Towards Sustainable Heritage: Redevelopment Of Historical Districts Through Place-Quality Matrix.Case Study: Religious Complex, Old Cairo

Saleh, Eman; Mohamed, Ghada

doi:10.21608/jesaun.2025.351924.1410

Towards Sustainable Heritage: Redevelopment Of Historical Districts Through Place-Quality Matrix.Case Study: Religious Complex, Old Cairo

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Architecture Department, Faculty of Engineering, MSA University, Cairo, Egypt

10.21608/jesaun.2025.351924.1410

Abstract

The redevelopment of historical districts introduces significant challenges, especially, in balancing heritage adaptability with contemporary urban needs. This research paper explores the redevelopment of historical districts, focusing on the religious complex in Old Cairo as a case study. The problem addressed is the ongoing deterioration of historical sites due to urban neglect, socio-economic pressures, and inadequate integration of local communities in the redevelopment process.
The methodology adopted in this study combines qualitative and quantitative approaches, including field surveys, interviews with local community, and urban contextual analysis. Within the framework embraced in the research, field surveys assess the physical condition of the religious complex and its surrounding environment, while interviews gather insights from residents and local businesses regarding their perceptions and needs. The physical and non- physical aspects are synthesized in the presented Place-quality Matrix to highlight strength and weak points within a holistic approach. The proposed outcomes of this research aim to establish a framework which monitors the Place-Quality attributes which identifies variable socio-cultural aspects in a certain place with cultural significance. By identifying key Place quality attributes for the religious complex and its resilience, the research seeks to demonstrate how these aspects can serve as drivers for redevelopment proposals. The findings are expected to provide actionable recommendations and comprehensive understanding, presented in a form of a design proposal for the place-quality enhancement with reserved cultural identity.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Architecture Engineering and the Engineering Architectural Interior Design.

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