There have been several features about this subject over the years, but it never hurts to be reminded.
The Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza are the most recognized objects in Egypt and attract millions of tourists each year. Over the years, they weathered erosion, challenged the winds of the desert, stood proud while humans plundered their exteriors, and more recently dealt with the effects of pollution. They now face a new man-made threat to their existence—urban development.
Cairo is an expanding city and inches its way closer to the Sphinx and Pyramids annually. The urban expansion toward Giza started in the late 1800s when the ruler of Egypt, Isma'il Pasha, built a road to the Pyramids from Cairo, to ease the trip of visitors from Europe and the rest of the world. The officials visiting Egypt for the opening of the Suez Canal had an easy route to visit Giza. The road remains in usage today as a four-lane highway littered with buses and taxis taking tourists back and forth.
Since the road’s construction, neighborhoods have developed to what is now the edge of the Giza plateau. What was an out-of-the-way drive from Cairo is now a mere 30 minutes. Even more, you can now stay at hotels walking distance from the Pyramids. The Giza Hilton offers a “Pyramid view” golf course.
Most disturbing of all, there is a plaza walking distance away from the Sphinx that has, among others, a KFC, Pizza Hut and Hard Rock Café.
The urban expansion toward Giza has different negative effects on the historic landmarks.
See the above for more.
There's a particularly good video report and article about an unofficial highway (an abandoned ringroad development) that offers a real threat to the pyramids, on the BBC News site (the video starts immediately).
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