Diwan Alomran works on studying and analyzing urban development processes from an integrated perspective that takes into account social, economic, and environmental dimensions, with the aim of achieving sustainable and equitable urban growth. The Diwan’s vision is rooted in the understanding that the urban realm is not merely a physical space, but a dynamic system that reflects the social, economic, and political interactions within communities. Accordingly, the Diwan develops policies and strategies that promote sound urban governance, safeguard individuals’ rights to adequate housing, equitable development, and social inclusion, while protecting the urban fabric from unplanned or ill-considered interventions.

In this context, the Diwan seeks to influence decision-makers and public policy to ensure that urban development decisions are:

• Rights-conscious, formulated in line with the principles of justice and sustainability, and grounded in respect for fundamental rights and freedoms that must not be infringed. This includes taking all necessary measures to guarantee them, encompassing the right to adequate housing, the preservation of urban heritage, and the maintenance of ecological balance.

• Inclusive of all members of society without discrimination, responding to the needs of marginalized groups and vulnerable minorities, and ensuring protection against forced eviction and social exclusion, while adopting participatory approaches in planning and implementing urban projects.

• Accountable to society, through adherence to relevant international treaties and domestic laws, ensuring transparency and access to data and information, and strengthening the role of civil society in monitoring urban development policies.

Diwan Alomran aims to rethink urbanization pathways through a holistic lens, balancing economic growth, the preservation of social fabric, environmental protection, and the safeguarding of residents’ rights in the city. This approach is anchored in achieving sustainable urban development that considers both environmental and social dimensions, ensuring that urban growth does not come at the expense of local communities or fragile ecosystems.

In this vein, the Diwan works to advance policies that respect the right to the city, including ensuring adequate housing, providing basic services, enabling access to public spaces, and preventing practices that lead to forced eviction or social exclusion. It also supports the adoption of urban practices that preserve natural resources, reduce environmental footprints, and employ flexible solutions capable of adapting to climate change.

Through this approach, Diwan Alomran contributes to building balanced urban environments that achieve social justice, ensure the participation of residents in shaping the future of their cities, and safeguard natural resources for future generations.

Diwan Alomran – Core Values

Protection
Diwan Alomran places particular emphasis on safeguarding the urban fabric and protecting residents’ rights, stemming from its commitment to preserving urban identity and ensuring the rights of individuals affected by urban development. The organization works to adopt policies that shield communities from unjust urban threats and promote the sustainability of cities. It also seeks to raise public awareness on the importance of preserving urban heritage and protecting residents’ rights in the face of changes that may threaten their stability.

Transparency
Diwan Alomran believes in the importance of open access to information and promoting transparency in urban planning processes and decision-making. It strives to empower the public to access urban policies and decisions that impact their lives, ensuring their active participation in shaping the future of their cities. Knowledge is viewed as the primary tool for enabling individuals to defend their rights and ensuring that sustainable development is pursued in a fair and equitable manner.

Accountability
The organization works to strengthen accountability by advocating for improved decision-making mechanisms and ensuring that officials are held responsible for urban and development policies. It seeks to entrench the principle of accountability to ensure that projects and policies are implemented in line with standards of justice and sustainability. Accountability plays a vital role in improving the quality of urban planning and ensuring that projects serve the interests of society as a whole.

Justice
Diwan Alomran’s work is rooted in achieving social and spatial justice, particularly regarding the right to adequate housing. It strives to ensure that all communities can live in dignity within equitable urban environments, free from discrimination or marginalization. The organization also supports housing policies that address the needs of marginalized groups and guarantee the fair distribution of urban resources and services.

Human Rights
Human rights lie at the heart of Diwan Alomran’s mission, especially in confronting forced eviction and violations related to the right to adequate housing. The organization affirms that urban development cannot be sustainable without respecting the fundamental rights of residents and ensuring their access to a dignified and secure life. It works to raise awareness of residents’ rights and advocates for policies that provide fair and humane urban environments.

Objectives of Transparency and Accountability Initiatives

• Ensuring Access to and Freedom of Information
  Transparency initiatives aim to provide open access to information, enabling the public to obtain data related to urban development and government policies freely, thereby enhancing community participation in decision-making.

• Improving Decision-Making Processes
  Accountability initiatives aim to press for improved governance by holding officials accountable. This ensures that urban-related decisions are well-informed and responsive to the interests of all stakeholders, including citizens and civil society.

• Empowering Public Oversight
  Accountability is directly linked to the right to hold officials answerable for their actions. The goal is to establish mechanisms that enable citizens and organizations to hold decision-makers accountable for urban policies and their societal impacts.

• Promoting Equitable Development Policies
  Through its advocacy work, Diwan Alomran seeks to foster transparency and accountability, pushing decision-makers to adopt fairer development policies that uphold the rights of individuals, marginalized groups, minorities, and vulnerable populations, while promoting good governance in urban development.

• Empowering Stakeholders
  The organization aims to enable the public and stakeholders to engage in effective oversight and participation in urban affairs, affirming residents’ right to self-determination and involvement in shaping their communities, while ensuring fair and informed decision-making by authorities.

Areas of Work

Monitoring and Documenting Forced Evictions
Diwan Alomran closely monitors and documents forced eviction cases, recognizing their detrimental impacts on the right to life and their violation of international instruments safeguarding the right to adequate housing. It relies on field monitoring, official data, and citizen complaints to track these incidents, aiming to highlight the urgent need to protect residents’ rights against increasing urban pressures.

Providing Geographic and Administrative Context for Violations
The organization prioritizes delivering precise geographic and administrative context for areas affected by forced evictions. This helps in understanding the impact on local communities and in offering a clear picture of urban challenges in each location. Such contextualization strengthens analysis and supports the identification of policies and decisions directly affecting residents and communities.

Analyzing Urban Issues
Using a critical analytical approach, Diwan Alomran examines various aspects of urbanism in Egypt, aiming to enhance public understanding of how these issues affect communities, while expanding research resources for specialists and those interested in urban affairs. Analyses include critiques of urban development projects and their impacts on historic and cultural landmarks, as well as addressing the degradation of public squares and threats to urban identity.

Expanding Public Engagement
The organization employs an accessible analytical approach targeting non-academic audiences to broaden interest in urban issues and simplify specialized information. This ensures people from diverse backgrounds can understand how urban changes affect their daily lives.

Tools to Achieve Goals

• Forced Eviction Observatory
  Diwan Alomran has created a geographic map documenting areas of forced eviction to facilitate public research. The map is based on reliable data from both official sources and field documentation, serving as a visual tool to understand the nature and impact of evictions on communities.

• News
  The news section covers information related to urban development projects, housing initiatives, and forced eviction cases. It serves as an accurate, updated information source that fosters public awareness and stimulates community debate on urban issues.

• Analyses
  The organization provides in-depth analyses of political, social, and economic factors influencing urban planning, aiming to highlight urban issues from a comprehensive perspective and enabling decision-makers and stakeholders to address them effectively.

• Multimedia
  Diwan Alomran uses multimedia as a primary means of communicating and analyzing urban issues more interactively and clearly. This includes photographs, videos, infographics, and interactive maps to spotlight key urban challenges and developments.

• Campaigns and Advocacy
  Recognizing the crucial role of social media, Diwan Alomran organizes media campaigns to raise public awareness and engage citizens in defending urban rights and the right to the city.

• Mailing List
  The organization maintains a monthly mailing list to share updated reports, analyses, and campaign news. This aims to engage the public and stakeholders in discussing pressing urban issues and supporting efforts toward urban justice and the right to the city.