Management of Waterlogging Problem for Sustainable Land Development in Urban Areas: An Example from the North-East Cairo Region, Egypt

Abstract

Rapid urbanization across the globe, including in Egypt, is placing considerable pressure on sustainable development due to extensive land use transformations. In response, Egypt has undertaken numerous initiatives aimed at mitigating these challenges and advancing its national sustainability agenda. In the Northeast Cairo Region (NECR), particularly in El-Obour City, unregulated urban extension has triggered a cascade of hydro-environmental issues. Chief among these are waterlogging, soil salinization, and land degradation, all of which pose significant risks to urban infrastructure, housing stability, and environmental integrity. These issues are symptomatic of the broader environmental impacts of urbanization in arid and semi-arid regions, where delicate hydrological balances are easily disturbed. This study aims to investigate the root causes of waterlogging in El-Obour City, where its effects are increasingly threatening residential areas and public infrastructure. To achieve this, a multidisciplinary methodology was adopted, incorporating remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and hydrological modeling. These tools were employed to delineate the most vulnerable zones and assess contributing environmental and anthropogenic factors. In addition, an integrated geospatial database was constructed, incorporating multiple thematic layers, including geomorphology, lithology, structural geology, hydrogeology, soil characteristics, and depth to the confining clay layer. The incorporated analyses revealed that the region is underlain by a duplex soil system characterized by a fine-textured horizon overlaying a coarser substrate, which enhances water retention and impedes vertical drainage. Additionally, the problem is intensified by water leakage from irrigation systems, which contributes to the formation of surface water bodies such as ponds and wetlands. The topographic heterogeneity and variation in soil texture further amplify water accumulation in depression zones. These findings highlight the complex interaction between natural terrain features and human-induced factors in creating and sustaining waterlogging conditions. The study identified specific low-lying zones in central El-Obour City as critical hotspots for waterlogging risk. To mitigate this issue sustainably, the implementation of a subsurface tile drainage system is recommended. This drainage solution would enhance water removal efficiency, improve soil aeration, minimize damage to infrastructure, and contribute to the long-term resilience and sustainability of the urban environment.