Legitimising Spatial Quality in Old Quarters of Cairo

Cairo’s historical core has been relegated to a marginal position in the state’s vision for the city’s urban transformation. This paper investigates Cairo’s path towards legitimizing a modern spatial quality in one of its oldest quarters, Bulaq Abul Ela. The ambitions of space reproduction in Cairo are revealed during the course of an attempt to engender a debate as to how spatial quality in Bulaq was anticipated and controlled, and to what extent the planners’ conception of space reproduction actually responded to the people’s needs while creating a new spatial reality. By investigating original government correspondence, meeting reports and planning scheme records, this paper intends to uncover further meanings of control over the undesirable authentic fabric of Bulaq. Against this background, continuous dialogue for participation, shared commitments, and flexible planning approaches, have emerged as necessary tools through which the conception of a successful re-planning project may be achieved.