The Initiative of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in al-Darb al-Ahmar (Historic Cairo)

Ref.: 129
Domaine thématique: 02 Intégrité fonctionnelle des paysages urbains historiques
Date de réception: 15/11/2008

AUTEURS (*Auteur principal)

BAKHOUM, Dina * (Égypte) - Aga Khan Cultural Services

RÉSUMÉ

Historic Cairo was inscribed as a world heritage site in 1979. Did this change its destiny? Did this prevent its deterioration and the loss of its urban fabric and spirit? Unfortunately not. In its recent history, Historic Cairo faced a number of major factors that slowly but dramatically affected its physical, functional and visual identity. Several institutions (governmental, non-governmental and international) have carried out projects to restore the historic fabric of the old part of the town. This paper will present the initiative by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture [AKTC] in Cairo through its Historic Cities Programme, concentrating mainly on discussing how this project is aiming at reviving the functional integrity of al-Darb al-Ahmar district in Historic Cairo through physical and visual interventions as well as community and development activities.
The first part of the paper is an introduction to the situation of Historic Cairo and how the threats to the physical and visual identity are also constantly threatening its functional identity. The second part of the paper will briefly give an overview of the different projects carried out by AKTC (the construction of al Azhar Park, the restoration and conservation of monuments, the restoration and rehabilitation of houses, the infrastructure work, the open space treatment, etc). The third part will deal with questions related to the future of the project and the area, mainly presenting how the functional integrity of the overall historic urban landscape is planned to be respected and revitalized, how the restored and conserved places will be and/or are reused by the local community as well as by tourists and visitors in a way that would ensure their maintenance, upkeep and benefit to the community as well as their safeguarding for future generations.

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