29-11-2006, Source: INTA - the International Urban Development Association

Since most of the components of historical cities lay within urban agglomerations, many of these cities suffer from the pressure of demand for land for contemporary uses conflicting with the nature and basic character of Heritage Cities. Urban expansion, lack of proper maintenance of ancient buildings, inadequate utilities and services combined with reduced property value led many heritage cities and historical zones into dereliction and acute social transformations.

The absence of adequate regulation and appropriate governance instruments to deal with heritage and historical zones results into a decline into governmental and public authorities' commitment. The policy instruments are perceived as quite ineffective because lack of coordination and cooperation among the various actors unable to solve conflict and contradiction of interests for the development of Heritage Cities.

To address these issues, the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development in Egypt, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, along with the active cooperation of the Arab Urban Development Institute - AUDI in Saudi Arabia and the International Urban Development Association - INTA in The Netherlands - organises an International Conference on HERITAGE CITIES in Luxor in Egypt from 29th November through 2nd December 2006.

Luxor, Egypt