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The National Organization

for Urban Harmony

Urban

Rehabilitation

Al-Muizz StreetCase Study

Oct. 2011


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IntroductionImportant Dates

The concept of urban rehabilitation began to emerge in 1963, whenthe Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted arecommendation for the preservation of historic sites. TheEuropean Charter of the Architectural Heritage was adopted in1975; it is based on the principle of integrated conservation, i.e.

integrating conservation into the lives of the general public and into.planning and development schemes

In 1975, ICOMOS adopted resolutions about the conservation ofsmaller historic towns. In 1976, the Recommendation concerningthe Safeguarding and Contemporary Role of Historic Areas wasadopted by UNESCO. ICOMOS in 1987 adopted the Washington

Charter for the Conservation of Historic Towns, which recommendsdevelopment and harmoniousmeasures necessary for the towns

adaptation to contemporary life.


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urban rehabilitation

Thus, after originating from the idea of

integrated conservation, the concept ofurban

rehabilitation has been extended, by

progressively assimilating questions of local

development, regional planning, sustainable

development and cultural diversity.


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UNISCO Site Selection criteria

to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius;

to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time;

to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition;

to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architecturalensemble;

to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, or sea-use;

to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, withideas,

to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional naturalbeauty;

to be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history;to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological

processes;

to contain the most important natural habitats for in-situ conservation.


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UNESCO & Islamic Cairo

"Islamic Cairo " was added to the UNESCO's

World Heritage Listin 1979. It is the medieval

part of Cairo that differs remarkably from the

old and modern districts. A UNDP study

found al Muizz street to have the greatest

concentration of medieval architectural

treasures in the Islamic world


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Case Study

Al-Muizz StreetIslamic Cairo


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Map of of Muizz Street


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Historical Background

Al-Muizz Street in Islamic Cairo, is one of the oldeststreets in Medieval Cairo, approximately onekilometer long. The street is named for the fourthcaliph of the Fatimid dynasty. It stretches from Bab Al-

Futuh in the north to Bab Zuweila in the south.

Starting in 1997, the ministry of culture carried outfirst phase of extensive restoration and conservationto the historical buildings, modern buildings, paving,

and infrastructure to turn the street into an "open airmuseum", and was rededicated as a pedestrian onlyzone.


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Physical sitting

Al-Muizz Street is commonly considered toconsist of two sections, with the dividing linebeing Al-Azhar Street. The northern part

extends from Al-Hakem Mosque in the northto the Spice Market at Al-Azhar Street andincludes the antiques markets (Khan el-Khalily), Al-Aqmar Mosque (one of the few

extant Fatimid mosques), Qalawun complex,and several well preserved medieval housesand palaces.


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The Northern Part


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Rehabilitation project

One of the aims of the conservation was toapproximate the original appearance of the street.Buildings higher than the level of monuments havebeen modified with an appropriate colour, while the

street has been repaved in the original style. 34monuments along the street and some others nearbyhave been restored. On the other hand, the nighttimeappearance of the street has been upgraded byrefined exterior lighting on buildings. To prevent the

accumulation of subterranean waterthe principalthreat to Islamic Cairoa new drainage system hasbeen installed.


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The area before conservation


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Integration of local handcrafts

into the area

Traditional Handcrafts Markets


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Sabil Khesro Pacha&Barquq -Lighting


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Qaloun Complex- Lighting


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Al-Naser Madrasa-Lighting


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Qaloun&al-Naser Lghting


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Paving & Lighting

Al-Hakem Public Space


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restoration

Darb el Asfar Area


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Paving & Restoration

Sabil Katkhoda


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Urban Patern


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Analysis

According to preliminary analysis of the situations inthe area, as well as with reference to the convergingguidelines promoted by the specialized internationalorganizations working in this area, the governmental

even if it stillorganizations have been put in place,.needs to be completed

What is most often lacking is progress incomprehensively implementing these international

guidelines and these national regulations. It is here.additional action is requiredwhere


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Required Steps

1- To modify some actions of the first phase like:

(Different paving patterns were used and the rough texturepavingof some is not suitable for pedestrian areas.

sucessfulare veryFutuh-units of the area next to Bab alLightingand needs to be extended to the rest of the street.

match the originalFutuh-of the area next to Bab alShops frontsstyle of the street and need to be extended to the rest of the street.

2- To extend and integrate both the southern part and thesurrounding area (like Gamalia) within the main urbanrehabilitation project.

3- To continue the maintenance plan to sustain the restorationefforts.

4- To study different financing proposals that can support bothfuture plans and sustainability of the existing phases.


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The Southern PartSecond Phase

The southern part of el al-Muizz street

extends from Ghuriya complex to Bab

Zuweila and includes the magnificent Tents

Market and many other monuments.

This part has to be completed as integrated

part of the whole urban rehabilitation of the

project.


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Southern Part Map

Bab Zuweila Gate


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Bab Zuweila Gate

& Southern Part


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Historical Photos of the Street


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Original shape of the markets and the

existing situation


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Recommended Actions

reuse of. Promote mixedused functions through the6.ancient buildings

7. Combine the rehabilitation of old buildings with the.upgrading of local infrastructure

forfinancial support. Support the creation and use of8rehabilitation in the form of financial incentives.

9. Involve local inhabitants in all stages of urban.participationpublicthroughrehabilitation activities

and strengtheninternational cooperation. Promote10links with the specialized international organizations.


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&Resolutions

Main Resources

1 Consultative Assembly Recommendation 365 (1963),Resolution 249 (1963) and Directive 216 (1963).

2 Charter adopted by the EU Committee of Ministerson 26 September 1975.

3 Resolutions of the International Symposium on theConservation of Smaller Historic Towns (4th GeneralAssembly of ICOMOS, Rothenburg Tauber, 2930 May1975).

4 UNESCO Nairobi Recommendation, 26 November1976.

5 Charter adopted by ICOMOS in Washington, October1987.

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