Abstract

Despite the turmoil and instability triggered by the Egyptian Revolution in 2011, the real estate market has remained relatively stable. According to the Ministry of Investment, real estate has witnessed a noticeable growth “despite political instability” , and government figures show that the real estate sector has become the second largest sector in receipt of public and private investments beginning from the financial year (FY) of 2010/2011, with 14% of total investments, a figure that grew by FY of 2011/2012 to reach 16.3% . For the following financial years, albeit slowing down in pace, real estate continued to be the second largest sector to receive investments . The research investigates the pursuit of financial security through property and land ownership in Egypt, and how it serves as a paradoxical representation of Egyptians’ insecurities and fears reflecting the precarious nature of their lives, specifically through looking at how housing as a social project has become commodified through the real estate business. This thesis looks at the economic and political factors which led to the financialization of people’s lives and in turn the dismantling of housing as a social project. What thus becomes the role of the state in producing speculation as an aspiration of citizens particularly the professional middle class? I seek to explore the question of how this relates to different aspects of social and economic rights. Studying the real estate industry and the actors involved and understanding its everyday politics will allow me to understand the economy of speculation which has come to govern and shape our lives and imaginations, driving urban Cairo to become transformed into a market. Looking at the practice of “investing in housing” allows me to see the cultural manifestations of economic and political phenomenon which gave way to the financialization of people’ lives in the everyday lives of people.

Department

Middle East Studies Center

Degree Name

MA in Middle East Studies

Graduation Date

2-1-2017

Submission Date

April 2018

First Advisor

Rieker, Martina

Committee Member 1

Sabae, Hanan

Committee Member 2

Wahdan, Dalia

Extent

91 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy. The author has granted the American University in Cairo or its agents a non-exclusive license to archive this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study, and to make it accessible, in whole or in part, in all forms of media, now or hereafter known.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

Download

Share

COinS