Criteria for Flood Mitigation in Egypt Through Sponge City Mechanisms

The Arab Republic of Egypt faces significant challenges with flash floods, which heavily impact infrastructure and local communities, especially in rural and mountainous regions such as Upper Egypt and Sinai. This problem is exacerbated by several factors, including weak drainage systems, the absence of sustainable urban planning, and increasing climate change effects that result in more frequent and severe floods. Egyptian cities lack integrated solutions for managing stormwater and floods, making the search for innovative and sustainable alternatives an urgent necessity.The study examines the current state of flood management in Egypt, including analyzing deficiencies such as weak infrastructure, lack of coordination between relevant authorities, and the absence of early warning systems. It also reviews global experiences in implementing sponge cities, focusing on practices such as green spaces, permeable materials, and smart drainage systems. Based on this analysis, the research proposes a practical model for developing Egyptian cities by integrating sponge city principles with traditional infrastructure.