The Potential of GIS Tools in Strategic Urban Planning Process; as an Approach for Sustainable Development in Egypt

During the last 20 years, geographic information systems (GIS) have emerged from the scientific laboratories into the heart of conventional planning practice. During this period, planners have been aggressive adopters and adapters, and strong advocates for local governments deploying GIS. This is true at least in part because GIS provides spatial analysis and manipulation capabilities that align closely with the professional needs of urban and regional planners. GIS technology is currently converging with several other technologies to provide new levels of accessibility and functionality. As GIS use becomes more widespread, planners make up less of the market. The aim of this paper is to study the potential of GIS applications in supporting strategic planning process for effective urban governance in sustainable urban development projects in Egypt, and to interface the complex problems of urbanization, unplanned and negative impacts on the facilities and services and the environment in general in the cities of developing countries.