Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering - Department of Architectural Engineering

The Nile is acknowledged as influential environmental and economic feature that manage to impact the social and political urban environment. Thus, the Nile has molded enormously in the urban mass of Cairo and Egypt throughout its entire history. Historically, Babylon the oldest urban settlement is located on the Nile. The current location of the settlement is in the south of Cairo. Subsequently, there was a sequence of urban centers for numerous eras established nearby the Babylon. Therefore, the URHC project affiliated to UNESCO proposed boundaries for world heritage property and buffer zone to preserve its urban and architectural value. The waterfront of Old Cairo is considered the only historic waterfront that is registered as world heritage property based on the UNESCO principles. Nevertheless, although the area has a prominent historical value, there is an urban deterioration that is associated by low standards of living and quality of life. The deteriorated current situation has a direct relation to the urban growth of Cairo that was primarily towards the north. The urban expansion concentrated on constructing new settlements while, downgrading the old settlements. Furthermore, there was the gradual natural transformation of the eastern Nile bank border of old Cairo that led to unplanned urban crawls without any management. The National polices have incorporated Old Cairo for the future 2050 development of Cairo. The development vision of the area contradicts with the sensitive environmental conditions and social justice that created a conflict between authorities and experts in various fields

Issued also as CD