On April 16th, 2013, the BA signed a memorandum of understanding with the French Development Agency (FDA) after they approached the BA to jointly prepare an international conference for the development of Alexandria funded by the FDA. Consequently, the Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center (Alex Med) has proposed number of development projects that vary in type and nature yet coincide to the notion of promoting Alexandria’s economy and upgrading its built environment as a step in the revival of the city’s vital role and the easing Alexandrians’ living conditions. Through a seed fund provided by the FDA, preliminary studies for 10 development projects were prepared. Alex Med developed 3 of them and managed/monitored the remaining 7 which were prepared by other external consultants from the Departments of Architecture in different Alexandrian universities.

The studies were discussed in an international workshop at the BA’s Conference Center on May 18th, 2014 with a team of experts in the field, for criticism and revision. The projects are to be published and presented in an international conference, where local and international donors and finance institutions together with stakeholders would be invited to share their interest and cooperation in the development of the city.

These proposed projects are classified as follows:

A. Urban Development
1- Eastern Harbor Dev.
2- New Housing Satellite Districts
3- Upgrading of Fishermen Village

B. Transportation
1- Rapid Bus Transit Line to Borg el Arab

C. Historical Preservation
1- Conservation and Rehabilitation of City Center
2- Upgrading of Minett el Bassal Area and Kafr Ashry Area

D. Environmental Protection & Dev. Mahmoudieh Canal Dev.
1- Airport Lake Dev.
2- Street Vendors – City Center

E. Institutional Reform & Dev. Agencies
1- Alexandria Development Agency (ADA)

Throughout the duration of the project, each consultant reported to the BA and to the International Urban Development Association (“INTA”) which was appointed by the FDA. Dr. Mohamed Awad, BA Consultant, was the director and team leader for the whole project and Mr. Michel Sudarskis, INTA Secretary General, represented the INTA. Both provided valuable guidance to the whole team by sharing their expertise. They also evaluated the work done by the design team with the assistance of Prof. Dr. Mohsen Bayad, Prof. Dr. Hassan Abdel Salam and Dr. Aisha el Kholi who supervised the work on regular bases.

Many thanks go to Dr. Ismail Serageldin, BA Director, and Mr. Dov Zerah, former FDA Director General, for their interest and support. Special thanks to Dr. Awad and Mr. Sudarskis for their management and professional expertise, and to the BA team, Dr. Sahar Hamouda and Eng. Mohamed Mehaina, Mr. Jean-Pierre Marcelli and Mr. Ahmed Badr from the FDA, for their extensive and efficient coordination. Last and not least, thanks to Mrs. Dominique Waag (Consul-General of France) for her interest and assistance in bringing FDA contribution to the project.