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Subject Area

Architectural Engineering

Article Type

Special Issue Original Study

Abstract

The public urban open space is the container that contain human activities, expressing their vitality and distinctive identity. It facilitates various functions, such as providing accessibility to buildings, natural lighting, ventilation, and creating an urban environment (social, urban, and economic). Therefore, it is considered one of the most important components of the urban fabric of any region. Its importance and value increase in heritage and historical areas, where it is regarded as a tangible heritage no less significant than the valuable buildings found in those areas.

Hence, it should receive popular and official attention over time, and its character and identity should only be altered through improvement, restoration, and revitalization. It is an essential part of the community's memory, its assets, and its intellectual heritage, which increases in value over time and cannot be replaced if destroyed or changed.

Historical Cairo has witnessed interventions in recent centuries, some of which had a negative or positive impact. These interventions included the creation of roads for vehicle movement inside these areas to reduce traffic congestion in the city and connect its edges. This occurred in the early last century when Al-Azhar Street was constructed, connecting the city center in the west to its eastern edges, dividing and separating its historical streets and spaces. This had an impact on its urban and social fabric, as well as the economic activities of its residents. This research investigates the impact of the AL-AZHAR road construction on the urban open spaces within the historically valued area of Islamic Cairo. By examining the effects on accessibility, aesthetics, social dynamics, and overall quality of open spaces, this study contributes to the understanding of how contemporary infrastructure development can shape the character and livability of historically significant urban areas. The research explores these effects by posing the question: What if Al-Azhar Street could be restored to its previous state as a wide pedestrian promenade, bustling with human activities, events, and organized activities that serve the residents, craftsmen, and promote tourism?

Keywords

urban spaces, heritage, traffic roads

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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