---> back to group page [[Green Infrastructure 2014 - Working Group H|working group H]]

'''''ALAZHAR PARK'''''

{| align="right" width="300pt" style="background:Gainsboro; color:black"
|-
| '''Name''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' AlAzhar park and surrounding neighborhood''
|-
| '''Location''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Cairo''
|-
| '''Country''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Egypt''
|-
| '''Authors''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Abdullah Arafa, Anna Martínez, Deleanu Florina, Martin Antonov''
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"| [[Image:AlAzhar_park_image.jpg|300px]]
|-
| ||style="background:Lavender"|
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"| {{#widget:GoogleMaps
|width=300
|height=200
|lat=30.0409685
|lng=31.265254099999993
|zoom=15
|centermarker=yes
|maptypecontrol=yes
|overviewmapcontrol=yes
|largemapcontrol=yes
|scalecontrol=yes
}}
|}

== Landscape and/or urban context of your case ==
*''Biogeography, cultural features, overall character, history and dynamics''
AlAzhar park is considered to be the green lung inside a very dense and crowded Metropolitan area of Cairo city, it was built on an old landfill site and designed to be a very attractive monument of the capital.
The most interesting thing about this park that its completely surrounded by grey infrastructure from all directions with no green connectivity whatsoever to any existing park or even natural area, even the near castle or the ElMokattam Hill situated inside Cairo city, which makes it an ideal starting point of establishing a green infrastructure in the surrounding of the park to the city borders. In addition to the fact that this park has a very high number of plant species and water features (though most are artificial) rendering it to be an ecological center of the city and the heart of the first steps of a green infrastructure that can be constructed through the city.

== What are the overall objectives of your design? What are the specific objectives for enhancing green infrastrucutre? ==

''Please give a short written argumentation (not more than 150 words). It is ok if you have different or even contradicting objectives within your group. Just make it explicit at the beginning of your process ''

The city of Cairo is full with history, beautiful biuldings and a beautiful park, wich represents the biggest green area in the city. The park is surrounded by grey building and is isolated from other green area. The purpose of this design is to connect green areas, to create new ones, to use water in a sustainable way and to make people communite more with each other.

== Analytical drawings ==
''Please add four analytical sketches/drawings (or montages/schemes) of your case. Every group member needs to contribute at least one drawing.''

<gallery caption="Analytical Drawings " widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Plansa1.jpg|The need of more green areas
Image:Park analysis.jpg|Park analysis
Image:Surrounding neighborhood analysis.jpg|Surrounding neighborhood analysis
Image:Topographic map.jpg|Topographic map
Image:Analytical Drawings GRW.jpg|Roof farming, green roofs and walls
Image:A_DA.jpg|connection via cycle path
Image:yourfilename4.jpg|analytical drawing 4
</gallery>

== Projective drawings ==
''Please add four projective sketches/drawings (or montages/schemes), of course with an emphasis on green infrastructure aspects. Every group member needs to contribute at least one drawing representing his/her individual ideas.''

<gallery caption="Projective Drawings " widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Plansa2.jpg|The concept of a woonerf
Image:Projective Drawing GRW 2.jpg|Greener Better
Image:P_DA.jpg|cycle path alongside greenery
Image:yourfilename4.jpg|projective drawing 4
</gallery>

== Design Synthesis ==
''Please analyse the individual approaches presented so far and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses (you may use the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_analysis SWOT]analysis model). Try to create a synthesis and represent it with a plan and some sketches. You can still use drawings/sketches.''

<gallery caption="Design Synthesis Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Swot_AlAzhar_Park.jpg|synthesis drawing 1
Image:yourfilename2.jpg|synthesis drawing 2
Image:yourfilename3.jpg|synthesis drawing 3
Image:yourfilename4.jpg|synthesis drawing 4
</gallery>

== Summary of the collaborative process ==

The potential of introducing greens spaces in the monotone color of urban buildings will bring positive outcome in so many ways. Also bringing back to live the old aqueduct and reusing/recycling water will give a significant push in the way of greener Cairo.

Most difficult was that most of us lack the sense of the environment in Cairo. Not knowing the range and the capacity of water supplement restrained us form foreseeing the possible obstacles. For the green roofs, in general we couldn’t have known the accessibility and the construction limitations of the building.

Collaborative design means solution to a problem viewed form different eyes, contributing to more clear observation of the problems and more accurate resolutions. As contributing to the project, the team work helps the individual development of the team members.

== Image Gallery ==
<gallery caption="Image Gallery" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Main axis high ground view.jpg|Main axis high ground view
Image:view of historical city.jpg|view of historical city
Image:Restaurants.jpg|Restaurants
Image:Greenary.JPG|Greenary
Image:Open spaces.JPG|Open spaces
Image:Artificial lake.JPG|Artificial lake
Image:Islamic style.JPG|Moorsih/Islamic design style
Image:Top.JPG|Local topography
</gallery>

== References ==
''* Please make sure that you give proper references of all external resources used.''

''* Do not use images of which you do not hold the copyright.''

''* Please add internet links to other resources if necessary.''

----
[[Category:Green Infrastructure 2014 Collaborative Design]]

About categories: You can add more categories with this tag: "[[Category:Category Name]]", add your categories

File:Swot AlAzhar Park.jpg

2015-02-22T17:17:12Z

Arafaa:

Green Infrastructure 2014 - Working Group H

2014-12-08T19:48:17Z

Arafaa: /* Collaborative Design Working Group H */

--> Back to [[Working_Groups_Seminar_Green_Infrastructure_2014|working group overview]]

''Dear working group members. This is your group page and you will be completing the template gradually as we move through the seminar. Each member has an individual page for documenting his/her personal case. You can also access your template for assignment 4 (the joint design) from here. Good luck and enjoy your collaboration!
''

== Assignment 2 - Lecture Concept Map ==
*''The list with the group distribution shows you which lecture your group is supposed to document in the concept map format.''
*''Please add your collaborative concept map here by replacing the dummy image. Your map needs to have a new file name:''

<gallery caption=" " widths="200px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
Image:yourfilename.jpg|''add your lecture title here by replacing this text''
</gallery>

== Assignment 3 - Green infrastructure potential in your environment ==

*'''Assigned: Tuesday, October 28'''
*'''Due: Monday, December 1'''

''There is one template page for each group member. The case could be a specific site in direct vicinity or a larger area in your region. The objective is to identify structures that have the potential to become elements of a green infrastructure strategy. ''

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Working Group H - Case Study 1|East Park]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 2|AlAzhar park]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 3|A potential rain garden]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 4|Henares river area - Madrid]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 5|Darabad Vallaey , Tehran]] ===

=== Presentation Slides Assignment 3 ===

<gallery caption=" " widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
File:GHSlide1.JPG|slide 1
File:GHSlide2.JPG|slide 2
File:GHSlide3.JPG|slide 3
File:GHSlide4.JPG|slide 4
File:GHSlide5.JPG|slide 5
File:GHSlide6.JPG|slide 6
File:GHSlide7.JPG|slide 7
File:GHSlide8.JPG|slide 8
File:GHSlide9.JPG|slide 9
File:GHSlide10.JPG|slide 10
</gallery>

== Assignment 4 - Collaborative Green Infrastructure Design ==

*'''Assigned: Tuesday, December 2'''
*'''Due: Tuesday, January 26'''

==='''[[AlAzhar park]]'''===

=== Presentation Slides Collaborative Design ===

<gallery caption=" " widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide1.jpg|Analytical Drawings
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide2.jpg|Projective Drawings
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide3.jpg|Design Synthesis
</gallery>

----

[[Category: Green Infrastructure 2014 Working Group]]

Green Infrastructure 2014 - Working Group A

2014-12-08T19:47:31Z

Arafaa: /* Collaborative Design Working Group A */

--> Back to [[Working_Groups_Seminar_Green_Infrastructure_2014|working group overview]]

''Dear working group members. This is your group page and you will be completing the template gradually as we move through the seminar. Each member has an individual page for documenting his/her personal case. You can also access your template for assignment 4 (the joint design) from here. Good luck and enjoy your collaboration!
''

== Assignment 2 - Lecture Concept Map ==
*''The list with the group distribution shows you which lecture your group is supposed to document in the concept map format.''
*''Please add your collaborative concept map here by replacing the dummy image. Your map needs to have a new file name:''

<gallery caption=" " widths="200px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
Image:Potential of Green Infrastructure.cmap.jpg|''Potential_of_Green_Infrastructure.cmap''
</gallery>

== Assignment 3 - Green infrastructure potential in your environment ==

*'''Assigned: Tuesday, October 28'''
*'''Due: Monday, December 1'''

''There is one template page for each group member. The case could be a specific site in direct vicinity or a larger area in your region. The objective is to identify structures that have the potential to become elements of a green infrastructure strategy. ''

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Working Group A - Case Study 1|Ohrid Lake Case Study 1 ]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group A - Case Study 2| Kurt Bärbig Hall Case Study 2]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group A - Case Study 3|Development of CRB Hill and surroundings Case Study 3]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group A - Case Study 4|Reviving old spine and river of Jerash]] ===

=== Presentation Slides Assignment 3 ===

<gallery caption=" " widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:ASlide2.JPG|slide 1
Image:ASlide3.JPG|slide 2
Image:ASlide4.JPG|slide 3
Image:ASlide5.JPG|slide 4
Image:ASlide6.JPG|slide 5
Image:ASlide7.JPG|slide 6
Image:ASlide8.JPG|slide 7
Image:ASlide9.JPG|slide 8
Image:ASlide10.JPG|slide 9

</gallery>

== Assignment 4 - Collaborative Green Infrastructure Design ==

*'''Assigned: Tuesday, December 2'''
*'''Due: Tuesday, January 26'''

==='''[[AlAzhar park]]'''===

=== Presentation Slides Collaborative Design ===

<gallery caption=" " widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide1.jpg|Analytical Drawings
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide2.jpg|Projective Drawings
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide3.jpg|Design Synthesis
</gallery>

----

[[Category: Green Infrastructure 2014 Working Group]]

Green Infrastructure 2014 - Working Group H

2014-12-08T19:44:52Z

Arafaa: /* ALAZHAR PARK AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD */

--> Back to [[Working_Groups_Seminar_Green_Infrastructure_2014|working group overview]]

''Dear working group members. This is your group page and you will be completing the template gradually as we move through the seminar. Each member has an individual page for documenting his/her personal case. You can also access your template for assignment 4 (the joint design) from here. Good luck and enjoy your collaboration!
''

== Assignment 2 - Lecture Concept Map ==
*''The list with the group distribution shows you which lecture your group is supposed to document in the concept map format.''
*''Please add your collaborative concept map here by replacing the dummy image. Your map needs to have a new file name:''

<gallery caption=" " widths="200px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
Image:yourfilename.jpg|''add your lecture title here by replacing this text''
</gallery>

== Assignment 3 - Green infrastructure potential in your environment ==

*'''Assigned: Tuesday, October 28'''
*'''Due: Monday, December 1'''

''There is one template page for each group member. The case could be a specific site in direct vicinity or a larger area in your region. The objective is to identify structures that have the potential to become elements of a green infrastructure strategy. ''

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Working Group H - Case Study 1|East Park]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 2|AlAzhar park]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 3|A potential rain garden]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 4|Henares river area - Madrid]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 5|Darabad Vallaey , Tehran]] ===

=== Presentation Slides Assignment 3 ===

<gallery caption=" " widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
File:GHSlide1.JPG|slide 1
File:GHSlide2.JPG|slide 2
File:GHSlide3.JPG|slide 3
File:GHSlide4.JPG|slide 4
File:GHSlide5.JPG|slide 5
File:GHSlide6.JPG|slide 6
File:GHSlide7.JPG|slide 7
File:GHSlide8.JPG|slide 8
File:GHSlide9.JPG|slide 9
File:GHSlide10.JPG|slide 10
</gallery>

== Assignment 4 - Collaborative Green Infrastructure Design ==

*'''Assigned: Tuesday, December 2'''
*'''Due: Tuesday, January 26'''

==='''[[Collaborative Green Infrastructure Design Group A|Collaborative Design Working Group H]]'''===

=== Presentation Slides Collaborative Design ===

<gallery caption=" " widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide1.jpg|Analytical Drawings
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide2.jpg|Projective Drawings
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide3.jpg|Design Synthesis
</gallery>

----

[[Category: Green Infrastructure 2014 Working Group]]

