Urban Informality in Flux: Program
October 14, 2024Urban Informality in Flux: Program
October 14, 2024
Group Photo in Al-Azhar Park - Cairo
Urban Informality in Flux: Urban Acupuncture Minding the Gap between Planning Strategies and Urban Realities in the Greater Cairo Region
Right to the City vs. Right of the City
1st Phase: Exploring Alexandria
Our participants had the opportunity to visit Alexandria for two days, through which they have been provided with an invaluable lecture by Prof. Dr. Zeyad Al-Sayad titled “Experimenting with Participatory Urban Design - Case Studies from Alexandria City Center” held at the Graeco-Roman Museum lecture hall. Following the lecture was a guided tour in the museum.
Speaking of tours! Our participants had the privilege to be guided by Ms. AlZahraa Awad in an open walking tour through El Nabi Daniel Street and Kom El-Deka region, adding depth to our students’ perception of the multi-layered history of Alexandria. In addition to another input by Prof.Dr. Nevin Gharib held at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina outer plaza followed by a guided tour in the library.
One last tour Alexandria had to offer, was through Al-Mahmoudiya Axis ending with hitting the road to Cairo for further activities.
2nd Phase: Cairo Excursions and WUF 12
For the next seven days, our participants had the chance to explore the Greater Cairo region through a series regional visits divided into four main excursions categorised under three levels. Three excursions were for gathering information purposes and the fourth was for the focus case study.
- The first level guided by the government represented by Mr. Khalil Shaat – Cairo governor advisor, included areas of: Rawdet Alsayeda, Souk El-Hatt, Elsokar and Ellamoun, Gaiara and Housh Elnakhl, Sour Magra El-O‘ion, Ain Alsira, Tal Alfustat, Batn ElBakr (Fustat View), Abu Qarn, Abu Elso‘oud Housing, Elgabakhana (Ezbet Khayrallah) and Alkhialla Housing.
- Second level was Manshiyyat Nasser area guided by the NGO of Youth Association for the Care of women and Improving the environment (YACI). Helwan area including Kafr Elelw, Arab Rashed and Elmalaka guided by As-hab Mekamelin (Friends in Continuity) local association among other spots in Greater Cairo.
- The third level which included the fourth excursion that was dedicated to Souk El Selah area which was the focus case study of this winter school guided by Arch. Alia Nassar, a founding member of Khazanah School of Heritage - a local NGO.
Fortunately, our participants’ stay in Cairo coincided with the UN-Habitat’s World Urban Forum in its twelfth session (WUF12) – which was a unique opportunity for them to attend a series of sessions supporting their study with further guidance to reach their outcome.
3rd Phase: Outcomes and Presentations
The final phase of our winter school included focusing on the main case study of Souk El Selah area whose input was provided by Prof. Dr. Alaa El Habashy at Bayt Yakan for heritage and arts.
Our students focused on four themes (dimensions); the first was the built environment (physical / land and shelter), the second was about the green infrastructure, the third was the local economy while the fourth was about basic urban services.
The participants were divided into four groups concerning the Alexandria phase and the informal settlements regional visits in the Cairo phase. Each group focused on analysing and observing one theme/dimension during the visits. In the last phase (focus case study) they were divided into eight groups with eight different outcomes for activating the public spaces following the Urban Acupuncture approach.
They presented their work in the form of visualised concepts (based on each theme) containing each
group’s reflections, observations, and recommendations. They were able to display and discuss their work on the closing event of the winter school which took place at Ain Shams University campus which was attended by Urban Acupuncture’s Ta’ziz project partners.