 C. These projects risk exposing urban populations to more life-threatening heatwaves, emphasizing the need for shaded areas to prevent heat-related illnesses.

(With inputs from agencies.)