Decarbonizing Downtown Cairo: Towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals
ARCH 468/4532
STUDENTS’ WORK
FALL 2022 | SPRING 2023 | SPRING 2024
PARTNERS AND PARTICIPANTS
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO UNHABITAT (BASIC SERVICES AND CLIMATE CHANGE PROGRAMME)
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
ARCH 468/4532: URBAN DESIGN AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
FALL 2022 - SPRING 2024
© AUC ARCHITECTURE 2024
Urban Instructor
Dr. Momen El-Husseiny
Fall 2022
TAs
Fatima Abdelaziz
Omar Magdy Nasreldin
Sara Seyam
Spring 2023
TAs
Nada El-Hadedy
Nada El-Walid
Reem Khalil
Sara Seyam
Sohaila Anous
Urban Instructors
Dr. Momen El-Husseiny
Prof. Abeer El Shater
Spring 2024
TAs
Amina Shaker
Eslam Malak Wahba
Heba El-Kammah
Lara Shaheen
Sara Seyam
Shereen Wael
How might we incentivize people to use active transport in their daily commute to reduce greenhouse gas emission in Downtown Cairo? How might we negotiate safe and playful corridors between bike stations to attract people to walk, move and bike, while avoiding the congested car traffic and exposure to air pollution in the main streets? How bike stations can act as nodes fostering a new social contract between citizens and the city to reduce social, gender and economic inequalities?
The Cairo Bike Corridors Design Challenge aims to address significant motivational and safety concerns related to cycling and walking in the city, particularly focusing on the lack of gender-inclusive public spaces. The current infrastructure, which includes limited “pop-up” bike lanes, has not effectively encouraged residents to use bikes for commuting due to fears of accidents, overcrowding, and pollution. The original plan for a 16 km bike lane has been reduced to just 2 km of temporary lanes, necessitating additional strategies to promote cycling. Proposed interventions include the creation of creative bike lanes, arts-and-culture-based traffic calming measures, and playful elements in public spaces to enhance safety and appeal. Special attention will be given to improving accessibility for women, children, and other vulnerable groups by assigning female attendants at stations to foster cultural change. The expected outcomes include increased usage of the bikeshare system, greater social inclusion, and potential replication of successful strategies in other areas, supported by media coverage.
To decarbonize a populated city center, Fay et al. (2015) outline a three-step process: act early with a clear end-goal, implement a comprehensive policy package to drive investment and behavioral changes, and manage the political economy to facilitate transitions for those most affected. Applying these steps to the “Cairo Bike” project involves asking critical questions about the project’s goals, such as identifying target users (residents, businesses, or tourists), determining usage patterns, and ensuring safe navigation in a city lacking dedicated bike lanes. Furthermore, the project should aim to foster social, economic, and physical development around bike stations by creating engaging activities that promote equity and environmental awareness. This includes innovative concepts like bike-friendly cafes and upcycling initiatives. Lastly, it is essential to address the needs of marginalized communities to ensure an inclusive transition towards a sustainable urban environment.
AUC hosted a bike tour in Downtown Cairo, showcasing the beautiful architecture of Khedivial Cairo. Guided by faculty and urban design students, the tour highlighted historical landmarks and rejuvenated streets. It concluded at the Armenian Hall in Tahrir Cultural Center, where participants engaged with urban mobility specialists and civil society members in a panel discussion on bike infrastructure, active mobility, and sustainable urbanization.
GROUP 1
BIKE
HUMAN CENTRIC DESIGN
FALL 2022
FALL 2022
GROUP
‘‘VISIBILITY IS VIABILITY’’
SPRING 2023
GROUP 1
BEHIND EVERY BUILDING IS A PASSAGEWAY
SPRING 2023
SPRING 2023
SPRING 2023
GROUP 5
SPRING 2023
GROUP
SPRING 2024
1
SPRING 2024
2
GROUP 3
THE ART OF CHAOS, THE ART OF ORGANIZATION
SPRING 2024
GROUP 4
SPRING 2024
Problem Statement
our street is a fast transitional route,we aim to slow time down through little hidden pockets that contrast the large fast-paced streets, bringing something completely new to west el balad Echoes of the inbetween
Street Problems
People pass by the street so fast it’s a route for them so the street is empty and quiet almost abandoned
The density and popularity of the street in West El Ballad are notably lower compared to other streets in the area.
There is a lack of recreational areas or seating spaces available on the street.
Hidden street pockets hold untapped potential for enhancing appeal but remain underutilized due to lack of visibility and awarenes.
Street Criteria
Empty Includes underutilized pockets and pathways Is only a transitional route from one node to another The area lacks social engagement. Has diverse Architectural collection of buildings Is placed between two popular
Asmaa Hassan
Nouran Dawoud
Lugine Omar Maya Saad
Source: Author
Source: Author
Bike route activities:
Activities
engage residents and culture
Enjoy live music and entertainment in vibrant neighborhoods
Discover hidden gems off the beaten path
Scale 1:50000
Distribution of the three user groups on the map Why These Routes?
Bike route activities:
Enjoy live music and entertainment
Socialize learn new activities
Different users engage in different activities in the area, the bike routes are informed by the imbalance of distribution across the area.
Whilst West El Balad is a very vibrant and alive community, a lot of areas are overly populated and full of people where other areas that possess the same qualities as the vibrant outside are overlooked
Our in-between spaces contain qualities and experiences that don't exist outside.
The bike routes challenge the norm by creating a balance between the known and unknown, the popular, dense and the hidden gems.