Green Infrastructure 2014 - Working Group H

2014-12-08T19:42:17Z

Arafaa: /* ALAZHAR PARK */

--> Back to [[Working_Groups_Seminar_Green_Infrastructure_2014|working group overview]]

''Dear working group members. This is your group page and you will be completing the template gradually as we move through the seminar. Each member has an individual page for documenting his/her personal case. You can also access your template for assignment 4 (the joint design) from here. Good luck and enjoy your collaboration!
''

== Assignment 2 - Lecture Concept Map ==
*''The list with the group distribution shows you which lecture your group is supposed to document in the concept map format.''
*''Please add your collaborative concept map here by replacing the dummy image. Your map needs to have a new file name:''

<gallery caption=" " widths="200px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
Image:yourfilename.jpg|''add your lecture title here by replacing this text''
</gallery>

== Assignment 3 - Green infrastructure potential in your environment ==

*'''Assigned: Tuesday, October 28'''
*'''Due: Monday, December 1'''

''There is one template page for each group member. The case could be a specific site in direct vicinity or a larger area in your region. The objective is to identify structures that have the potential to become elements of a green infrastructure strategy. ''

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Working Group H - Case Study 1|East Park]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 2|AlAzhar park]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 3|A potential rain garden]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 4|Henares river area - Madrid]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 5|Darabad Vallaey , Tehran]] ===

=== Presentation Slides Assignment 3 ===

<gallery caption=" " widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
File:GHSlide1.JPG|slide 1
File:GHSlide2.JPG|slide 2
File:GHSlide3.JPG|slide 3
File:GHSlide4.JPG|slide 4
File:GHSlide5.JPG|slide 5
File:GHSlide6.JPG|slide 6
File:GHSlide7.JPG|slide 7
File:GHSlide8.JPG|slide 8
File:GHSlide9.JPG|slide 9
File:GHSlide10.JPG|slide 10
</gallery>

== Assignment 4 - Collaborative Green Infrastructure Design ==

*'''Assigned: Tuesday, December 2'''
*'''Due: Tuesday, January 26'''

==='''[[ALAZHAR PARK AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD]]'''===

=== Presentation Slides Collaborative Design ===

<gallery caption=" " widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide1.jpg|Analytical Drawings
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide2.jpg|Projective Drawings
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide3.jpg|Design Synthesis
</gallery>

----

[[Category: Green Infrastructure 2014 Working Group]]

Green Infrastructure 2014 - Working Group H

2014-12-08T19:41:31Z

Arafaa: /* Collaborative Design Working Group H */

--> Back to [[Working_Groups_Seminar_Green_Infrastructure_2014|working group overview]]

''Dear working group members. This is your group page and you will be completing the template gradually as we move through the seminar. Each member has an individual page for documenting his/her personal case. You can also access your template for assignment 4 (the joint design) from here. Good luck and enjoy your collaboration!
''

== Assignment 2 - Lecture Concept Map ==
*''The list with the group distribution shows you which lecture your group is supposed to document in the concept map format.''
*''Please add your collaborative concept map here by replacing the dummy image. Your map needs to have a new file name:''

<gallery caption=" " widths="200px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
Image:yourfilename.jpg|''add your lecture title here by replacing this text''
</gallery>

== Assignment 3 - Green infrastructure potential in your environment ==

*'''Assigned: Tuesday, October 28'''
*'''Due: Monday, December 1'''

''There is one template page for each group member. The case could be a specific site in direct vicinity or a larger area in your region. The objective is to identify structures that have the potential to become elements of a green infrastructure strategy. ''

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Working Group H - Case Study 1|East Park]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 2|AlAzhar park]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 3|A potential rain garden]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 4|Henares river area - Madrid]] ===

=== [[Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 5|Darabad Vallaey , Tehran]] ===

=== Presentation Slides Assignment 3 ===

<gallery caption=" " widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
File:GHSlide1.JPG|slide 1
File:GHSlide2.JPG|slide 2
File:GHSlide3.JPG|slide 3
File:GHSlide4.JPG|slide 4
File:GHSlide5.JPG|slide 5
File:GHSlide6.JPG|slide 6
File:GHSlide7.JPG|slide 7
File:GHSlide8.JPG|slide 8
File:GHSlide9.JPG|slide 9
File:GHSlide10.JPG|slide 10
</gallery>

== Assignment 4 - Collaborative Green Infrastructure Design ==

*'''Assigned: Tuesday, December 2'''
*'''Due: Tuesday, January 26'''

==='''[[ALAZHAR PARK]]'''===

=== Presentation Slides Collaborative Design ===

<gallery caption=" " widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide1.jpg|Analytical Drawings
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide2.jpg|Projective Drawings
Image:GI_yourgroupname_ass4_slide3.jpg|Design Synthesis
</gallery>

----

[[Category: Green Infrastructure 2014 Working Group]]

Collaborative Green Infrastructure Design Group H

2014-12-08T19:38:47Z

Arafaa:

Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 2

2014-12-03T22:09:37Z

Arafaa: /* Projective drawings */

---> back to group page [[Green_Infrastructure_2014_-_Working_Group_H|working group H]]

'''ALAZHAR PARK'''
From a classic park to the heart of Green infrastcture in Cairo

{| align="right" width="300pt" style="background:Gainsboro; color:black"
|-
| '''Name''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' AlAzhar park and surrounding neighborhood''
|-
| '''Country''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' Egypt''
|-
| '''City''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Cairo''
|-
| '''Authors''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Abdullah Arafa''
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"| [[Image:AlAzhar_park_image.jpg|300px]]
|-
| ||style="background:Lavender"|
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"|{{#widget:GoogleMaps
|width=300
|height=240
|lat=30.0409685
|lng=31.265254099999993
|zoom=15
|centermarker=yes
|maptypecontrol=yes
|overviewmapcontrol=yes
|largemapcontrol=yes
|scalecontrol=yes
}}
|}

== Rationale: Why is this case interesting? ==

AlAzhar park is considered to be the green lung inside a very dense and crowded Metropolitan area of Cairo city, it was built on an old landfill site and designed to be a very attractive monument of the capital.

The most interesting thing about this park that its completely surrounded by grey infrastructure from all directions with no green connectivity whatsoever to any existing park or even natural area, even the near castle or the ElMokattam Hill situated inside Cairo city, which makes it an ideal starting point of establishing a green infrastructure in the surrounding of the park to the city borders. In addition to the fact that this park has a very high number of plant species and water features (though most are artificial) rendering it to be an ecological center of the city and the heart of the first steps of a green infrastructure that can be constructed through the city.

== Author's perspective ==

I am a student in landscape architecture in master degree with a B.Sc and M.Sc in horticulture and garden design, dealing with plants, people and land was my profession for more than seven years and I consider AlAzhar park to be one of the most interesting cases for me concerning landscape architecture and green infrastructure.

The park was built to serve as a monofunction recreation area for the people of Cairo city, with the abundance of open space and activities through the park. It's always very crowded due to the fact that very few public parks still exist in Cairo city and that people escape from grey dull grey infrastructure to this kind of green open space to spend their free time and socialize in such places, in addition to experiencing the fabulous view of the high ground of this park that overlooks the whole city of Cairo and the old historical Islamic monuments situated beside the park.

In my point of view, we can transfer the park from a monofunction structure to a multifunction entity that serves green infrastructure purposes, the existence of all landscape elements in this park makes it an ideal location for these goals, wide variety of plant species, different landuse patterns, high topographic fluctuations, different water features and high density of human contact are all elements that can be promoted for a multifunction landscape serving green infrastructure purposes in a city that does not have any kind of green infrastructure implemented in it's planning and perhaps one day this could be the heart of spreading green infrastructure through the whole city, and thus solving a lot of Cairo's environmental issues of pollution mainly and of coarse all other landscape aspects.

== Landscape and/or urban context of your case ==

'''INTRODUCTION'''

The origins of Al-Azhar Park project date to 1984, when the Aga Khan
Award for Architecture organised a conference on the subject of The
Expanding Metropolis: Coping with the Urban Growth of Cairo. At that time, the
city was confronted by the array of contemporary development challenges
faced by many cities, not least population pressures, a decline in the quality
of housing and the attendant problems these conditions create. Despite
these challenges, the question of how to reconcile conservation and
development was a fairly new one.
It was clear that Cairo needed more green space. One study found that the
amount of green space per inhabitant was roughly equivalent to the size of
a footprint. It is one of the lowest proportions in the world.
It was on the occasion of the conference that His Highness the Aga Khan
announced his decision to finance the creation of a park for the citizens of
the Egyptian capital. The only central location which was of suitable scale
and which lent itself to rehabilitation was the derelict Darassa site, a 30-
hectare (74 acre), 500-year-old mound of rubble in the inner city, between
the eastern edge of the 12th Century Ayyubid city and the 15th Century
Mamluk “City of the Dead”.
While the neighbouring district of Darb al-Ahmar was poor, it featured
one of the richest concentrations of Islamic art and architecture in the
world. The challenge was to revitalise this heritage in ways that turned
traditional notions about cultural monuments on their head - that rather
than being a drain on resources, they could be a stimulus for social and
economic development.
The Park project was therefore intended to be a case study for a variety of
development challenges, ranging from environmental rehabilitation to
cultural restoration. The objective was to create models of development
that could be replicated in many other settings, and in particular in the
historic cities of the Islamic world. Almost one-third of historic cities on
UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites are in the Islamic World. Many face
pressures similar to those of Cairo.

'''HISTORY'''

When the city of Cairo was rebuilt and laid out by the Fatimids in 969–974
(358–363 Hijri), and named al-Quahira (“the victorious”), 20 percent of it
– roughly 30 hectares – was devoted to open space. East of the al-Mu’izz
palace, horse-riding grounds were turned into a royal park and garden and
a large central space to the west was dedicated to military parades and
religious gatherings. A dozen years later, al-Azhar (“the Radiant”) mosque
and theological college were built (989). During the Fatimid, Ayyubid and
Mamluk periods, Cairo was one of the most advanced cities of learning in
the Islamic world. Many landmark buildings around the Park, including
the Citadel, testify to the glory of mediaeval Cairo.
In the first half of the twentieth century, Cairo was still a city of villas and
gardens. In the last 50 years, however, population pressures and high-rise
construction built to meet the consequent demand have made it one of the
largest and most complex cities in the world. Its population has tripled
since 1952, and today greater Cairo has around 17 million people.
The growth was compounded by an urban dynamic characterised by
disinvestment in the city centre areas. The combination of less investment
– particularly in the maintenance and development of housing – and an
influx of people, created stresses in the urban fabric that condemned many
people to lower standards of living. It was widely assumed that the resulting
downward spiral, ending in urban slums, was inevitable. The Aga Khan
Trust for Culture set out to prove that those conditions could be reversed
and that positive change could be sustained.

'''FROM A WASTELAND INTO A PARK'''

When the project of turning a rubble dump into a park that would act as a
catalyst for development was first mentioned 20 years ago, it was considered
outlandish. At that time, the concept of environmental improvement in
cities was limited to planting trees in a few streets. Since then, many cities,
notably Barcelona, have transformed neglected areas into vibrant city
centres, but in the early 1980s, the concept was still new and untested.
Despite scepticism, the local authorities approved the choice of the site
and the first plans were drawn up. The work was delayed by the integration
into the Park site of three large fresh water reservoirs, each 80 metres in
diameter and 14 metres deep. But in 1990 a protocol was signed between
the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Governorate of Cairo that led to
new plans taking into account the water tanks.
In 1992, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture established its Historic Cities
Support Programme, to implement urban rehabilitation projects in different
parts of the Islamic world. Cairo became its most demanding project,
encompassing not only the construction of the Park but the restoration of
the 1.5 kilometre section of the Ayyubid wall revealed by the removal of
the accumulated rubble. It also included the socioeconomic rehabilitation
of the neighbouring Historic City, which required launching of numerous
restoration and community-initiated development projects. The larger area
development project became a testing ground, and a case study, for finding
solutions to challenges ranging from the technical demands of physical
restoration to the equally challenging issues of socioeconomic development.

'''ARCHITECTURE'''

The three buildings (Citadel View Restaurant, Lakeside Café and entrance
building) were the object of a competition between seven international and
Egyptian architectural firms. The Citadel View Restaurant was designed
by Egyptian architects Rami el-Dahan and Soheir Farid. The Lakeside Café
project was awarded to Serge Santelli, Paris.
The total surface of the entrance building is 860 m2, and the Citadel View
Restaurant site is 3965 m2, including the external terraces. The Lakeside
Café has over 1500 m2 usable surface. All buildings have masonry bearing
walls with a high-sand-content limestone cladding, marble and stone
pavements, and marble and ceramic tiles. All the Park buildings rest on
piles or rafts. Nearly all materials used are of Egyptian origin, as is all the
furniture, mostly made by local carpenters in Darb al-Ahmar.

