1 Assessment of government upgrading programmes in informal areas and potential for public participation: Case study Alexandria, Egypt Mohamed A. Abdrabo )*( and Mahmoud A. Hassaan )**( 1 )*( Associate Professor, Department of Environmental studies, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Alexandria mabdarbo@cedare.int )**( Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts (Damanhour Branch), Alexandria University mhassaan@hotmail.com 1 The authors would like to acknowledge the great efforts made by the students of the environmental studies diploma, academic year 2005-6, who carried out the collection of the data and information needed for this study as well as conducted the field work in the study area.