AN ANALYSIS OF THE URBAN SYSTEM OF THE NILE VALLEY IN EGYPT

Because of the rapid and acute socio-economic and urban changes that took place in the Nile
Valley in Egypt during the last two centuries, it becomes necessary to define the main
characteristics of the urban system in the region. In doing so, this paper starts by examining
changes in the urban weight of the Nile Valley to the national total during the last sixty years.
Then, the paper analyzes changes in size and spatial distribution of cities during that period. In
the size analysis, the paper examined changes in cities' size and growth rates; as well as sizerank
distribution and urban primacy during the last sixty years. In the spatial analysis, the paper
examined patterns of spatial distribution of cities and the size-distance relationship, as well as
the field of influence of each city. Through these stages, the paper has come to some conclusions
and recommendations that could help in managing the urban future in the Nile Valley.