'''LANDSCAPE FEATURES'''

The Park’s site was designed by Sites International, an Egyptian landscape
architectural firm. Most features of the Park were based on the traditional
use of public spaces in Islamic contexts. This legacy can be seen in a variety
of styles from different periods and different regions. It is reflected in the
bustan-like orchard spaces, the shaded sitting areas (takhtaboush) and the
Fatimid archways used in the construction of Park buildings, among other
elements. Persian and Timurid elements are also reflected in the water
channels and fountains. Specific features of the Park include:

· The Royal Palm Promenade

· Geometric Garden

· Southern lookout

· Children’s play area

· Children’s amphitheatre and stage

· Northern lookout plaza and kiosk

· Water cascade garden

· Lake

· Orchard

· Playing fields

· Historical wall promenade and amphitheatre

The fountain and stream-lake are divided into two systems. The cascade
and fountain system, which is approximately 90 metres long, is run by two
pumps that re-circulate the water. The stream and lake are fed directly by
raw Nile water from a nearby municipal line, a pipe measuring
approximately 170 metres off site. The lake water is then filtered
mechanically and pumped throughout the Park’s irrigation main line. The
total length of the main and lateral irrigation lines within the Park site
measures approximately 10 kilometres.
The Park has all necessary amenities, such as ramps and toilet facilities, for
the handicapped. The marble benches and lighting were designed by Sites
International and built by local artisans using local materials.

'''HORTICULTURE'''

The realities of seasonal high temperatures, low humidity, scant rainfall
and desert winds imposed severe conditions on the Park’s plants and trees.
Specialist plant nurseries were created, both on site and outside Cairo, to
identify the best plants and trees for the soil, terrain and climate. The
nurseries also carried out the propagation of the necessary plants to furnish
the Park – 89 varieties of trees, 51 shrubs, five sorts of grass, 14 climbers,
50 groundcover plants and 26 varieties of succulents. Over 655,000 young
plants from cuttings and seed were planted. Most of the lawn was planted
elsewhere and brought in as turf. The lawn areas required four metric
tonnes of grass seed.
The nurseries contain over two million plants and trees, which can be used
not only for replenishing the Park’s vegetation, but for planting in pots in
the courtyards and roof terraces of the historic city, for sale to official and
private garden contractors and for visitors to the Park. A sales outlet for
plants is envisioned on site.

Perhaps the most interesting local varieties of trees are Sycamores, Zyziphus
and four types of Acacia. Other species include the Cassia smallii and Sophoras
arizonica and japonica trees. The non-Egyptian native plants were developed
from stock in the country and adapted to local conditions. A good deal of
experimentation was required to find hybrids that would withstand the
difficult soil conditions found at the Park. Reflecting garden traditions in
both the East and West, many medicinal and culinary herbs were planted in
the Park, including laurel, chamomile, mint, lemon grass, coriander and
thyme. A wide variety of roses have been grafted onto Rosa canina rootstock
to ensure that they will thrive in Park conditions.
The Park utilises an irrigation system providing water through drippers
and sprinklers. The irrigation is regulated by a special weather station in
the Park which calculates the water needs based on temperature, humidity
and wind speed.

<gallery caption= "Illustrations" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
Image:Historical city view.jpg|Historical city view
Image:Park map.jpg|Park map
Image:artificial river.jpg|artificial river

</gallery>

== Analytical drawings ==

<gallery caption="Analytical Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Park analysis.jpg|Park analysis
Image:Surrounding neighborhood analysis.jpg|Surrounding neighborhood analysis
Image:Topographic map.jpg|Topographic map
</gallery>

== Green Infrastructure benefits for this site ==

- Having a kind of an artificial river and lake is very effective for connecting water from this site to the Nile river situated in the western side of the park, in addition to having the old historical Aqueduct that was supposed to connect water from the old historical cairo to the Nile river, this connection could be more of an ecological connection and thus having marine river life through the city.

- The abundance of tree species is a good factor for the beginning of establishing a green infrastructure entity that we could develop nodes and corridors of green connections starting from the park and ending somewhere in the borders of the city, this will promote bird life and will enhance birds mobility through the city, in addition to more species like insects or so may thrive under these variety of plant species. Thus achieving more environmental balance and more natural control of invasive species that harm Egyptian community.

- Eventually increasing green space will lead to better ecological conditions like less pollution, less carbon dioxide rates, more clean air ... etc. of.

- The impact on social life will be dramatic too; the stress on citizens will decrease significantly first because of more relaxing green space that can be offered with connections to important hot spots through the city, that people may start to choose these green routes instead of their regular routes to their daily activities, resulting in an overall improvement in the productivity and welfare of Cairo residents.

- Sustainability is a great issue in Cairo, by increasing the green infrastructure to grey infrastructure ratio; people will start to have social awareness of sustainability and the need of proper use of resources, water management programs could then be implemented in our system and the life style of the citizens could be altered from intensive building and vertical development to more sustainable environmental friendly development that will benefit future generations.

== Potential for multifunctionality ==

The function of the park now is merely recreation and revenue collection, hundreds of visitors go to the park daily as its the only open space relaxing environment in the vicinity, by taking advantage of the site location, available resources and increased people contact much can be achieved; the following could summarize the other functions that could be achieved:

- Bringing marine life from the Nile river is a vital issue enhancing the ecosystems in side the city and providing more recreational type of landscape, a new ecological approach for the locals living in the city.

- Reusing of the historical Aqueduct for green infrastructure purposes is a new trend, as this connection was very important (currently neglected) to bring water into the old Cairo and to the defensive fortress situated beside AlAzhar park, so a kind of historical restoration of a partly demolished structure but in an ecological, cultural and historical point of view; bringing together these three elements in one entity that leads finally to our park.

- The creating of nodes and green connections starting from the park taking advantage of the high number of tree species already existing, this brings together a safe passage for several bird species that do not exist in the city due to the dominating concrete structure of the city. I addition to improving as well the ecosystem implemented inside the city that leads eventually to an environmental balance for the control of other invasive insects or rats that exist in high number through all neighborhoods.

- Also these nodes and green connections offers alternative routes of people for their daily activities, experiencing nature in its nes implemented form and increasing awareness for people of the high need of green infrastructure through the city as they experience new ecological and sustainable values that they begin to recognize the need of further development in the ecological manner.

- The park is situated inside the historical part of Cairo, and so as represented in the projective drawings, these green connections could take the style of the old Islamic culture of being constructed in polygons shape; leading to the emphasis of the importance of the old city as a cultural heritage that need preserving and modernizing, especially that the design style of the AlAzhar park is made in this kind of old Islamic Moorish style.

- Finally increasing the green to grey ratio will lead to better environmental conditions such as decreasing CO2, CO and other toxic gases levels, and so improving the overall health conditions of the locals and thus lesser spending on health and thus its more economic for the authorities.

== Projective drawings ==

Begigng to estalsih the green nodes anf find places for them in this condensed structure is the greates challange and may take the first two years to find such locaions (may be even more) while in parallel the search for routes for the three water connections and the begining of reconstruction of the historical aqueduct.

After 10 - 15 years the three stages of development should be accomplished in its pruposed structure, in addtiion to bringing new animal habitats to this green and water water spots to achieve finally the propoosed pentagon green structure illustrated below.

<gallery caption="Projective Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Green infrastructure evelopement concept.jpg|Green infrastructure evelopement concept
Image:Development stages.jpg|Development stages
Image:Potential Species and humans mobility.jpg|Potential Species and humans mobility
Image:Aqueduct water connection.jpg|Aqueduct water connection
</gallery>

== Summary and conclusion ==

From this site much can be achieved, turning around the landscape of the park and its surrounding neighborhood from a dense bulk of concrete with no open or green space into a fully developed green infrastructure entity serving multifunctions of ecology, society and recreation values will add much to the well fare of local people and increase overall content ratios for the whole city.

== Image Gallery ==

<gallery caption="Image Gallery" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Main axis high ground view.jpg|Main axis high ground view
Image:view of historical city.jpg|view of historical city
Image:Restaurants.jpg|Restaurants
Image:Greenary.JPG|Greenary
Image:Open spaces.JPG|Open spaces
Image:Artificial lake.JPG|Artificial lake
Image:Islamic style.JPG|Moorsih/Islamic design style
Image:Top.JPG|Local topography
</gallery>

== References ==

- Al-Azhar park, Cairo and the revitalisation of Darb Al-Ahmar, 2005

- Egyptian Ministry of tourism website

- Touristic guide for Egypt, 2014

----
[[Category:Green Infrastructure 2014 Case Study]]

About categories: You can add more categories with this tag: "[[Category:Category Name]]", add your categories

Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 2

2014-12-03T21:54:54Z

Arafaa: /* References */

---> back to group page [[Green_Infrastructure_2014_-_Working_Group_H|working group H]]

'''ALAZHAR PARK'''
From a classic park to the heart of Green infrastcture in Cairo

{| align="right" width="300pt" style="background:Gainsboro; color:black"
|-
| '''Name''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' AlAzhar park and surrounding neighborhood''
|-
| '''Country''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' Egypt''
|-
| '''City''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Cairo''
|-
| '''Authors''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Abdullah Arafa''
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"| [[Image:AlAzhar_park_image.jpg|300px]]
|-
| ||style="background:Lavender"|
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"|{{#widget:GoogleMaps
|width=300
|height=240
|lat=30.0409685
|lng=31.265254099999993
|zoom=15
|centermarker=yes
|maptypecontrol=yes
|overviewmapcontrol=yes
|largemapcontrol=yes
|scalecontrol=yes
}}
|}

== Rationale: Why is this case interesting? ==

AlAzhar park is considered to be the green lung inside a very dense and crowded Metropolitan area of Cairo city, it was built on an old landfill site and designed to be a very attractive monument of the capital.

The most interesting thing about this park that its completely surrounded by grey infrastructure from all directions with no green connectivity whatsoever to any existing park or even natural area, even the near castle or the ElMokattam Hill situated inside Cairo city, which makes it an ideal starting point of establishing a green infrastructure in the surrounding of the park to the city borders. In addition to the fact that this park has a very high number of plant species and water features (though most are artificial) rendering it to be an ecological center of the city and the heart of the first steps of a green infrastructure that can be constructed through the city.

== Author's perspective ==

I am a student in landscape architecture in master degree with a B.Sc and M.Sc in horticulture and garden design, dealing with plants, people and land was my profession for more than seven years and I consider AlAzhar park to be one of the most interesting cases for me concerning landscape architecture and green infrastructure.

The park was built to serve as a monofunction recreation area for the people of Cairo city, with the abundance of open space and activities through the park. It's always very crowded due to the fact that very few public parks still exist in Cairo city and that people escape from grey dull grey infrastructure to this kind of green open space to spend their free time and socialize in such places, in addition to experiencing the fabulous view of the high ground of this park that overlooks the whole city of Cairo and the old historical Islamic monuments situated beside the park.

In my point of view, we can transfer the park from a monofunction structure to a multifunction entity that serves green infrastructure purposes, the existence of all landscape elements in this park makes it an ideal location for these goals, wide variety of plant species, different landuse patterns, high topographic fluctuations, different water features and high density of human contact are all elements that can be promoted for a multifunction landscape serving green infrastructure purposes in a city that does not have any kind of green infrastructure implemented in it's planning and perhaps one day this could be the heart of spreading green infrastructure through the whole city, and thus solving a lot of Cairo's environmental issues of pollution mainly and of coarse all other landscape aspects.

