SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF OLD AND HERITAGE CITY-CENTERS AND THE CHALLENGES OF MODERN URBAN DEVELOPMENT ( THE CASE OF OLD ASSIUT CITY CENTER )

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Architectural Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Assuit University, Egypt

Abstract

Old and heritage city-centres in Egypt represent unique urban entities characterized by historical atmospheres which mostly belong to Arab culture dating to Islamic eras, particularly the Mamloukian period. Singular activities aiming to conserve or restore certain heritage buildings in such areas are usually incapable to achieve the required development objectives. Therefore, adopting a comprehensive sustainable development strategy may represent a proper approach to deal with problems of degradation, and urban and economic deterioration facing old and heritage city-centers. Modern and rapid urban developments in old city-centres have contributed to the loss of cultural and economic values. Therefore, re-use and rehabilitation of such areas in coherence with current social and economic circumstances should be considered as a determining factor in any comprehensive sustainable urban development strategy for the given area. This paper proposes a development programme that comprises many stages: urgent ones aim at preventing rapid deterioration; and consequent stages aim to achieve sustainable development of such important areas of Egyptian cities.

Main Subjects

JES. Journal of Engineering Sciences
Volume 34, No 5
September and October 2006
Pages 1637-1649

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics