New Urbanism Theory as an Approach to regenerate the Egyptian Urban Heritage

A , Abdullah, Mariam,; Y, Shafik, Zeinab,; Y, El Kerdany, Dalila,

doi:10.21608/erj.2019.139777

New Urbanism Theory as an Approach to regenerate the Egyptian Urban Heritage

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Faculty of Engineering, Architecture Department , The American University in Cairo

² Faculty of Engineering, Architecture Department , Cairo University

10.21608/erj.2019.139777

Abstract

Recently the urban heritage of the 20thcentury neighborhoods in Egypt has been facing new challenges and obstacles, such as losing a great deal of their urban harmony and architectural heritage wealth. In the contrary, the developed countries are following new urban approaches; such as the new urbanism theory; established in the late 20th century which could protect urban heritage from the harmful effect of modernization by enhancing walkability and a pedestrian friendly environment. Walkability can control urban sprawl that has robust effects on the urban harmony of old centers. Thus, this paper seeks to explore the merits of the new urbanism approaches, aiming to draw conclusions and propose recommendations of introducing pedestrian friendly and walkability approaches in the urban regeneration projects in Egypt. The paper proposes a strategy for enhancing the efficiency of the regeneration projects in the 20th century neighborhoods, in order to impact the Egyptian heritage conservation legislations. Accordingly, the study presents an analysis to the problems facing urban heritage in Egypt, proposing a new methodology based on inflicting adaptations and changes in the urban heritage legislations based on the new theory of urbanism. The study aims also to revive the urban harmony of historic districts, to raise awareness of heritage and to endorse the sense of belonging.

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