== Landscape and/or urban context of your case ==

'''INTRODUCTION'''

The origins of Al-Azhar Park project date to 1984, when the Aga Khan
Award for Architecture organised a conference on the subject of The
Expanding Metropolis: Coping with the Urban Growth of Cairo. At that time, the
city was confronted by the array of contemporary development challenges
faced by many cities, not least population pressures, a decline in the quality
of housing and the attendant problems these conditions create. Despite
these challenges, the question of how to reconcile conservation and
development was a fairly new one.
It was clear that Cairo needed more green space. One study found that the
amount of green space per inhabitant was roughly equivalent to the size of
a footprint. It is one of the lowest proportions in the world.
It was on the occasion of the conference that His Highness the Aga Khan
announced his decision to finance the creation of a park for the citizens of
the Egyptian capital. The only central location which was of suitable scale
and which lent itself to rehabilitation was the derelict Darassa site, a 30-
hectare (74 acre), 500-year-old mound of rubble in the inner city, between
the eastern edge of the 12th Century Ayyubid city and the 15th Century
Mamluk “City of the Dead”.
While the neighbouring district of Darb al-Ahmar was poor, it featured
one of the richest concentrations of Islamic art and architecture in the
world. The challenge was to revitalise this heritage in ways that turned
traditional notions about cultural monuments on their head - that rather
than being a drain on resources, they could be a stimulus for social and
economic development.
The Park project was therefore intended to be a case study for a variety of
development challenges, ranging from environmental rehabilitation to
cultural restoration. The objective was to create models of development
that could be replicated in many other settings, and in particular in the
historic cities of the Islamic world. Almost one-third of historic cities on
UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites are in the Islamic World. Many face
pressures similar to those of Cairo.

'''HISTORY'''

When the city of Cairo was rebuilt and laid out by the Fatimids in 969–974
(358–363 Hijri), and named al-Quahira (“the victorious”), 20 percent of it
– roughly 30 hectares – was devoted to open space. East of the al-Mu’izz
palace, horse-riding grounds were turned into a royal park and garden and
a large central space to the west was dedicated to military parades and
religious gatherings. A dozen years later, al-Azhar (“the Radiant”) mosque
and theological college were built (989). During the Fatimid, Ayyubid and
Mamluk periods, Cairo was one of the most advanced cities of learning in
the Islamic world. Many landmark buildings around the Park, including
the Citadel, testify to the glory of mediaeval Cairo.
In the first half of the twentieth century, Cairo was still a city of villas and
gardens. In the last 50 years, however, population pressures and high-rise
construction built to meet the consequent demand have made it one of the
largest and most complex cities in the world. Its population has tripled
since 1952, and today greater Cairo has around 17 million people.
The growth was compounded by an urban dynamic characterised by
disinvestment in the city centre areas. The combination of less investment
– particularly in the maintenance and development of housing – and an
influx of people, created stresses in the urban fabric that condemned many
people to lower standards of living. It was widely assumed that the resulting
downward spiral, ending in urban slums, was inevitable. The Aga Khan
Trust for Culture set out to prove that those conditions could be reversed
and that positive change could be sustained.

'''FROM A WASTELAND INTO A PARK'''

When the project of turning a rubble dump into a park that would act as a
catalyst for development was first mentioned 20 years ago, it was considered
outlandish. At that time, the concept of environmental improvement in
cities was limited to planting trees in a few streets. Since then, many cities,
notably Barcelona, have transformed neglected areas into vibrant city
centres, but in the early 1980s, the concept was still new and untested.
Despite scepticism, the local authorities approved the choice of the site
and the first plans were drawn up. The work was delayed by the integration
into the Park site of three large fresh water reservoirs, each 80 metres in
diameter and 14 metres deep. But in 1990 a protocol was signed between
the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Governorate of Cairo that led to
new plans taking into account the water tanks.
In 1992, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture established its Historic Cities
Support Programme, to implement urban rehabilitation projects in different
parts of the Islamic world. Cairo became its most demanding project,
encompassing not only the construction of the Park but the restoration of
the 1.5 kilometre section of the Ayyubid wall revealed by the removal of
the accumulated rubble. It also included the socioeconomic rehabilitation
of the neighbouring Historic City, which required launching of numerous
restoration and community-initiated development projects. The larger area
development project became a testing ground, and a case study, for finding
solutions to challenges ranging from the technical demands of physical
restoration to the equally challenging issues of socioeconomic development.

'''ARCHITECTURE'''

The three buildings (Citadel View Restaurant, Lakeside Café and entrance
building) were the object of a competition between seven international and
Egyptian architectural firms. The Citadel View Restaurant was designed
by Egyptian architects Rami el-Dahan and Soheir Farid. The Lakeside Café
project was awarded to Serge Santelli, Paris.
The total surface of the entrance building is 860 m2, and the Citadel View
Restaurant site is 3965 m2, including the external terraces. The Lakeside
Café has over 1500 m2 usable surface. All buildings have masonry bearing
walls with a high-sand-content limestone cladding, marble and stone
pavements, and marble and ceramic tiles. All the Park buildings rest on
piles or rafts. Nearly all materials used are of Egyptian origin, as is all the
furniture, mostly made by local carpenters in Darb al-Ahmar.

'''LANDSCAPE FEATURES'''

The Park’s site was designed by Sites International, an Egyptian landscape
architectural firm. Most features of the Park were based on the traditional
use of public spaces in Islamic contexts. This legacy can be seen in a variety
of styles from different periods and different regions. It is reflected in the
bustan-like orchard spaces, the shaded sitting areas (takhtaboush) and the
Fatimid archways used in the construction of Park buildings, among other
elements. Persian and Timurid elements are also reflected in the water
channels and fountains. Specific features of the Park include:

· The Royal Palm Promenade

· Geometric Garden

· Southern lookout

· Children’s play area

· Children’s amphitheatre and stage

· Northern lookout plaza and kiosk

· Water cascade garden

· Lake

· Orchard

· Playing fields

· Historical wall promenade and amphitheatre

The fountain and stream-lake are divided into two systems. The cascade
and fountain system, which is approximately 90 metres long, is run by two
pumps that re-circulate the water. The stream and lake are fed directly by
raw Nile water from a nearby municipal line, a pipe measuring
approximately 170 metres off site. The lake water is then filtered
mechanically and pumped throughout the Park’s irrigation main line. The
total length of the main and lateral irrigation lines within the Park site
measures approximately 10 kilometres.
The Park has all necessary amenities, such as ramps and toilet facilities, for
the handicapped. The marble benches and lighting were designed by Sites
International and built by local artisans using local materials.

'''HORTICULTURE'''

The realities of seasonal high temperatures, low humidity, scant rainfall
and desert winds imposed severe conditions on the Park’s plants and trees.
Specialist plant nurseries were created, both on site and outside Cairo, to
identify the best plants and trees for the soil, terrain and climate. The
nurseries also carried out the propagation of the necessary plants to furnish
the Park – 89 varieties of trees, 51 shrubs, five sorts of grass, 14 climbers,
50 groundcover plants and 26 varieties of succulents. Over 655,000 young
plants from cuttings and seed were planted. Most of the lawn was planted
elsewhere and brought in as turf. The lawn areas required four metric
tonnes of grass seed.
The nurseries contain over two million plants and trees, which can be used
not only for replenishing the Park’s vegetation, but for planting in pots in
the courtyards and roof terraces of the historic city, for sale to official and
private garden contractors and for visitors to the Park. A sales outlet for
plants is envisioned on site.

Perhaps the most interesting local varieties of trees are Sycamores, Zyziphus
and four types of Acacia. Other species include the Cassia smallii and Sophoras
arizonica and japonica trees. The non-Egyptian native plants were developed
from stock in the country and adapted to local conditions. A good deal of
experimentation was required to find hybrids that would withstand the
difficult soil conditions found at the Park. Reflecting garden traditions in
both the East and West, many medicinal and culinary herbs were planted in
the Park, including laurel, chamomile, mint, lemon grass, coriander and
thyme. A wide variety of roses have been grafted onto Rosa canina rootstock
to ensure that they will thrive in Park conditions.
The Park utilises an irrigation system providing water through drippers
and sprinklers. The irrigation is regulated by a special weather station in
the Park which calculates the water needs based on temperature, humidity
and wind speed.

<gallery caption= "Illustrations" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
Image:Historical city view.jpg|Historical city view
Image:Park map.jpg|Park map
Image:artificial river.jpg|artificial river

</gallery>

== Analytical drawings ==

<gallery caption="Analytical Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Park analysis.jpg|Park analysis
Image:Surrounding neighborhood analysis.jpg|Surrounding neighborhood analysis
Image:Topographic map.jpg|Topographic map
</gallery>

== Green Infrastructure benefits for this site ==

- Having a kind of an artificial river and lake is very effective for connecting water from this site to the Nile river situated in the western side of the park, in addition to having the old historical Aqueduct that was supposed to connect water from the old historical cairo to the Nile river, this connection could be more of an ecological connection and thus having marine river life through the city.

- The abundance of tree species is a good factor for the beginning of establishing a green infrastructure entity that we could develop nodes and corridors of green connections starting from the park and ending somewhere in the borders of the city, this will promote bird life and will enhance birds mobility through the city, in addition to more species like insects or so may thrive under these variety of plant species. Thus achieving more environmental balance and more natural control of invasive species that harm Egyptian community.

- Eventually increasing green space will lead to better ecological conditions like less pollution, less carbon dioxide rates, more clean air ... etc. of.

- The impact on social life will be dramatic too; the stress on citizens will decrease significantly first because of more relaxing green space that can be offered with connections to important hot spots through the city, that people may start to choose these green routes instead of their regular routes to their daily activities, resulting in an overall improvement in the productivity and welfare of Cairo residents.

- Sustainability is a great issue in Cairo, by increasing the green infrastructure to grey infrastructure ratio; people will start to have social awareness of sustainability and the need of proper use of resources, water management programs could then be implemented in our system and the life style of the citizens could be altered from intensive building and vertical development to more sustainable environmental friendly development that will benefit future generations.

== Potential for multifunctionality ==

The function of the park now is merely recreation and revenue collection, hundreds of visitors go to the park daily as its the only open space relaxing environment in the vicinity, by taking advantage of the site location, available resources and increased people contact much can be achieved; the following could summarize the other functions that could be achieved:

- Bringing marine life from the Nile river is a vital issue enhancing the ecosystems in side the city and providing more recreational type of landscape, a new ecological approach for the locals living in the city.

- Reusing of the historical Aqueduct for green infrastructure purposes is a new trend, as this connection was very important (currently neglected) to bring water into the old Cairo and to the defensive fortress situated beside AlAzhar park, so a kind of historical restoration of a partly demolished structure but in an ecological, cultural and historical point of view; bringing together these three elements in one entity that leads finally to our park.

- The creating of nodes and green connections starting from the park taking advantage of the high number of tree species already existing, this brings together a safe passage for several bird species that do not exist in the city due to the dominating concrete structure of the city. I addition to improving as well the ecosystem implemented inside the city that leads eventually to an environmental balance for the control of other invasive insects or rats that exist in high number through all neighborhoods.

- Also these nodes and green connections offers alternative routes of people for their daily activities, experiencing nature in its nes implemented form and increasing awareness for people of the high need of green infrastructure through the city as they experience new ecological and sustainable values that they begin to recognize the need of further development in the ecological manner.

- The park is situated inside the historical part of Cairo, and so as represented in the projective drawings, these green connections could take the style of the old Islamic culture of being constructed in polygons shape; leading to the emphasis of the importance of the old city as a cultural heritage that need preserving and modernizing, especially that the design style of the AlAzhar park is made in this kind of old Islamic Moorish style.

- Finally increasing the green to grey ratio will lead to better environmental conditions such as decreasing CO2, CO and other toxic gases levels, and so improving the overall health conditions of the locals and thus lesser spending on health and thus its more economic for the authorities.

== Projective drawings ==
* ''How would you like this case to change in the near future? (in 1-2 years)''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

* ''And how could it look like in 10-15 years?''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

<gallery caption="Projective Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Green infrastructure evelopement concept.jpg|Green infrastructure evelopement concept
Image:Development stages.jpg|Development stages
Image:Potential Species and humans mobility.jpg|Potential Species and humans mobility
Image:Aqueduct water connection.jpg|Aqueduct water connection
</gallery>

== Summary and conclusion ==

From this site much can be achieved, turning around the landscape of the park and its surrounding neighborhood from a dense bulk of concrete with no open or green space into a fully developed green infrastructure entity serving multifunctions of ecology, society and recreation values will add much to the well fare of local people and increase overall content ratios for the whole city.

