Figure 42 illustration OF THE proposed Al-Khalifa vision

Figure 42 Illustration of the proposed vision for al-Khalifa.

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55 The numbers on the map correspond to the following: A) Already implemented or under construction projects: 1) Ahmad Kuhya Mosque open space rehabilitation (open space, monument); 2) Darb al-Husr playground (recreational, sports); 3) Yarim Agha open space improvement (residential); 4) Shajar al-Durr rehabilitation (monument); 5) Al-Khalifa Community Centre establishment (services); 6) Al-Ja’fari and ‘Atika Mausolea (monument); 7)Al-Sayyida Ruqayya Mausoleum rehabilitation (monument); 8)Al-Sayyida Ruqayya new Mosque and service centre; 9)Al-Khalifa Heritage Environmental park; 10) Restoration of Gayer Anderson Museum (monument); 11) Ibn Tulun Mosque (monument). B) Proposed projects: 1) Rashwan open space improvement (residential) ; 2) Darb al‘Akrat street opening (accessibility, services, residential); 3) Darb al-Husr Market improvement (commercial); 4) AlKhalifa Market improvement (commercial); 5) Safiyy al-Din Jawhar Mausoleum rehabilitation (monument); 6) Sabil al-Amir ‘Abd Allah Katkhudha rehabilitation (monument); 7) Fatima Khatun Mausoleum rehabilitation (monument); 8)Al-Ashraf Khalil Mausoleum rehabilitation (monument).

Level 1: Tackle all needed actions on policies level.

Actions that are critical to the implementation of the Management Plan and essential for it to become operational, such as laws related action and action on higher levels (Historic Cairo, Governorate, National, etc.).

Level 2: Enhance the overall quality of the neighbourhood activities hubs, gateways and routes.

1. Define activities hubs within certain nodes of the neighbourhood by catching the existing potential of previously implemented, or current, development projects.

Four themed activity hubs were defined located on different sections of the main spine (al-Ashraf, al-Khalifa, and al-Rukbiyya). The activity hubs generally aim to alleviate the quality of life through enhancement of the quality of space, increasing and creating economic activities as well as providing services. • The Central Hub: Located at al-Khalifa Market Square, it connects all main entrances. Its strategic location is vital for regulating visitor and resident flow. It will be developed by regulating the current commercial activities and ensuring they serve all users. • The Cultural Tourism Hub: Ibn Tulun Mosque and Gayer-Anderson Museum are the main cultural attraction within the neighbourhood. Both were recently restored, and the museum is being used as a venue for heritage events. This hub will be developed to attract cultural tourists and encourage them to enter the neighbourhood to visit its other attractions. • The Mawlid Hub: Flexible open spaces for temporary accommodation and celebration activities, and two community centres serve local residents and religious visitors. • Al-Khalifa Heritage and Environment Park Hub: The park, and the two domes opposite to it, accommodate activities tailored to both inhabitants and tourists. The park complex contains a community garden, commercial outlets, and a wooded area with a restaurant for tourists. Integrated with the domes of al-Ashraf Khalil and Fatima Khatun (after their rehabilitation), it serves as a new hub for cultural tourism, provides needed services and enhances the connection to Zaynhum Housing.

Central Hub

- Enhancing mobility (pedestrian and vehicular). - Rearranging al-Khalifa Market Square (providing shade and marked territories). - Signage/information point (to facilitate movement around the area). - Introducing new activities to serve all users (such as food stalls and other services).

Cultural Tourism Hub (North Entrance)

- Touristic buses drop off/pick up points. - Information centre (can be hosted in one of the monuments after restoration). - Bazars/exhibition spaces (can be hosted in one of the heritage buildings). - Open spaces for shows (related to a listed monument).

Al-Khalifa Heritage and Environment Park Hub (Southern Entrance)

- Information point. - Green and recreational spaces for residents and visitors. - Commercial outlets. - Food stalls and restaurant.

The Mawlid Hub

- Open space for multipurpose use. - Multi- functional space with shading structure. - Service, food preparation spaces. - Temporary accommodation spaces. - Public bathrooms.

2. Enhance the neighbourhood gateways and routes to increase connectivity with surrounding neighbourhoods and activities.

The neighbourhood has specific entrances; each entrance has a dominant type of user. The development scenario includes the development of the following entrances: • The northern entrance from al-Saliba Street via Ibn Tulun Street: In addition to serving local users, this entrance serves visitors interested in cultural tourism. Enhancing it can attract visitors of the Citadel and Ibn Tulun Mosque to extend their visit into the neighbourhood. • Southern entrance from S. Nafisa Square: This mostly serves local users and visitors to the shrine of S.Nafisa. Some may continue their visit to the shrines of S. Ruqayya, al-Ja’fari and ’Atika, Ibn Sirin, S. Sukayna and S. Muhammad alAnwar. • Eastern entrances through Darb al-Husr to al-Sayyida ‘Aisha Square and alManshiyya Market: These entrances connect local residents and visitors to

existing commercial hubs. Moreover, they connect residents to the main transportation hub at S. ‘Aisha Square and the main market of al-Manshiyya. • Western side entrances through Zaynhum stairs and Qal’at al-Kabsh: They mostly connect al-Khalifa to Zaynhum Housing and Qal’at al-Kabsh. Zaynhum and Qal’at al-Kabsh residents can access S. ‘Aisha transportation hub via these entrances.

Level 3: Propose surgical solutions to the inner fabric of the neighbourhood

These solutions will aim to enhance the overall quality of the life of residents through physical interventions. The solutions include tackling the most important issues such as:

• Increasing permeability: to increase safety and commercial exposure. • Enhancing open spaces: to enhance quality of space and provide a space for the community to interact within. • Rehabilitation of monuments: to protect monuments and turn them into a source of income for the community. • Crafts development: enhance craftsmanship and take advantage of crafts concentrations and develop production chain and related services. • Provide local services: to meet the residents’ needs of services and increase the attractions and liveability of the neighbourhood.

Level 4: Improve overall community engagement and quality of life through non-place based activities and organized activities.

These activities aim to improve the overall quality of life of al-Khalifa residents by providing needed trainings or services that are not place-based.

• Increase heritage awareness. • Provide technical support and provide needed services to local craftsmanship. • Promote tourism in al-Khalifa. • Help and promote self-development of the urban fabric by the residents themselves.