An Approach for Preserving Historical Gardens in Cairo within a Framework for Sustainable Development

Ref.: 66
Key theme: 01 Physical integrity of historic urban landscapes
Date of reception: 15/11/2008

AUTHORS (*Main author)

SHEBL, Dalia * (Egypt) - University of Monofia
EL-HABASHI, Alaa (Egypt) - University of Monofia
EL-IKYABI, Mahmoud (Egypt) - University of Monofia

ABSTRACT

Gardens are considered the lung of the contemporary polluted cities, and the relief for their inhabitants. They also express the main features and characteristics of the time during which they were established, and reflect the cultural, social and political changes The research provides a theoretical context of this gardens. and documents the current conditions of the public historical gardens in Egypt in general, and those of Cairo in specific, and highlights the constant pressure to enhance the qualities of the urban environment in the Egyptian cities. It focuses on the public historic gardens of Cairo, where the demands for extending the built fabric and its services are overwhelming threatening their future survival. The research presents a survey of those gardens describing for each the location, the size, their ecological qualities, their historical development of the architectural and botacnial elements, as well as the origins and types of existing plants and irrigation systems, the pattern followed in the design, the initial goal for the establishment, and the followed maintenance methods , finally the relation between this gardens and surrounded urban .
The study also investigates the international policies and charters that specify the preservation of these green spaces within the dense fabric of historic cities, and compare them with the local administrative systems that manage the Cairene gardens. This analysis leads to develop a preservation strategy for the historic gardens of Cairo, and aims at re-integrating them in the contemporary urban fabric. Not only does this strategy respect the historic elements and characteristics of these places, but it also abides by the terms of the relevant international conservation charters, and encounters the requirements and the services of the local contemporary urban life. This strategy, therefore, guarantees the sustainability for the preservation approach and the suitability of the prospective development.

REFERENCES

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Charters :
- (The Florence Charter - 1982) HISTORIC GARDENS .
Websites:
1- http://www.egyptarch.com/research0.html
2- http://www.egyptedantan.com/egypt.htm