Publication - Citizen Participation in Historic Cairo.

Citizen Participation in Historic Cairo (CPHC)

3.2 Historic Urban Fabric - Open Spaces: From the data that was collected and analysed, it was possible to link a series of parameters that indicate the overall value of open spaces. The open spaces were subdivided according to street width and are displayed in 3 different sets 11.

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The classification of open spaces: The classification applied was based on the outcomes of a detailed field survey, and took into consideration four main parameters: o Overall general quality 12. o Presence of widening appearing when the overall street alignment is disturbed 13 o The dominance of the open space’s user, whether pedestrian or vehicular 14. o Threats appearing in the form of informal appropriations of the open space 15.

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i.

Classes of open spaces

The classification of open spaces is a fundamental step towards controlling the serviceability and preservation of streets and spaces in the Historic City, while also taking into account their location and value. This led to the identification of 38 open space sub-classes (columns) in 3 different sections 16.

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These sub-classes, though different with regards to their combination of values, can be grouped into 4 macro classes, each identified as consisting of open spaces of equivalent weight that can be subject to similar types of intervention.

Areas/ Classes of open spaces

Number

%

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4

34/ 352 9/ 352 32/ 352 277/ 352

9.66% 2.56% 9.09% 78.69%

The three different sets are: i- streets less than two metres, ii- streets between two metres and 6 metres wide, and iii- streets greater than 6 metres wide.

12 It is assessed based on evaluations made on horizontal permeability, an overall evaluation of its special quality and an overall evaluation of surfaces and materials.

13 It is related to the analysis of building fronts.

14 It indicates the presence of side factors such as pollution or noises, and the level of horizontal permeability.

15 The presence of informal parking, usage as an animal shed, or the informal accumulation of solid waste.

16 Nine of the sub-classes fell under those spaces less than 2 metres wide; 15 fell under spaces between 2 and 6 metres wide; and 14 were classed as open spaces greater than 6 metres wide.

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