The Egyptian Cabinet approved during a virtual meeting on Monday under Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly a new set of planning and construction rules and requirements in cities.

Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities Assem El-Gazzar attended the meeting, while a host of other ministers and members of the Supreme Council for Planning and Urban Development (SCPUD) took part in the meeting via video conference.

Briefing the premier on the new rules and requirements, Gazzar revealed that construction and urban development activities are to be resumed according to the urban development legislation in place until a new technical and legal framework is developed as part of an integrated digital system.

He added that a joint committee including members of the local development and housing ministries will be formed to respond to inquiries about the application of the new rules.

The new rules stipulate that all the planning and construction requirements specified in Article 4 of Egypt's Building Law 119/2008 shall be observed, including building height restrictions, the minister pointed out.

He added that any regulations adopted for preserving high value areas, as prescribed by the National Organization for Urban Harmony and approved by the SCPUD, shall also be observed.

The new laws and requirements will not apply to national projects, or the lands that fall within the jurisdiction of the New Urban Communities Authority, the minister noted.