Citizen Participation in Historic Cairo (CPHC)
CPHC Project reviewed the previously mentioned studies and conducted its own validation of the results. The validation was based on field work and mapping needs of the neighbourhood. Focus group meetings with selected groups were organized in addition to informal interviews with the residents. Informal interviews were conducted during workshops, public events were organized by projects and focus groups with the women residents of al-Khalifa took place. I.
Al-Khalifa needs assessment conclusion
The main needs identified can be divided into 4 themes: • Housing conditions: • Improve dilapidated residential buildings. • Enhance open spaces especially paving and street lighting. • Infrastructure and utilities: • Resolve the issue of rising salt damp. • Repair and maintain the failing public sewage network of the area. • Improve waste collection services. • Improve and maintain the water network. • Connect the area to the natural gas network. • Services: Adequate health facilities. Adequate childcare services. Preparatory or secondary schools in the area. Open spaces and spaces for sports and recreation, particularly for women and pre-schoolers. A community centre for kids’ activities, adult education, tuition classes, substance abuse and public health program as well as vocational training, particularly for teenagers and the youth. Hall for events/celebrations. Enhance local fruit and vegetable market. Resolve mobility and accessibility issues. • Heritage and tourism development: Well-maintained heritage sites that the community can benefit from. Tourist services and signage to promote heritage sites, local businesses and crafts. Small tourism-based businesses run by the local community. It was found from the conducted mapping that a couple of undergoing development projects are expected to cover part of the previously mentioned needs. This should be taken into consideration when allocating services or proposing new projects. These projects include: 1. The under construction project of al-Sayyida Ruqayya new Mosque: The project is expected to include a community service centre, however, specific services are not yet defined. 2. The under construction project of al-Khalifa Heritage Environmental Park: The park will include; an education centre for children, a kindergarten, a theatre, a playground, a women sports centre, an awareness centre and urban farming plots. 61
