| Summary: | This research presents a methodology that was developed to define a set of variables and indicators to assess the sustainability performances of informal areas. It aims at demonstrating a conceptual framework of an invented urban sustainability rating system referred to as the ‘Compass of informal areas development’. It is a graphical policymaking instrument through which urban planners and policymakers can quickly diagnose the sustainability performance of informal areas and formulate strategies to deal with it accordingly. The Compass tool integrates the quality-of-life parameters, such as housing adequacy as well as social and economic welfare, with the place value assets in a cohesive rating interface.The research is conducted using a blended methodology that includes a collective literature review on defining rating systems for assessing the sustainability performance of informal areas. Assessment variables and indicators are explained by engaging a number of stakeholders in participatory interactive planning sessions. Consequently, a ‘compass’ rating tool has been developed, in a graphical interface, and applied in assessing different categories of informal areas in the Greater Cairo Region in Egypt. Several development policies and interference strategies have been formulated through synergistic discussions.The findings of the research have shown that applying the developed compass rating tool to diagnose some informal areas has entailed a comprehensive picture and clear interpretation of the performance of the selected areas. It has concluded that the amalgamation of the quality-of-life variables with the indicators of the place values would lead to delineating the performance of the informal areas in question. This is imperative for setting up prompt formulation for the area’s development strategy. It is worth mentioning here that the rating indicators comprising the Compass need subsequent research to be validated and, therefore, applied to other geographical and social contexts.
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