Identity: Ecosystem Diversity in Egypt
Ecosystem is considered as any community of plants, animals and/ or non-living components interacting with each other in a given area. Every Ecosystem has been divided into subdivisions “habitats”, depending on morphological characteristics and important groups of fauna and flora that inhabit it.
Why Al Galala City? • • • • •
One of the important 20 four-generation new cities in Egypt. Very naturally rich We need to stop the unsustainable cycle of the new developments destroying the nature context Not a center of political power & governance
The Purpose of the City Oppurtunities in • Tourism • Sustainabilty
• Investment
Place Identity Place identity or place-based identity refers to a cluster of ideas about place and identity in the fields of geography, urban planning, urban design, landscape architecture, environmental psychology, ecocriticism and urban sociology/ecological sociology
Geography
Environmental
History Red Sea Coast Architecture Style Historic landmarks Purpose of the new City
Ecosystems in Egypt Highlighted Ecosystem in Al Galala Mountain & topography unique identity
Current Architecture Style
THEN VS NOW
• This unevenness in coverage makes it difficult to study in any balanced manner. • Moreover, today, most of the port cities was destroyed or unevenly modernized • Its construction is fragile, encased in layers of plaster that need to be renewed on a continual basis so that the harsh conditions
Red Sea Coast Architecture Style
Functional Duality The classical house is two or three stories high. The lowest level served commercial purposes (Activities meetings) with storerooms and at least one reception room While the majority of houses are multistory buildings, some exhibit lowlying plans oriented
• Several developments are located on natural rain flood paths • Some stakeholders only have a short time plan and benefits, does not see the long term effects • Governments and developers should have a critical role in establishing rules for natural heritage environment for future generations to enjoy • Mass tourism, informal use of beaches, and garbage are causing pollution
Problem Definition
Thesis Statement
New Galala City is labelled as local and international touristic hotspot, because of its natural context. However, they designed buildings and resorts are only recreational, luxurious forms. The actual goal should be the embodiment of nature into our designs, and reconnecting with the natural assets of the site (Mountains, sea and clear sky)
Boosting eco-tourism in Al Galala City, to raise awareness about it’s natural environmental assets. Through reviving Red Sea Architectural Style.
Eco-tourism plays a huge role in preserving the environmental assets however, it is a missing type of tourism in our site. People are getting disconnected from nature, yet them play a role in destroying and threatening the ecosystems We need to concentrate and focus on the idea of recycling materials to reduce the impact on the environment and overusing the natural resources. The architectural identity of the site is lost overtime and needs to be revived.
In addition to providing an educational opportunity for visitors to play a role in creating a sustainable future for the city; through some recycling workshops and a chance to interact with nature closely by arousing their senses to create a unique experience for the guests especially youth. That is all included in an accommodation Zone which is the eco-lodge.
Keywords: Eco-Tourism, Deserts Ecosystem, Mountain Habitats, Revival of Red Sea Coast Architecture Style, Recycling, Unique Educational Experience
Location of Al Galala City
Environmental Analysis • • • •
The weather during summer :hot, humid, arid. winter: of cool,dry, and mostly clear days. The prevailing winds are from the N/NW direction. The average minimum air temperature in January (15.20 c) whiles the average maximum air temperature in July (30°C), the diurnal day range between (9.1°C) and (13.9 0 c). • Rainfall rate is (17.2mm/year), the maximum value of rain in one day is 3.2mm. Evaporation ranges between (5.6 to12.5mm/day),
SETTING ANALYSIS
Conclusion Those Environmental Factors will be taken into consideration In multiple ways in the project: Using courtyards and wind towers for ventilation, Different types of natural lighting methods: Heliostat Skylight, light wells, openings, Curtain Walls. Besides the use of green roofs and shading devices. And with respect to the wind direction the rooms were directed and the amitheatre.
Renewable Energy Water and energy resources for the plateau will be provided through the construction of desalination plant with a daily capacity of 150,000 cubic meters and the upgrading of Suez’s Ataqa power plant and Zafrana wind farms.
What is Ecotourism? The segment of tourism undergoing the fastest growth is nature-based tourism. “environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy, study and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features – both past and present), that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations”
USERS PROFILE
Heliostat Skylight
Wind Catchers
Environmental Approach
Sun Trackin
Sun Protection
Green Roofs
Courtyard
Environmental Approach
The Courtyard is one of the most important features in this project, it is used as an environmental approach, an ecstatic reason and a big part of the concept. It is nearly included in all zones but with different experiences created by the form and light and integration with nature.
Design Process 1. Choose a site that matches the ‘Eco” Guidlines 2. Create a Bubble Diagram to create the connection between the different zones according to the user needs 3. Determining the access points and Locate the different activties that require specific spots 4. Create the experiance of the embeded elements 5, Locate courtyards for natural ventilation and light 6. Locate the higher level according to the views 7. Start to create the main spine that is going to connect them 8. Follow the topography lines to create the embeded residential zones 9. Using different levels to use the duality of the view + make sure all rooms are ventilated properly. 10. Locate the workshops in a secluded zone (Far away from the residential areas
3D Zoning
Circulation Diagram
Section A-A Scale 1:500
Northern Facade Scale 1:500
Section Section B-B B-B Scale Scale 1:500 1:500