THE IMPACT OF EUROPEANIZATION ON THE URBAN AND ARCHITECTURAL STYLISTIC EVOLUTION OF CAIRO DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Urban design and architecture are intimately related fields, which generally intersect and overlap. As the main objective of this paper is to understand the influence of the urban planning process on the architectural outcome, this paper tackles this issue, trying to understand the dilemma of their practices. Therefore, this paper explores the Europeanization process in Cairo, which started during the first half of the 19th century, by the French Expedition originating Cairo to such a French model: “Paris of the Orient”. The Europeans and Muhammed Ali’s dynasty strategic endeavors to modernize Cairo according to the European model are analyzed, in order to examine the urban and architectural changes and development aspects, regarding the old traditional city, alongside with the foundation of the new modern one al-Azbakiya, which was the main city vital hub between 1798 till 1863. During such overlapping process of transition, a new field for research to be explored: the Rumi style, introduced by the royal patrons, then adopted by the local people, and which was an eclectic style, influenced by the Turkish and French Baroque features. while different foreign new building typologies also appeared during this period, the case study examines selected Cairene palatial, residential, and public buildings. Thereupon, the paper discovers the main characteristic features of the Rumi transitional style, which appears to have been the domineering architectural style until the second half of the 19th century; yet, the time of appearance of authentic European styles.