Towards green evolution in urban Egypt: assessing Al Rehab City through LEED-ND and BREEAM-communities frameworks

Abstract This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the application of green neighborhood rating systems, specifically Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) and Building Research Foundation Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)-Communities, in the context of Cairo, Egypt, focusing on Al Rehab City, a prominent urban area in New Cairo. The study begins by providing a background on Al-Rehab City, explaining its strategic planning, urban design, and demographic dynamics. It then delves into the current state of sustainable urban planning in Egypt, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that exist in this rapidly urbanizing context. The core of the article includes a comparative analysis of LEED-ND and BREEAM communities, assessing their adaptability and relevance to the Egyptian urban landscape, especially Al Rehab City. It explores many sustainability issues such as smart location, neighborhood pattern and design, green infrastructure, sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and community engagement. The discussion extends to examine how each of these aspects of sustainability applies to Al Rehab City, complemented by case studies and examples of current sustainable practices in Cairo. Furthermore, the article identifies specific local challenges in implementing these assessment systems, such as economic constraints, policy constraints, and cultural factors. It also suggests opportunities for improvement, including the potential for public–private partnerships, policy reforms, community engagement, technological innovation, and sustainable urban development modeling. In conclusion, the article provides insight into the future prospects of green urban planning in Cairo. The potential impact of adopting comprehensive assessment systems is discussed, with an emphasis on the role of Al Rehab City as a potential model for sustainable urban development in Egypt and the wider MENA region. The article aims to contribute to the discourse on sustainable urban planning, and provide a roadmap for integrating global sustainability standards into the unique context of Egyptian cities.