PhD defence M.A.M. (Mohamed) Nada

Brief summary of the doctoral thesis:

The aim of this thesis is to assess the factors that affect the implementation of urban expansion policies in the developing world. A theoretical framework was developed using the new institutionalist perspective and draws on key components of the actor-centred institutionalism framework developed by Scharpf (1997) and key elements drawn from the rounds model, the streams model, the multi-level governance framework, and complexity theory. Two Egyptian cities, Banha and Qena, were selected as a case study to explore the implementation of five policy instruments between the years 2007 and 2022, they are: the urban growth boundary, detailed plan, land readjustment, land subdivision, and betterment levy. Implementation of these instruments was assessed as ranging from slightly diverging to fully diverging   as they were situated within complex multi-actor arrangements and their implementation requires the engagement of different state and non-state actors, who reside at different levels. Actors’ capacity and orientations were seen as critical variables affecting policy divergence and they were seen as changing in different time periods because of changes in the institutional setting and the wider policy environment. Clarity of the formal institutions was also viewed as critical and policy divergence was seen as more likely to take place when formal and informal institutions were not complementary each other. Government fragmentation and centralization was noted to limit local government capacity and to hinder horizontal coordination and engagement of various actors. The thesis concludes with several practical insights and recommendations to assist implementation of urban expansion policies in the developing world.