Since the seventies of the last century, debate over "Development
Corridor" project, proposed by famed Egyptian geologist Dr. Farouk El-
Baz, is mounting. Such debate has gained more momentum since the 25th
of January Revolution in Egypt and reached the extent of proposing to start
the financing phase through registering the project in the stock market.
However, and because of the huge investments required for this project in
this crucial stage that Egypt is going through, and in the light of the fact
that many of similar projects implemented in Toshka, Abu-Tatur, East
Owianat, have failed to achieve their development objectives, it is
necessary to deeply and thoroughly examine the nature, objectives,
feasibility, and the ability to implement his huge project.
This paper has two main objectives: first, is to present a subjective critique
analysis for the project; second, is to find out rational answers for most of
its drawbacks. In reaching its first objective, the paper presents in Part 2 a
discussion of the points of agreement the paper shares with the project
idea. In Part 3, the paper presents a critique analysis for the planning
concept of the project regarding its idea, objectives, and components. In
this regard, the research discusses the strategic impacts of the project and
then examines its adherence to basic planning principles such as:
rationality, balance between costs and rewards, and development
priorities. Through these two parts, the paper comes to an important
conclusion that the project in its current formulation does not abide to
some necessary planning principles which makes it loses its rationality and
feasibility for the country, especially in its delicate socio-economic and
political conditions. In reaching its second objective, the paper proposes in
Part 4 a modified planning concept for the project so as to overcome most
of its drawbacks.