New Minia City is one of 16 new towns established in the desert away from the population concentrations in Cairo and Alexandria. These new towns were established to accommodate a housing shortage approaching one million units and to curtail building expansion in the delta. The new developments help maintain gains in agricultural reclamation in the desert. To assess the numerous environmental problems threatening the new urban developments, a GIS approach was used in this study. Eight thematic maps including land use/cover, soil types, karst distribution, fracture density, slope, stream ordering, roads, and administrative boundaries were employed as the primary data maps. The GIS was used to evaluate site risk urban development suitability and land use potential. From these a site risk index and an urban development suitability rating was developed. These provide a base to ensure informed decision-making for sustainable development of New Minia City.