Alexandria: Development Challenges of a Coastal Second City

any Mediterranean cities entered the new millennium facing challenges due to the changing needs of urban demographics and housing demand, the requirements of industrial and commercial activities, and the technological innovations of the new century. Added to these challenges are those brought about by globalisation. The impact of globalisation on cities has been as vast as it has been varied. The liberalisation of trade and the free flow of capital have in global terms put cities rather than nations at the forefront of economic competition (DPU, 2002). We see cities from the same countries competing with each other, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The problem is whether cities can identify problems accurately and then set priorities wisely. Another issue is who sets these priorities and who takes decisions, especially if such cities are second cities.