== Image Gallery ==

<gallery caption="Image Gallery" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Main axis high ground view.jpg|Main axis high ground view
Image:view of historical city.jpg|view of historical city
Image:Restaurants.jpg|Restaurants
Image:Greenary.JPG|Greenary
Image:Open spaces.JPG|Open spaces
Image:Artificial lake.JPG|Artificial lake
Image:Islamic style.JPG|Moorsih/Islamic design style
Image:Top.JPG|Local topography
</gallery>

== References ==

- Al-Azhar park, Cairo and the revitalisation of Darb Al-Ahmar, 2005

- Egyptian Ministry of tourism website

- Touristic guide for Egypt, 2014

----
[[Category:Green Infrastructure 2014 Case Study]]

About categories: You can add more categories with this tag: "[[Category:Category Name]]", add your categories

Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 2

2014-12-03T21:47:38Z

Arafaa: /* Image Gallery */

---> back to group page [[Green_Infrastructure_2014_-_Working_Group_H|working group H]]

'''ALAZHAR PARK'''
From a classic park to the heart of Green infrastcture in Cairo

{| align="right" width="300pt" style="background:Gainsboro; color:black"
|-
| '''Name''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' AlAzhar park and surrounding neighborhood''
|-
| '''Country''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' Egypt''
|-
| '''City''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Cairo''
|-
| '''Authors''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Abdullah Arafa''
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"| [[Image:AlAzhar_park_image.jpg|300px]]
|-
| ||style="background:Lavender"|
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"|{{#widget:GoogleMaps
|width=300
|height=240
|lat=30.0409685
|lng=31.265254099999993
|zoom=15
|centermarker=yes
|maptypecontrol=yes
|overviewmapcontrol=yes
|largemapcontrol=yes
|scalecontrol=yes
}}
|}

== Rationale: Why is this case interesting? ==

AlAzhar park is considered to be the green lung inside a very dense and crowded Metropolitan area of Cairo city, it was built on an old landfill site and designed to be a very attractive monument of the capital.

The most interesting thing about this park that its completely surrounded by grey infrastructure from all directions with no green connectivity whatsoever to any existing park or even natural area, even the near castle or the ElMokattam Hill situated inside Cairo city, which makes it an ideal starting point of establishing a green infrastructure in the surrounding of the park to the city borders. In addition to the fact that this park has a very high number of plant species and water features (though most are artificial) rendering it to be an ecological center of the city and the heart of the first steps of a green infrastructure that can be constructed through the city.

== Author's perspective ==

I am a student in landscape architecture in master degree with a B.Sc and M.Sc in horticulture and garden design, dealing with plants, people and land was my profession for more than seven years and I consider AlAzhar park to be one of the most interesting cases for me concerning landscape architecture and green infrastructure.

The park was built to serve as a monofunction recreation area for the people of Cairo city, with the abundance of open space and activities through the park. It's always very crowded due to the fact that very few public parks still exist in Cairo city and that people escape from grey dull grey infrastructure to this kind of green open space to spend their free time and socialize in such places, in addition to experiencing the fabulous view of the high ground of this park that overlooks the whole city of Cairo and the old historical Islamic monuments situated beside the park.

In my point of view, we can transfer the park from a monofunction structure to a multifunction entity that serves green infrastructure purposes, the existence of all landscape elements in this park makes it an ideal location for these goals, wide variety of plant species, different landuse patterns, high topographic fluctuations, different water features and high density of human contact are all elements that can be promoted for a multifunction landscape serving green infrastructure purposes in a city that does not have any kind of green infrastructure implemented in it's planning and perhaps one day this could be the heart of spreading green infrastructure through the whole city, and thus solving a lot of Cairo's environmental issues of pollution mainly and of coarse all other landscape aspects.

== Landscape and/or urban context of your case ==

'''INTRODUCTION'''

The origins of Al-Azhar Park project date to 1984, when the Aga Khan
Award for Architecture organised a conference on the subject of The
Expanding Metropolis: Coping with the Urban Growth of Cairo. At that time, the
city was confronted by the array of contemporary development challenges
faced by many cities, not least population pressures, a decline in the quality
of housing and the attendant problems these conditions create. Despite
these challenges, the question of how to reconcile conservation and
development was a fairly new one.
It was clear that Cairo needed more green space. One study found that the
amount of green space per inhabitant was roughly equivalent to the size of
a footprint. It is one of the lowest proportions in the world.
It was on the occasion of the conference that His Highness the Aga Khan
announced his decision to finance the creation of a park for the citizens of
the Egyptian capital. The only central location which was of suitable scale
and which lent itself to rehabilitation was the derelict Darassa site, a 30-
hectare (74 acre), 500-year-old mound of rubble in the inner city, between
the eastern edge of the 12th Century Ayyubid city and the 15th Century
Mamluk “City of the Dead”.
While the neighbouring district of Darb al-Ahmar was poor, it featured
one of the richest concentrations of Islamic art and architecture in the
world. The challenge was to revitalise this heritage in ways that turned
traditional notions about cultural monuments on their head - that rather
than being a drain on resources, they could be a stimulus for social and
economic development.
The Park project was therefore intended to be a case study for a variety of
development challenges, ranging from environmental rehabilitation to
cultural restoration. The objective was to create models of development
that could be replicated in many other settings, and in particular in the
historic cities of the Islamic world. Almost one-third of historic cities on
UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites are in the Islamic World. Many face
pressures similar to those of Cairo.

'''HISTORY'''

When the city of Cairo was rebuilt and laid out by the Fatimids in 969–974
(358–363 Hijri), and named al-Quahira (“the victorious”), 20 percent of it
– roughly 30 hectares – was devoted to open space. East of the al-Mu’izz
palace, horse-riding grounds were turned into a royal park and garden and
a large central space to the west was dedicated to military parades and
religious gatherings. A dozen years later, al-Azhar (“the Radiant”) mosque
and theological college were built (989). During the Fatimid, Ayyubid and
Mamluk periods, Cairo was one of the most advanced cities of learning in
the Islamic world. Many landmark buildings around the Park, including
the Citadel, testify to the glory of mediaeval Cairo.
In the first half of the twentieth century, Cairo was still a city of villas and
gardens. In the last 50 years, however, population pressures and high-rise
construction built to meet the consequent demand have made it one of the
largest and most complex cities in the world. Its population has tripled
since 1952, and today greater Cairo has around 17 million people.
The growth was compounded by an urban dynamic characterised by
disinvestment in the city centre areas. The combination of less investment
– particularly in the maintenance and development of housing – and an
influx of people, created stresses in the urban fabric that condemned many
people to lower standards of living. It was widely assumed that the resulting
downward spiral, ending in urban slums, was inevitable. The Aga Khan
Trust for Culture set out to prove that those conditions could be reversed
and that positive change could be sustained.

'''FROM A WASTELAND INTO A PARK'''

When the project of turning a rubble dump into a park that would act as a
catalyst for development was first mentioned 20 years ago, it was considered
outlandish. At that time, the concept of environmental improvement in
cities was limited to planting trees in a few streets. Since then, many cities,
notably Barcelona, have transformed neglected areas into vibrant city
centres, but in the early 1980s, the concept was still new and untested.
Despite scepticism, the local authorities approved the choice of the site
and the first plans were drawn up. The work was delayed by the integration
into the Park site of three large fresh water reservoirs, each 80 metres in
diameter and 14 metres deep. But in 1990 a protocol was signed between
the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Governorate of Cairo that led to
new plans taking into account the water tanks.
In 1992, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture established its Historic Cities
Support Programme, to implement urban rehabilitation projects in different
parts of the Islamic world. Cairo became its most demanding project,
encompassing not only the construction of the Park but the restoration of
the 1.5 kilometre section of the Ayyubid wall revealed by the removal of
the accumulated rubble. It also included the socioeconomic rehabilitation
of the neighbouring Historic City, which required launching of numerous
restoration and community-initiated development projects. The larger area
development project became a testing ground, and a case study, for finding
solutions to challenges ranging from the technical demands of physical
restoration to the equally challenging issues of socioeconomic development.

'''ARCHITECTURE'''

The three buildings (Citadel View Restaurant, Lakeside Café and entrance
building) were the object of a competition between seven international and
Egyptian architectural firms. The Citadel View Restaurant was designed
by Egyptian architects Rami el-Dahan and Soheir Farid. The Lakeside Café
project was awarded to Serge Santelli, Paris.
The total surface of the entrance building is 860 m2, and the Citadel View
Restaurant site is 3965 m2, including the external terraces. The Lakeside
Café has over 1500 m2 usable surface. All buildings have masonry bearing
walls with a high-sand-content limestone cladding, marble and stone
pavements, and marble and ceramic tiles. All the Park buildings rest on
piles or rafts. Nearly all materials used are of Egyptian origin, as is all the
furniture, mostly made by local carpenters in Darb al-Ahmar.

'''LANDSCAPE FEATURES'''

The Park’s site was designed by Sites International, an Egyptian landscape
architectural firm. Most features of the Park were based on the traditional
use of public spaces in Islamic contexts. This legacy can be seen in a variety
of styles from different periods and different regions. It is reflected in the
bustan-like orchard spaces, the shaded sitting areas (takhtaboush) and the
Fatimid archways used in the construction of Park buildings, among other
elements. Persian and Timurid elements are also reflected in the water
channels and fountains. Specific features of the Park include:

· The Royal Palm Promenade

· Geometric Garden

· Southern lookout

· Children’s play area

· Children’s amphitheatre and stage

· Northern lookout plaza and kiosk

· Water cascade garden

· Lake

· Orchard

· Playing fields

· Historical wall promenade and amphitheatre

The fountain and stream-lake are divided into two systems. The cascade
and fountain system, which is approximately 90 metres long, is run by two
pumps that re-circulate the water. The stream and lake are fed directly by
raw Nile water from a nearby municipal line, a pipe measuring
approximately 170 metres off site. The lake water is then filtered
mechanically and pumped throughout the Park’s irrigation main line. The
total length of the main and lateral irrigation lines within the Park site
measures approximately 10 kilometres.
The Park has all necessary amenities, such as ramps and toilet facilities, for
the handicapped. The marble benches and lighting were designed by Sites
International and built by local artisans using local materials.

'''HORTICULTURE'''

The realities of seasonal high temperatures, low humidity, scant rainfall
and desert winds imposed severe conditions on the Park’s plants and trees.
Specialist plant nurseries were created, both on site and outside Cairo, to
identify the best plants and trees for the soil, terrain and climate. The
nurseries also carried out the propagation of the necessary plants to furnish
the Park – 89 varieties of trees, 51 shrubs, five sorts of grass, 14 climbers,
50 groundcover plants and 26 varieties of succulents. Over 655,000 young
plants from cuttings and seed were planted. Most of the lawn was planted
elsewhere and brought in as turf. The lawn areas required four metric
tonnes of grass seed.
The nurseries contain over two million plants and trees, which can be used
not only for replenishing the Park’s vegetation, but for planting in pots in
the courtyards and roof terraces of the historic city, for sale to official and
private garden contractors and for visitors to the Park. A sales outlet for
plants is envisioned on site.

Perhaps the most interesting local varieties of trees are Sycamores, Zyziphus
and four types of Acacia. Other species include the Cassia smallii and Sophoras
arizonica and japonica trees. The non-Egyptian native plants were developed
from stock in the country and adapted to local conditions. A good deal of
experimentation was required to find hybrids that would withstand the
difficult soil conditions found at the Park. Reflecting garden traditions in
both the East and West, many medicinal and culinary herbs were planted in
the Park, including laurel, chamomile, mint, lemon grass, coriander and
thyme. A wide variety of roses have been grafted onto Rosa canina rootstock
to ensure that they will thrive in Park conditions.
The Park utilises an irrigation system providing water through drippers
and sprinklers. The irrigation is regulated by a special weather station in
the Park which calculates the water needs based on temperature, humidity
and wind speed.

<gallery caption= "Illustrations" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
Image:Historical city view.jpg|Historical city view
Image:Park map.jpg|Park map
Image:artificial river.jpg|artificial river

</gallery>

== Analytical drawings ==

<gallery caption="Analytical Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Park analysis.jpg|Park analysis
Image:Surrounding neighborhood analysis.jpg|Surrounding neighborhood analysis
Image:Topographic map.jpg|Topographic map
</gallery>

== Green Infrastructure benefits for this site ==

- Having a kind of an artificial river and lake is very effective for connecting water from this site to the Nile river situated in the western side of the park, in addition to having the old historical Aqueduct that was supposed to connect water from the old historical cairo to the Nile river, this connection could be more of an ecological connection and thus having marine river life through the city.

- The abundance of tree species is a good factor for the beginning of establishing a green infrastructure entity that we could develop nodes and corridors of green connections starting from the park and ending somewhere in the borders of the city, this will promote bird life and will enhance birds mobility through the city, in addition to more species like insects or so may thrive under these variety of plant species. Thus achieving more environmental balance and more natural control of invasive species that harm Egyptian community.

- Eventually increasing green space will lead to better ecological conditions like less pollution, less carbon dioxide rates, more clean air ... etc. of.