Bike route activities:
Leave their homes
Experience west El balad in a new perspective
SPRING 2024
ﺪﻠﺒﻟﺍ ﺐﻠﻗ ﻦﻣ
HISTORICAL EVENTS AND ARCHITECTURE MASTERPIECES
INITIAL MAIN PLOT FROM THE OVERALL SITE
CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION
EMAD EL DEEN WAS REGARDED THE VIBRANT CENTER OF CAIRENE NIGHTLIFE. BOTH SIDES WERE PACKED WITH CINEMAS, THEATERS. SUCH AS NAGUIB ALRIHANI THEATRE, ZAWYA CINEMA, CINEMA LEDO, CINEMA DIANA, RENISSANCE NOW EMAD EDDIN IS NOW A QUIET, DIMLY-LIT STREET WITH A SMALL NUMBER OF STORES ON EACH SIDE.
CONCLUSION:
SINCE THE WEATHER IN DOWNTOWN IS A REALLY IMPORTANT FACTOR THAT INFLUENCES PEOPLE'S ANALYSIS IN OUR SITE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN A ZONE WHERE ALL THE USERS FEEL COMFORTABLE IN TERMS OF THE WEATHER CONDITIONS TO ENJOY AND HAVE THE MAXIMUM BEST EXPERIENCE FROM THE STREET
A
KASR EL NILE WAS ALWAYS THE CULTURAL HUB OR THE MAGNET OF DOWNTOWN WHETHER IT WAS FOR SHOPPING SOCIALIZING OR EVEN POLITICALLY REPRESENTATION AND MOVEMENTS. IT CONTINOUS WITH ITS DIVERSITY UP UNTIL TODAY.
SDG STANDS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, WHICH ARE A SET OF 17 GLOBAL OBJECTIVES ADOPTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS IN 2015 TO ADDRESS PRESSING GLOBAL CHALLENGES SUCH AS POVERTY, INEQUALITY, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION FOR THE YEAR 2030.
MAKE SURE TO TARGET CONVAVILITY AND PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE USER EXPERIENCE WHICH WILL HELP US ACHIEVE OUR APPLICABLE SDGS
(SECONDARY STREET PESDESTRIAN
GREEN SPACES & SOCIAL SPACES CYCLING AND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION DIVERSE RETAIL AND DINING OPTIONS & PUBLIC ART AND CULTURE
WALKABILITY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION
URBAN DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE & SAFETY AND SECURITY
SOCIAL INTERACTION HISTORICAL / EDUCATIONAL
THE REVIVAL OF THE THEATRE CULTURE WHERE THE USER AS THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THAT ROUTE THEY ARE CONSTANTLY GOING THROUGH A PROCESS TO BE EXPOSED TO THE OLD THEATRE AND CINEMA VIVE OF
START OF THE JOURNEY AL FALAKY THEATRE
“STREET PERFORMERS” TALAT HARB SQUARE
“FIRST PLAY” METRO CINEMA
STREET BOOK VENDOR TAHRIR SQUARE
“INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS” CINEMA RADIO
“COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS ELRIHANY STAGE
“THEATRETHEMED CAFÉS” CAFE
“THEATRE WORKSHOPS” STUDIO EMAD EDDIN FOUNDATION 10 11 12
“EVERYDAY NEW EXPERIENCE”” ZAWYA CINEMA
“PERFORMANCE IN AND OUT”” COSMOS CINEMA
“END OF THE JOURNEY”” RENAISSANCE CINEMA
THE GALLERY WALK IS MAKING THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE CONVIVAL WHERE THE USER AS THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THAT ROUTE THEY ARE CONSTANTLY GOING THROUGH A PROCESS TO BE EXPOSED TO SHOWCASING LOCAL STAFF TO BUY AND ART IN DOWNTOWN CAIRO.
THE IDEA OF THIS ROUTE MAINLY FOCUSES ON ENJOYING RIDING A BIKE IN DOWNTOWN CAIRO, IT ALLOUWS THE USER TO BIKE IN TH EMAIN PRIMARY BIKE LANES WHILE SEEING DIFFERENT BEHAVIOUR AND HUMAN ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE 2 MAIN STREETS OF OUR PROJECT AND THE REST OF THE SITE.
SDG TACKLED IN THIS ACTION PLAN
CONSTANT MARKETING FOR THE REVIVED VIBE OF EMAD EL DEEN
A STREET THAT IS CLOSED JUST FOR PEDESTRENS FILLED WITH ACTIVITIES REGARDING ART AND VINTAGE CULTURE TO BALANCE THE OVER DENSITY IN THE STREETS
CAIRO VINTAGE DAY CAIRO DESIGN DAY GREEN POCKETS
EVERY WEEK A NEW EXPERIENCE IN THOSE STREETS THAT ATTARCTS PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH THAT ISLE.
CREATING GREEN POCKETS OR A BRETHING ORGANISM INT HE MIDDLE OF A VERY DENSE AREA
WEEKLY BAZAR WHERE WE SDG TACKLED IN
3D SLETCH OF THE SCOOTER STOP
DENSITY STARTED TO INCREASE IN EMAD EL DEEN
SDG TACKLED IN THIS ACTION PLAN
INTEGRATION WITH CAIRO BIKE
SPRING 2024
SPRING 2024
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
ARCH 468/4532: URBAN DESIGN AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
FALL 2022 - SPRING 2024
© AUC ARCHITECTURE 2024