Nubian Islands of Aswan, Egypt Towards Supporting the Indigenous Communities through SustainableDevelopment
Mohamed Mahrous . Nouran Azouz
نهر النيل
Nubian Islands of Aswan,
The strong relation between the Nubian community and its ecological context is negatively affected by the urbanization process, which is led by the very active tourism industry in the city of Aswan. Moreover, social ties among the indigenous community members became weaker because of competitvnes for land and clients. This is clearly illustrated in the case of ‘Gharb Suhail’ settlement or the so called Nubian Village, which is presented as a model for an indigenous community hub. On the contrary, the settlement is labeled between Nubians as a bad result of tourism in their city.
مركز املدينة
Objectives
Eastern Desert
غرب سهيل Abandoned traditional Nubian houses in ‘Gharb Suhail’ indicates the local community new orientation in construction, which is directly related to the change of cultural values.
Eco-Tourism should be introduced within the local Nubian community, to preserve the local values and avoid the excessive use of resources. Moreover, Ecotourism is favorable by locals for its significant economic revenue. Hence, the local community is currently on the seek of finding alternative tourism activities that adds to the place and community. In this respect Eco-Tourism would have a direct influence on the two other aspects of the research (Cultural heritagebuilt environment).
The study aims to provide a preliminary insight for the existing conditions and needs for the Nubian indigenous communities inhabiting the Nile islands in Aswan. Also three development lines were considered in order to initiate a proposed framework responsible for a sustainable development within the local community. - Fostering cultural heritage -Supporting vernacular architecture -Supporting Eco-Tourism The geographical and spatial isolation status for the islands has strongly fostered the preservation of the cultural heritage, social dynamics and the local vernacular architecture. Inspite of the tourism benefits to the majority of local population, it has negative impact on the forementioned points. Through this research, which was supported by a field visit, it was more investigated how to ensure a sustainable future for such a unique part of Aswan.
سد أسوان
Aswan Dam
معبد فيلة
Phiale Temple
The question of Eco-Tourism has been recently raised on the negotiations table by both locals and activists. For the case of islands in aswan being situated next to the world famous monuments’ sites such as Phiale Temple has added to the location uniquness, but in the same time considered a threat for the disturbance of the cultural and social assets of locals because of tourism activities.
Spread of concrete structure along active touristic spots illustrates the shifting modes of urbanization, which raises speculations regarding the urban future of Aswan.
(C) marco ryan
Eco-Tourism
The conservation of the islands in Aswan through new paradigms of urban development and zero harmful activities. Islands in Aswan are inhabited by the Nubian indigenous population, who are currently facing new challenges to be integrated with the rest of the city, which threatens their individuality and cultural heritage.
الصحراء الشرقية
City Center
Gharb Suhail
Context
Towards Supporting the Indigenous Communities through Sustainable Development
Focus
Nile River
Egypt
مصر,أسوان
C ul t u r a l
Built-Environment
Nile River
نهر النيل
Aswan as many Egyptian cities, is losing its authentic and cultural heritage in favor of the accelerated urban sprawl and economic temptations. Thus, the need for platforms that gather the different stakeholders within cultural discussions and activities towards city development is proposed towards engagement of local people and empowering them to lead their own city development. In this respect, places (physical or digital) and social programs should be provided in an integrative manner to revive and market their cultural heritage, where they can cooperate with each-others and with others as well.
The Nubian settlements established on the different islands in Aswan are the result of social patterns and ecological adaptness to the rise of water level after the two dams were built. The vernacular architecture on the islands faces serious challenges of meeting the newly rising demands of the inhabitants. Stregnth, affordability and many other questions related to traditional building techniques needs an answer for the indigenous community or the whole building process could be replaced soon.
Therefore, it is important to support the local community in the usage/ development of local materials in the construction/ restoration of their settlements. Moreover, the need to develop these building techniques became also urgent in order to cut the way on the usage of the imported and unadabted to the climatic conditions.
An essential aspect in the hypothesis of supporting the local community in using the local building materials/ techniques, is the common awarness between the Nubian Community on the islands of the local materials advantages over the modern materials (cement).
السد العالي
The High Dam
بحيرة ناصر Community mobilization towards conservation of the distinctive eco-system in Aswan (Egypt). The fact that Aswan still preserves its natural environment relatively raises proactive arguments towards mobilization of its local community, in which they are still resisting the loss of their culture and values, yet they would like to grasp the goods within the development and gentrification approaches. A well prepared framework between the three targeted aspects shall ensure a sustainable development for the islands, which is urgently needed to avoid any informal intervention. Such a framework would build on the indigenous community values and recognize them as milestones for the development.
Framework
Lake Nassir
Supporting Vernacular Fostering Architecture Cultural Heritage
Supporting Eco-tourism
MSc. Arch.
Mohamed Mahrous
MSc. Arch.
Nouran Azouz
Cairo
mahrous2@hotmail.com nouran.azouz@gmail.com Aswan
North
0.6 km