Abstract

Parallel to the fast growing population, the whole world in general and the developing countries in particular are experiencing an unusual rapid rate of urbanization. Unmanaged urban sprawl is one of the major challenges in the urbanization process. Urban sprawl occurs as an expansion over the limited fertile land and therefore adds more stress to agricultural resources, food security as well as stressing the available infrastructure. This research aims to study and highlight the influences of urban sprawl on the agricultural lands in Egypt with particular emphasis on the fragmented agricultural lands produced by it. The study sheds light on a case study in Giza governorate (Tersa district). The research affirms that urban sprawl has direct and indirect impacts on the various dimensions of the agricultural process in Tersa and in turn influences crop production and food security. Urban sprawl led to losing about 19 percent of Tersa’s fertile agricultural lands between 2007 and 2017. Farmers of the remaining agricultural lands face many challenges in traditional farming practices. Crop type has totally changed as a result of polluted irrigation water and other practices of the surrounding urban residents. Accordingly, the remaining agricultural lands are losing its soil fertility. The study is investigating the impact of the urban sprawl in Tersa district on agricultural resources over a ten years period between 2007 and 2017. It attempts to answer the research questions through integrating remote sensing data and primary data obtained from conducted social study in four areas within Tersa. In addition, irrigation water samples were collected and analyzed to evaluate irrigation water quality which is considered a major dimension influencing the changes of crop production.

Degree Name

MS in Sustainable Development

Graduation Date

2-1-2019

Submission Date

January 2019

First Advisor

Sewilam, Hani

Committee Member 1

Khadr, Zeinab

Extent

127 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.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

Comments

In the first place, I am very grateful to Allah for all his blessings, countless gifts and providing my life with many opportunities and special people without whom this journey wouldn’t have been possible. I am eternally indebted to my soulmate, best friend and life partner Abdullah for his unlimited love, respect, for believing in me and supporting my career development. I would love to dedicate this thesis and my life achievements particularly to my mother Nadia Hassaan, my father and my brother for their unconditional love, immeasurable support and efforts. To my little Asya, I hope you always dream big and work hard to make your dreams come true. I would like to thank Al-Alfi foundation for their generous opportunity of granting my master degree studies. Your financial support helped me to study what I have been always passionate about. I would like to express my sincere grateful to my supervisors Prof. Dr. Hani Sewilam and Dr. Zeinab Khadr for their endless support, motivation, and immense knowledge. Their guidance and professional advice were my compass throughout my research journey. I would also like to thank Mohamed Khaled- the secretary and coordinator for Sustainable Development Program for his continuous support. An additional gratitude goes to the team of Center of Sustainable Development. Many thanks to Fahad, Randa and all my classmates in the Sustainable Development Program for their constant support whenever needed. In addition, I am very grateful to Dr. Mohammed Embaby’s generous help in obtaining the remote sensing data. I am sincerely grateful to Hossny Ismail for his guidance and academic support from the first step of admitting to this master program. I would also like to express my gratitude to Mahmoud Sarhan for his frequent help, support and insightful advice whenever needed. I am also thankful to Mohamed Sarhan and Rania Hazem’s help throughout the Egyptian Law. In addition to Mohamed Salah, Sundus El-Gallad, Hend Mahmoud and Sherine El-Geziry for supporting my research and thesis work. My deepest thanks and gratitude to my friends Alaa, Esraa, Menna, Reem and Soha for their permanent support, love, continuous prayers and having faith in me; I can’t be more lucky for having them in my life. All my love to my sister Lobna for all her love, support and contributing to my personal and educational development; you have been the best companion throughout this development journey.

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