- The impact on social life will be dramatic too; the stress on citizens will decrease significantly first because of more relaxing green space that can be offered with connections to important hot spots through the city, that people may start to choose these green routes instead of their regular routes to their daily activities, resulting in an overall improvement in the productivity and welfare of Cairo residents.

- Sustainability is a great issue in Cairo, by increasing the green infrastructure to grey infrastructure ratio; people will start to have social awareness of sustainability and the need of proper use of resources, water management programs could then be implemented in our system and the life style of the citizens could be altered from intensive building and vertical development to more sustainable environmental friendly development that will benefit future generations.

== Potential for multifunctionality ==

The function of the park now is merely recreation and revenue collection, hundreds of visitors go to the park daily as its the only open space relaxing environment in the vicinity, by taking advantage of the site location, available resources and increased people contact much can be achieved; the following could summarize the other functions that could be achieved:

- Bringing marine life from the Nile river is a vital issue enhancing the ecosystems in side the city and providing more recreational type of landscape, a new ecological approach for the locals living in the city.

- Reusing of the historical Aqueduct for green infrastructure purposes is a new trend, as this connection was very important (currently neglected) to bring water into the old Cairo and to the defensive fortress situated beside AlAzhar park, so a kind of historical restoration of a partly demolished structure but in an ecological, cultural and historical point of view; bringing together these three elements in one entity that leads finally to our park.

- The creating of nodes and green connections starting from the park taking advantage of the high number of tree species already existing, this brings together a safe passage for several bird species that do not exist in the city due to the dominating concrete structure of the city. I addition to improving as well the ecosystem implemented inside the city that leads eventually to an environmental balance for the control of other invasive insects or rats that exist in high number through all neighborhoods.

- Also these nodes and green connections offers alternative routes of people for their daily activities, experiencing nature in its nes implemented form and increasing awareness for people of the high need of green infrastructure through the city as they experience new ecological and sustainable values that they begin to recognize the need of further development in the ecological manner.

- The park is situated inside the historical part of Cairo, and so as represented in the projective drawings, these green connections could take the style of the old Islamic culture of being constructed in polygons shape; leading to the emphasis of the importance of the old city as a cultural heritage that need preserving and modernizing, especially that the design style of the AlAzhar park is made in this kind of old Islamic Moorish style.

- Finally increasing the green to grey ratio will lead to better environmental conditions such as decreasing CO2, CO and other toxic gases levels, and so improving the overall health conditions of the locals and thus lesser spending on health and thus its more economic for the authorities.

== Projective drawings ==
* ''How would you like this case to change in the near future? (in 1-2 years)''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

* ''And how could it look like in 10-15 years?''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

<gallery caption="Projective Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Green infrastructure evelopement concept.jpg|Green infrastructure evelopement concept
Image:Development stages.jpg|Development stages
Image:Potential Species and humans mobility.jpg|Potential Species and humans mobility
Image:Aqueduct water connection.jpg|Aqueduct water connection
</gallery>

== Summary and conclusion ==

From this site much can be achieved, turning around the landscape of the park and its surrounding neighborhood from a dense bulk of concrete with no open or green space into a fully developed green infrastructure entity serving multifunctions of ecology, society and recreation values will add much to the well fare of local people and increase overall content ratios for the whole city.

== Image Gallery ==

<gallery caption="Image Gallery" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Main axis high ground view.jpg|Main axis high ground view
Image:view of historical city.jpg|view of historical city
Image:Restaurants.jpg|Restaurants
Image:Greenary.JPG|Greenary
Image:Open spaces.JPG|Open spaces
Image:Artificial lake.JPG|Artificial lake
Image:Islamic style.JPG|Moorsih/Islamic design style
Image:Top.JPG|Local topography
</gallery>

== References ==

*''please add your references here''

----
[[Category:Green Infrastructure 2014 Case Study]]

About categories: You can add more categories with this tag: "[[Category:Category Name]]", add your categories

Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 2

2014-12-03T21:47:24Z

Arafaa: /* Summary and conclusion */

---> back to group page [[Green_Infrastructure_2014_-_Working_Group_H|working group H]]

'''ALAZHAR PARK'''
From a classic park to the heart of Green infrastcture in Cairo

{| align="right" width="300pt" style="background:Gainsboro; color:black"
|-
| '''Name''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' AlAzhar park and surrounding neighborhood''
|-
| '''Country''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' Egypt''
|-
| '''City''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Cairo''
|-
| '''Authors''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Abdullah Arafa''
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"| [[Image:AlAzhar_park_image.jpg|300px]]
|-
| ||style="background:Lavender"|
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"|{{#widget:GoogleMaps
|width=300
|height=240
|lat=30.0409685
|lng=31.265254099999993
|zoom=15
|centermarker=yes
|maptypecontrol=yes
|overviewmapcontrol=yes
|largemapcontrol=yes
|scalecontrol=yes
}}
|}

== Rationale: Why is this case interesting? ==

AlAzhar park is considered to be the green lung inside a very dense and crowded Metropolitan area of Cairo city, it was built on an old landfill site and designed to be a very attractive monument of the capital.

The most interesting thing about this park that its completely surrounded by grey infrastructure from all directions with no green connectivity whatsoever to any existing park or even natural area, even the near castle or the ElMokattam Hill situated inside Cairo city, which makes it an ideal starting point of establishing a green infrastructure in the surrounding of the park to the city borders. In addition to the fact that this park has a very high number of plant species and water features (though most are artificial) rendering it to be an ecological center of the city and the heart of the first steps of a green infrastructure that can be constructed through the city.

== Author's perspective ==

I am a student in landscape architecture in master degree with a B.Sc and M.Sc in horticulture and garden design, dealing with plants, people and land was my profession for more than seven years and I consider AlAzhar park to be one of the most interesting cases for me concerning landscape architecture and green infrastructure.

The park was built to serve as a monofunction recreation area for the people of Cairo city, with the abundance of open space and activities through the park. It's always very crowded due to the fact that very few public parks still exist in Cairo city and that people escape from grey dull grey infrastructure to this kind of green open space to spend their free time and socialize in such places, in addition to experiencing the fabulous view of the high ground of this park that overlooks the whole city of Cairo and the old historical Islamic monuments situated beside the park.

In my point of view, we can transfer the park from a monofunction structure to a multifunction entity that serves green infrastructure purposes, the existence of all landscape elements in this park makes it an ideal location for these goals, wide variety of plant species, different landuse patterns, high topographic fluctuations, different water features and high density of human contact are all elements that can be promoted for a multifunction landscape serving green infrastructure purposes in a city that does not have any kind of green infrastructure implemented in it's planning and perhaps one day this could be the heart of spreading green infrastructure through the whole city, and thus solving a lot of Cairo's environmental issues of pollution mainly and of coarse all other landscape aspects.

== Landscape and/or urban context of your case ==

'''INTRODUCTION'''

The origins of Al-Azhar Park project date to 1984, when the Aga Khan
Award for Architecture organised a conference on the subject of The
Expanding Metropolis: Coping with the Urban Growth of Cairo. At that time, the
city was confronted by the array of contemporary development challenges
faced by many cities, not least population pressures, a decline in the quality
of housing and the attendant problems these conditions create. Despite
these challenges, the question of how to reconcile conservation and
development was a fairly new one.
It was clear that Cairo needed more green space. One study found that the
amount of green space per inhabitant was roughly equivalent to the size of
a footprint. It is one of the lowest proportions in the world.
It was on the occasion of the conference that His Highness the Aga Khan
announced his decision to finance the creation of a park for the citizens of
the Egyptian capital. The only central location which was of suitable scale
and which lent itself to rehabilitation was the derelict Darassa site, a 30-
hectare (74 acre), 500-year-old mound of rubble in the inner city, between
the eastern edge of the 12th Century Ayyubid city and the 15th Century
Mamluk “City of the Dead”.
While the neighbouring district of Darb al-Ahmar was poor, it featured
one of the richest concentrations of Islamic art and architecture in the
world. The challenge was to revitalise this heritage in ways that turned
traditional notions about cultural monuments on their head - that rather
than being a drain on resources, they could be a stimulus for social and
economic development.
The Park project was therefore intended to be a case study for a variety of
development challenges, ranging from environmental rehabilitation to
cultural restoration. The objective was to create models of development
that could be replicated in many other settings, and in particular in the
historic cities of the Islamic world. Almost one-third of historic cities on
UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites are in the Islamic World. Many face
pressures similar to those of Cairo.

'''HISTORY'''

When the city of Cairo was rebuilt and laid out by the Fatimids in 969–974
(358–363 Hijri), and named al-Quahira (“the victorious”), 20 percent of it
– roughly 30 hectares – was devoted to open space. East of the al-Mu’izz
palace, horse-riding grounds were turned into a royal park and garden and
a large central space to the west was dedicated to military parades and
religious gatherings. A dozen years later, al-Azhar (“the Radiant”) mosque
and theological college were built (989). During the Fatimid, Ayyubid and
Mamluk periods, Cairo was one of the most advanced cities of learning in
the Islamic world. Many landmark buildings around the Park, including
the Citadel, testify to the glory of mediaeval Cairo.
In the first half of the twentieth century, Cairo was still a city of villas and
gardens. In the last 50 years, however, population pressures and high-rise
construction built to meet the consequent demand have made it one of the
largest and most complex cities in the world. Its population has tripled
since 1952, and today greater Cairo has around 17 million people.
The growth was compounded by an urban dynamic characterised by
disinvestment in the city centre areas. The combination of less investment
– particularly in the maintenance and development of housing – and an
influx of people, created stresses in the urban fabric that condemned many
people to lower standards of living. It was widely assumed that the resulting
downward spiral, ending in urban slums, was inevitable. The Aga Khan
Trust for Culture set out to prove that those conditions could be reversed
and that positive change could be sustained.

'''FROM A WASTELAND INTO A PARK'''

When the project of turning a rubble dump into a park that would act as a
catalyst for development was first mentioned 20 years ago, it was considered
outlandish. At that time, the concept of environmental improvement in
cities was limited to planting trees in a few streets. Since then, many cities,
notably Barcelona, have transformed neglected areas into vibrant city
centres, but in the early 1980s, the concept was still new and untested.
Despite scepticism, the local authorities approved the choice of the site
and the first plans were drawn up. The work was delayed by the integration
into the Park site of three large fresh water reservoirs, each 80 metres in
diameter and 14 metres deep. But in 1990 a protocol was signed between
the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Governorate of Cairo that led to
new plans taking into account the water tanks.
In 1992, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture established its Historic Cities
Support Programme, to implement urban rehabilitation projects in different
parts of the Islamic world. Cairo became its most demanding project,
encompassing not only the construction of the Park but the restoration of
the 1.5 kilometre section of the Ayyubid wall revealed by the removal of
the accumulated rubble. It also included the socioeconomic rehabilitation
of the neighbouring Historic City, which required launching of numerous
restoration and community-initiated development projects. The larger area
development project became a testing ground, and a case study, for finding
solutions to challenges ranging from the technical demands of physical
restoration to the equally challenging issues of socioeconomic development.

'''ARCHITECTURE'''

The three buildings (Citadel View Restaurant, Lakeside Café and entrance
building) were the object of a competition between seven international and
Egyptian architectural firms. The Citadel View Restaurant was designed
by Egyptian architects Rami el-Dahan and Soheir Farid. The Lakeside Café
project was awarded to Serge Santelli, Paris.
The total surface of the entrance building is 860 m2, and the Citadel View
Restaurant site is 3965 m2, including the external terraces. The Lakeside
Café has over 1500 m2 usable surface. All buildings have masonry bearing
walls with a high-sand-content limestone cladding, marble and stone
pavements, and marble and ceramic tiles. All the Park buildings rest on
piles or rafts. Nearly all materials used are of Egyptian origin, as is all the
furniture, mostly made by local carpenters in Darb al-Ahmar.

