Abstract
The conception of citizenship which accompanied the emergence of the nation-state, promulgated equal rights and duties for all citizens as members of a territorially bounded nation. This principle, as granted by Constitutions, provided the base for normative conceptions of citizenship. However, these ‘abstract’ approaches fall short of capturing the vast social differences engrained in citizenship practices. The chapter explores the notion of differentiated citizenship which provides a more complex understanding of citizenship as a dynamic state-citizen relationship. It focuses on two distinct urban settings in Cairo; an informal area and a neighbouring gated community. The study foregrounds that state practices represented in urban development and planning are constructing distinct communities based on spatial segregation and inequality which constitute different citizenships within the same society. Finally, the chapter highlights the complexity of state–citizens relations in these two urban settings, which cannot simply be reduced to state retreat and citizens’ avoidance.
This chapter is based on research conducted for my master’s thesis; the degree was obtained in 2017.
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Notes
- 1.
Other estimates show that only 40–45% of the population lives in informal areas. Importantly, this percentage relates to the percentage of population, not the rate of urbanisation.
- 2.
For a discussion of the widening gap between governance and citizenship and its contribution to the creation of second-class citizens, see Pardo (2016).
- 3.
A subsidiary of the Holding Company for Construction and Development of the Ministry of Public Business Sector, and it has been responsible for developing Nasr City and later al-Muqatam Mountain.
- 4.
Emaar Misr, meaning Emaar Egypt in Arabic, is a company subsidiary of Emaar Properties, established in 2005 (Ahmed 2007). Emaar Properties is an Emirati company, best known for having developed Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world.
- 5.
Importantly, all attempts to legalise land tenure have so far failed.
- 6.
Taqa Arabia, according to the official website, defines itself as ‘Egypt’s largest private sector energy distribution company’. It is part of Qalaa Holdings, an investment company founded by Ahmed Heikal, the son of a prominent journalist and, later, influential politician.
- 7.
A tuk-tuk is a three-wheel moto rickshaw. It is commonly seen in informal areas and poor neighbourhoods. People use it, often, for short commutes. It cannot be licensed and is not allowed to circulate outside these areas.
- 8.
For a discussion on why citizens opt to transgress state’s rules to access resources, see Pardo and Prato (2016).
- 9.
Aboulghet provided a great support for my research in 2016, he passed away during writing the chapter, may his soul rest in peace.
- 10.
This was complimented by my own participation as a 2016 census officer conducting door-to-door surveys.
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Aly, H. (2021). Unequal Citizens: Between the Gated and the Informal in Cairo. In: Pardo, I., Prato, G. (eds) Urban Inequalities. Palgrave Studies in Urban Anthropology. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51724-3_4
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