Assessing Urban Transformation Opportunities and its Developmental Dimensions in the Nile Basin Countries Using Factor Analysis

The transformative power of urbanization and its role in economic growth and development represents an important issue for research and discussion. The urban system is a composition of dynamically interconnected sub-systems, such as urban economy, social structure, urban ecological system ... etc. Whatever changes in any sub-systems can cause a change in the other sub-systems.
This study aims to provide an analytical database for planners and decision-makers in the Nile Basin countries, which may help in planning and setting appropriate developmental policies to benefit from the positive returns of urbanization and face its challenges. The study is based on using statistical methods (factor analysis). The study reaches the conclusion that there is a discrepancy between the factors affecting the opportunities for urban transformation of the Nile Basin countries. The variation in transformation opportunities in the Nile Basin countries is explained according to the results of the factor analysis through four factors. Nile Basin countries are classified into three types according to the results correlation matrix.
It is clear that despite the urbanization process in the Nile Basin countries, it still lacks a direct linear relationship with development indicators. Thus, Nile Basin countries must unleash the potential of urban growth as the potential benefits of urbanization outweigh its disadvantages. The greatest challenge lies in formulating and implementing mechanisms to exploit the positive returns of urbanization.