'''LANDSCAPE FEATURES'''

The Park’s site was designed by Sites International, an Egyptian landscape
architectural firm. Most features of the Park were based on the traditional
use of public spaces in Islamic contexts. This legacy can be seen in a variety
of styles from different periods and different regions. It is reflected in the
bustan-like orchard spaces, the shaded sitting areas (takhtaboush) and the
Fatimid archways used in the construction of Park buildings, among other
elements. Persian and Timurid elements are also reflected in the water
channels and fountains. Specific features of the Park include:

· The Royal Palm Promenade

· Geometric Garden

· Southern lookout

· Children’s play area

· Children’s amphitheatre and stage

· Northern lookout plaza and kiosk

· Water cascade garden

· Lake

· Orchard

· Playing fields

· Historical wall promenade and amphitheatre

The fountain and stream-lake are divided into two systems. The cascade
and fountain system, which is approximately 90 metres long, is run by two
pumps that re-circulate the water. The stream and lake are fed directly by
raw Nile water from a nearby municipal line, a pipe measuring
approximately 170 metres off site. The lake water is then filtered
mechanically and pumped throughout the Park’s irrigation main line. The
total length of the main and lateral irrigation lines within the Park site
measures approximately 10 kilometres.
The Park has all necessary amenities, such as ramps and toilet facilities, for
the handicapped. The marble benches and lighting were designed by Sites
International and built by local artisans using local materials.

'''HORTICULTURE'''

The realities of seasonal high temperatures, low humidity, scant rainfall
and desert winds imposed severe conditions on the Park’s plants and trees.
Specialist plant nurseries were created, both on site and outside Cairo, to
identify the best plants and trees for the soil, terrain and climate. The
nurseries also carried out the propagation of the necessary plants to furnish
the Park – 89 varieties of trees, 51 shrubs, five sorts of grass, 14 climbers,
50 groundcover plants and 26 varieties of succulents. Over 655,000 young
plants from cuttings and seed were planted. Most of the lawn was planted
elsewhere and brought in as turf. The lawn areas required four metric
tonnes of grass seed.
The nurseries contain over two million plants and trees, which can be used
not only for replenishing the Park’s vegetation, but for planting in pots in
the courtyards and roof terraces of the historic city, for sale to official and
private garden contractors and for visitors to the Park. A sales outlet for
plants is envisioned on site.

Perhaps the most interesting local varieties of trees are Sycamores, Zyziphus
and four types of Acacia. Other species include the Cassia smallii and Sophoras
arizonica and japonica trees. The non-Egyptian native plants were developed
from stock in the country and adapted to local conditions. A good deal of
experimentation was required to find hybrids that would withstand the
difficult soil conditions found at the Park. Reflecting garden traditions in
both the East and West, many medicinal and culinary herbs were planted in
the Park, including laurel, chamomile, mint, lemon grass, coriander and
thyme. A wide variety of roses have been grafted onto Rosa canina rootstock
to ensure that they will thrive in Park conditions.
The Park utilises an irrigation system providing water through drippers
and sprinklers. The irrigation is regulated by a special weather station in
the Park which calculates the water needs based on temperature, humidity
and wind speed.

<gallery caption= "Illustrations" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
Image:Historical city view.jpg|Historical city view
Image:Park map.jpg|Park map
Image:artificial river.jpg|artificial river

</gallery>

== Analytical drawings ==

<gallery caption="Analytical Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Park analysis.jpg|Park analysis
Image:Surrounding neighborhood analysis.jpg|Surrounding neighborhood analysis
Image:Topographic map.jpg|Topographic map
</gallery>

== Green Infrastructure benefits for this site ==

- Having a kind of an artificial river and lake is very effective for connecting water from this site to the Nile river situated in the western side of the park, in addition to having the old historical Aqueduct that was supposed to connect water from the old historical cairo to the Nile river, this connection could be more of an ecological connection and thus having marine river life through the city.

- The abundance of tree species is a good factor for the beginning of establishing a green infrastructure entity that we could develop nodes and corridors of green connections starting from the park and ending somewhere in the borders of the city, this will promote bird life and will enhance birds mobility through the city, in addition to more species like insects or so may thrive under these variety of plant species. Thus achieving more environmental balance and more natural control of invasive species that harm Egyptian community.

- Eventually increasing green space will lead to better ecological conditions like less pollution, less carbon dioxide rates, more clean air ... etc. of.

- The impact on social life will be dramatic too; the stress on citizens will decrease significantly first because of more relaxing green space that can be offered with connections to important hot spots through the city, that people may start to choose these green routes instead of their regular routes to their daily activities, resulting in an overall improvement in the productivity and welfare of Cairo residents.

- Sustainability is a great issue in Cairo, by increasing the green infrastructure to grey infrastructure ratio; people will start to have social awareness of sustainability and the need of proper use of resources, water management programs could then be implemented in our system and the life style of the citizens could be altered from intensive building and vertical development to more sustainable environmental friendly development that will benefit future generations.

== Potential for multifunctionality ==

The function of the park now is merely recreation and revenue collection, hundreds of visitors go to the park daily as its the only open space relaxing environment in the vicinity, by taking advantage of the site location, available resources and increased people contact much can be achieved; the following could summarize the other functions that could be achieved:

- Bringing marine life from the Nile river is a vital issue enhancing the ecosystems in side the city and providing more recreational type of landscape, a new ecological approach for the locals living in the city.

- Reusing of the historical Aqueduct for green infrastructure purposes is a new trend, as this connection was very important (currently neglected) to bring water into the old Cairo and to the defensive fortress situated beside AlAzhar park, so a kind of historical restoration of a partly demolished structure but in an ecological, cultural and historical point of view; bringing together these three elements in one entity that leads finally to our park.

- The creating of nodes and green connections starting from the park taking advantage of the high number of tree species already existing, this brings together a safe passage for several bird species that do not exist in the city due to the dominating concrete structure of the city. I addition to improving as well the ecosystem implemented inside the city that leads eventually to an environmental balance for the control of other invasive insects or rats that exist in high number through all neighborhoods.

- Also these nodes and green connections offers alternative routes of people for their daily activities, experiencing nature in its nes implemented form and increasing awareness for people of the high need of green infrastructure through the city as they experience new ecological and sustainable values that they begin to recognize the need of further development in the ecological manner.

- The park is situated inside the historical part of Cairo, and so as represented in the projective drawings, these green connections could take the style of the old Islamic culture of being constructed in polygons shape; leading to the emphasis of the importance of the old city as a cultural heritage that need preserving and modernizing, especially that the design style of the AlAzhar park is made in this kind of old Islamic Moorish style.

- Finally increasing the green to grey ratio will lead to better environmental conditions such as decreasing CO2, CO and other toxic gases levels, and so improving the overall health conditions of the locals and thus lesser spending on health and thus its more economic for the authorities.

== Projective drawings ==
* ''How would you like this case to change in the near future? (in 1-2 years)''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

* ''And how could it look like in 10-15 years?''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

<gallery caption="Projective Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Green infrastructure evelopement concept.jpg|Green infrastructure evelopement concept
Image:Development stages.jpg|Development stages
Image:Potential Species and humans mobility.jpg|Potential Species and humans mobility
Image:Aqueduct water connection.jpg|Aqueduct water connection
</gallery>

== Summary and conclusion ==

From this site much can be achieved, turning around the landscape of the park and its surrounding neighborhood from a dense bulk of concrete with no open or green space into a fully developed green infrastructure entity serving multifunctions of ecology, society and recreation values will add much to the well fare of local people and increase overall content ratios for the whole city.

== Image Gallery ==
''Please add further images/photos here''

<gallery caption="Image Gallery" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Main axis high ground view.jpg|Main axis high ground view
Image:view of historical city.jpg|view of historical city
Image:Restaurants.jpg|Restaurants
Image:Greenary.JPG|Greenary
Image:Open spaces.JPG|Open spaces
Image:Artificial lake.JPG|Artificial lake
Image:Islamic style.JPG|Moorsih/Islamic design style
Image:Top.JPG|Local topography
</gallery>

== References ==

*''please add your references here''

----
[[Category:Green Infrastructure 2014 Case Study]]

About categories: You can add more categories with this tag: "[[Category:Category Name]]", add your categories

Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 2

2014-12-03T21:14:50Z

Arafaa:

File:View of historical city.jpg

2014-12-03T21:14:06Z

Arafaa:

File:Main axis high ground view.jpg

2014-12-03T21:12:19Z

Arafaa:

Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 2

2014-12-03T21:11:16Z

2014-12-01T21:28:15Z

Arafaa: /* Potential for multifunctionality */

---> back to group page [[Green_Infrastructure_2014_-_Working_Group_H|working group H]]

'''''please add your title here'''''

{| align="right" width="300pt" style="background:Gainsboro; color:black"
|-
| '''Name''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' AlAzhar park and surrounding neighborhood''
|-
| '''Country''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' Egypt''
|-
| '''City''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Cairo''
|-
| '''Authors''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Abdullah Arafa''
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"| [[Image:AlAzhar_park_image.jpg|300px]]
|-
| ||style="background:Lavender"|
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"|{{#widget:GoogleMaps
|width=300
|height=240
|lat=30.0409685
|lng=31.265254099999993
|zoom=15
|centermarker=yes
|maptypecontrol=yes
|overviewmapcontrol=yes
|largemapcontrol=yes
|scalecontrol=yes
}}
|}

== Rationale: Why is this case interesting? ==

AlAzhar park is considered to be the green lung inside a very dense and crowded Metropolitan area of Cairo city, it was built on an old landfill site and designed to be a very attractive monument of the capital.

The most interesting thing about this park that its completely surrounded by grey infrastructure from all directions with no green connectivity whatsoever to any existing park or even natural area, even the near castle or the ElMokattam Hill situated inside Cairo city, which makes it an ideal starting point of establishing a green infrastructure in the surrounding of the park to the city borders. In addition to the fact that this park has a very high number of plant species and water features (though most are artificial) rendering it to be an ecological center of the city and the heart of the first steps of a green infrastructure that can be constructed through the city.

== Author's perspective ==

I am a student in landscape architecture in master degree with a B.Sc and M.Sc in horticulture and garden design, dealing with plants, people and land was my profession for more than seven years and I consider AlAzhar park to be one of the most interesting cases for me concerning landscape architecture and green infrastructure.

The park was built to serve as a monofunction recreation area for the people of Cairo city, with the abundance of open space and activities through the park. It's always very crowded due to the fact that very few public parks still exist in Cairo city and that people escape from grey dull grey infrastructure to this kind of green open space to spend their free time and socialize in such places, in addition to experiencing the fabulous view of the high ground of this park that overlooks the whole city of Cairo and the old historical Islamic monuments situated beside the park.

In my point of view, we can transfer the park from a monofunction structure to a multifunction entity that serves green infrastructure purposes, the existence of all landscape elements in this park makes it an ideal location for these goals, wide variety of plant species, different landuse patterns, high topographic fluctuations, different water features and high density of human contact are all elements that can be promoted for a multifunction landscape serving green infrastructure purposes in a city that does not have any kind of green infrastructure implemented in it's planning and perhaps one day this could be the heart of spreading green infrastructure through the whole city, and thus solving a lot of Cairo's environmental issues of pollution mainly and of coarse all other landscape aspects.

== Landscape and/or urban context of your case ==

'''INTRODUCTION'''

The origins of Al-Azhar Park project date to 1984, when the Aga Khan
Award for Architecture organised a conference on the subject of The
Expanding Metropolis: Coping with the Urban Growth of Cairo. At that time, the
city was confronted by the array of contemporary development challenges
faced by many cities, not least population pressures, a decline in the quality
of housing and the attendant problems these conditions create. Despite
these challenges, the question of how to reconcile conservation and
development was a fairly new one.
It was clear that Cairo needed more green space. One study found that the
amount of green space per inhabitant was roughly equivalent to the size of
a footprint. It is one of the lowest proportions in the world.
It was on the occasion of the conference that His Highness the Aga Khan
announced his decision to finance the creation of a park for the citizens of
the Egyptian capital. The only central location which was of suitable scale
and which lent itself to rehabilitation was the derelict Darassa site, a 30-
hectare (74 acre), 500-year-old mound of rubble in the inner city, between
the eastern edge of the 12th Century Ayyubid city and the 15th Century
Mamluk “City of the Dead”.
While the neighbouring district of Darb al-Ahmar was poor, it featured
one of the richest concentrations of Islamic art and architecture in the
world. The challenge was to revitalise this heritage in ways that turned
traditional notions about cultural monuments on their head - that rather
than being a drain on resources, they could be a stimulus for social and
economic development.
The Park project was therefore intended to be a case study for a variety of
development challenges, ranging from environmental rehabilitation to
cultural restoration. The objective was to create models of development
that could be replicated in many other settings, and in particular in the
historic cities of the Islamic world. Almost one-third of historic cities on
UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites are in the Islamic World. Many face
pressures similar to those of Cairo.

'''HISTORY'''

When the city of Cairo was rebuilt and laid out by the Fatimids in 969–974
(358–363 Hijri), and named al-Quahira (“the victorious”), 20 percent of it
– roughly 30 hectares – was devoted to open space. East of the al-Mu’izz
palace, horse-riding grounds were turned into a royal park and garden and
a large central space to the west was dedicated to military parades and
religious gatherings. A dozen years later, al-Azhar (“the Radiant”) mosque
and theological college were built (989). During the Fatimid, Ayyubid and
Mamluk periods, Cairo was one of the most advanced cities of learning in
the Islamic world. Many landmark buildings around the Park, including
the Citadel, testify to the glory of mediaeval Cairo.
In the first half of the twentieth century, Cairo was still a city of villas and
gardens. In the last 50 years, however, population pressures and high-rise
construction built to meet the consequent demand have made it one of the
largest and most complex cities in the world. Its population has tripled
since 1952, and today greater Cairo has around 17 million people.
The growth was compounded by an urban dynamic characterised by
disinvestment in the city centre areas. The combination of less investment
– particularly in the maintenance and development of housing – and an
influx of people, created stresses in the urban fabric that condemned many
people to lower standards of living. It was widely assumed that the resulting
downward spiral, ending in urban slums, was inevitable. The Aga Khan
Trust for Culture set out to prove that those conditions could be reversed
and that positive change could be sustained.

'''FROM A WASTELAND INTO A PARK'''

When the project of turning a rubble dump into a park that would act as a
catalyst for development was first mentioned 20 years ago, it was considered
outlandish. At that time, the concept of environmental improvement in
cities was limited to planting trees in a few streets. Since then, many cities,
notably Barcelona, have transformed neglected areas into vibrant city
centres, but in the early 1980s, the concept was still new and untested.
Despite scepticism, the local authorities approved the choice of the site
and the first plans were drawn up. The work was delayed by the integration
into the Park site of three large fresh water reservoirs, each 80 metres in
diameter and 14 metres deep. But in 1990 a protocol was signed between
the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Governorate of Cairo that led to
new plans taking into account the water tanks.
In 1992, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture established its Historic Cities
Support Programme, to implement urban rehabilitation projects in different
parts of the Islamic world. Cairo became its most demanding project,
encompassing not only the construction of the Park but the restoration of
the 1.5 kilometre section of the Ayyubid wall revealed by the removal of
the accumulated rubble. It also included the socioeconomic rehabilitation
of the neighbouring Historic City, which required launching of numerous
restoration and community-initiated development projects. The larger area
development project became a testing ground, and a case study, for finding
solutions to challenges ranging from the technical demands of physical
restoration to the equally challenging issues of socioeconomic development.

'''ARCHITECTURE'''

The three buildings (Citadel View Restaurant, Lakeside Café and entrance
building) were the object of a competition between seven international and
Egyptian architectural firms. The Citadel View Restaurant was designed
by Egyptian architects Rami el-Dahan and Soheir Farid. The Lakeside Café
project was awarded to Serge Santelli, Paris.
The total surface of the entrance building is 860 m2, and the Citadel View
Restaurant site is 3965 m2, including the external terraces. The Lakeside
Café has over 1500 m2 usable surface. All buildings have masonry bearing
walls with a high-sand-content limestone cladding, marble and stone
pavements, and marble and ceramic tiles. All the Park buildings rest on
piles or rafts. Nearly all materials used are of Egyptian origin, as is all the
furniture, mostly made by local carpenters in Darb al-Ahmar.

'''LANDSCAPE FEATURES'''

The Park’s site was designed by Sites International, an Egyptian landscape
architectural firm. Most features of the Park were based on the traditional
use of public spaces in Islamic contexts. This legacy can be seen in a variety
of styles from different periods and different regions. It is reflected in the
bustan-like orchard spaces, the shaded sitting areas (takhtaboush) and the
Fatimid archways used in the construction of Park buildings, among other
elements. Persian and Timurid elements are also reflected in the water
channels and fountains. Specific features of the Park include:

· The Royal Palm Promenade

· Geometric Garden

· Southern lookout

· Children’s play area

· Children’s amphitheatre and stage

· Northern lookout plaza and kiosk

· Water cascade garden

· Lake

· Orchard

· Playing fields

· Historical wall promenade and amphitheatre

The fountain and stream-lake are divided into two systems. The cascade
and fountain system, which is approximately 90 metres long, is run by two
pumps that re-circulate the water. The stream and lake are fed directly by
raw Nile water from a nearby municipal line, a pipe measuring
approximately 170 metres off site. The lake water is then filtered
mechanically and pumped throughout the Park’s irrigation main line. The
total length of the main and lateral irrigation lines within the Park site
measures approximately 10 kilometres.
The Park has all necessary amenities, such as ramps and toilet facilities, for
the handicapped. The marble benches and lighting were designed by Sites
International and built by local artisans using local materials.

'''HORTICULTURE'''

The realities of seasonal high temperatures, low humidity, scant rainfall
and desert winds imposed severe conditions on the Park’s plants and trees.
Specialist plant nurseries were created, both on site and outside Cairo, to
identify the best plants and trees for the soil, terrain and climate. The
nurseries also carried out the propagation of the necessary plants to furnish
the Park – 89 varieties of trees, 51 shrubs, five sorts of grass, 14 climbers,
50 groundcover plants and 26 varieties of succulents. Over 655,000 young
plants from cuttings and seed were planted. Most of the lawn was planted
elsewhere and brought in as turf. The lawn areas required four metric
tonnes of grass seed.
The nurseries contain over two million plants and trees, which can be used
not only for replenishing the Park’s vegetation, but for planting in pots in
the courtyards and roof terraces of the historic city, for sale to official and
private garden contractors and for visitors to the Park. A sales outlet for
plants is envisioned on site.

Perhaps the most interesting local varieties of trees are Sycamores, Zyziphus
and four types of Acacia. Other species include the Cassia smallii and Sophoras
arizonica and japonica trees. The non-Egyptian native plants were developed
from stock in the country and adapted to local conditions. A good deal of
experimentation was required to find hybrids that would withstand the
difficult soil conditions found at the Park. Reflecting garden traditions in
both the East and West, many medicinal and culinary herbs were planted in
the Park, including laurel, chamomile, mint, lemon grass, coriander and
thyme. A wide variety of roses have been grafted onto Rosa canina rootstock
to ensure that they will thrive in Park conditions.
The Park utilises an irrigation system providing water through drippers
and sprinklers. The irrigation is regulated by a special weather station in
the Park which calculates the water needs based on temperature, humidity
and wind speed.

<gallery caption= "Illustrations" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
Image:Historical city view.jpg|Historical city view
Image:Park map.jpg|Park map
Image:artificial river.jpg|artificial river

</gallery>

== Analytical drawings ==

<gallery caption="Analytical Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Park analysis.jpg|Park analysis
Image:Surrounding neighborhood analysis.jpg|Surrounding neighborhood analysis
Image:your drawing.jpg|your drawing
Image:your drawing.jpg|your drawing
</gallery>

== Green Infrastructure benefits for this site ==

- Having a kind of an artificial river and lake is very effective for connecting water from this site to the Nile river situated in the western side of the park, in addition to having the old historical Aqueduct that was supposed to connect water from the old historical cairo to the Nile river, this connection could be more of an ecological connection and thus having marine river life through the city.

- The abundance of tree species is a good factor for the beginning of establishing a green infrastructure entity that we could develop nodes and corridors of green connections starting from the park and ending somewhere in the borders of the city, this will promote bird life and will enhance birds mobility through the city, in addition to more species like insects or so may thrive under these variety of plant species. Thus achieving more environmental balance and more natural control of invasive species that harm Egyptian community.

- Eventually increasing green space will lead to better ecological conditions like less pollution, less carbon dioxide rates, more clean air ... etc. of.

- The impact on social life will be dramatic too; the stress on citizens will decrease significantly first because of more relaxing green space that can be offered with connections to important hot spots through the city, that people may start to choose these green routes instead of their regular routes to their daily activities, resulting in an overall improvement in the productivity and welfare of Cairo residents.

- Sustainability is a great issue in Cairo, by increasing the green infrastructure to grey infrastructure ratio; people will start to have social awareness of sustainability and the need of proper use of resources, water management programs could then be implemented in our system and the life style of the citizens could be altered from intensive building and vertical development to more sustainable environmental friendly development that will benefit future generations.

== Potential for multifunctionality ==

The function of the park now is merely recreation and revenue collection, hundreds of visitors go to the park daily as its the only open space relaxing environment in the vicinity, by taking advantage of the site location, available resources and increased people contact much can be achieved; the following could summarize the other functions that could be achieved:

- Bringing marine life from the Nile river is a vital issue enhancing the ecosystems in side the city and providing more recreational type of landscape, a new ecological approach for the locals living in the city.

- Reusing of the historical Aqueduct for green infrastructure purposes is a new trend, as this connection was very important (currently neglected) to bring water into the old Cairo and to the defensive fortress situated beside AlAzhar park, so a kind of historical restoration of a partly demolished structure but in an ecological, cultural and historical point of view; bringing together these three elements in one entity that leads finally to our park.

- The creating of nodes and green connections starting from the park taking advantage of the high number of tree species already existing, this brings together a safe passage for several bird species that do not exist in the city due to the dominating concrete structure of the city. I addition to improving as well the ecosystem implemented inside the city that leads eventually to an environmental balance for the control of other invasive insects or rats that exist in high number through all neighborhoods.

- Also these nodes and green connections offers alternative routes of people for their daily activities, experiencing nature in its nes implemented form and increasing awareness for people of the high need of green infrastructure through the city as they experience new ecological and sustainable values that they begin to recognize the need of further development in the ecological manner.

- The park is situated inside the historical part of Cairo, and so as represented in the projective drawings, these green connections could take the style of the old Islamic culture of being constructed in polygons shape; leading to the emphasis of the importance of the old city as a cultural heritage that need preserving and modernizing, especially that the design style of the AlAzhar park is made in this kind of old Islamic Moorish style.

- Finally increasing the green to grey ratio will lead to better environmental conditions such as decreasing CO2, CO and other toxic gases levels, and so improving the overall health conditions of the locals and thus lesser spending on health and thus its more economic for the authorities.

== Projective drawings ==
* ''How would you like this case to change in the near future? (in 1-2 years)''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

* ''And how could it look like in 10-15 years?''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

<gallery caption="Projective Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Green infrastructure evelopement concept.jpg|Green infrastructure evelopement concept
Image:Development stages.jpg|Development stages
Image:Potential Species and humans mobility.jpg|Potential Species and humans mobility
Image:yourdrawing.jpg|projective drawing
</gallery>

== Summary and conclusion ==
*''100 words approx.''

== Image Gallery ==
''Please add further images/photos here''

<gallery caption="Image Gallery" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
</gallery>

== References ==

*''please add your references here''

----
[[Category:Green Infrastructure 2014 Case Study]]

About categories: You can add more categories with this tag: "[[Category:Category Name]]", add your categories

Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 2

2014-12-01T21:27:15Z

Arafaa: /* Potential for multifunctionality */

---> back to group page [[Green_Infrastructure_2014_-_Working_Group_H|working group H]]

'''''please add your title here'''''

{| align="right" width="300pt" style="background:Gainsboro; color:black"
|-
| '''Name''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' AlAzhar park and surrounding neighborhood''
|-
| '''Country''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' Egypt''
|-
| '''City''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Cairo''
|-
| '''Authors''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Abdullah Arafa''
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"| [[Image:AlAzhar_park_image.jpg|300px]]
|-
| ||style="background:Lavender"|
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"|{{#widget:GoogleMaps
|width=300
|height=240
|lat=30.0409685
|lng=31.265254099999993
|zoom=15
|centermarker=yes
|maptypecontrol=yes
|overviewmapcontrol=yes
|largemapcontrol=yes
|scalecontrol=yes
}}
|}

== Rationale: Why is this case interesting? ==

AlAzhar park is considered to be the green lung inside a very dense and crowded Metropolitan area of Cairo city, it was built on an old landfill site and designed to be a very attractive monument of the capital.

The most interesting thing about this park that its completely surrounded by grey infrastructure from all directions with no green connectivity whatsoever to any existing park or even natural area, even the near castle or the ElMokattam Hill situated inside Cairo city, which makes it an ideal starting point of establishing a green infrastructure in the surrounding of the park to the city borders. In addition to the fact that this park has a very high number of plant species and water features (though most are artificial) rendering it to be an ecological center of the city and the heart of the first steps of a green infrastructure that can be constructed through the city.

== Author's perspective ==

I am a student in landscape architecture in master degree with a B.Sc and M.Sc in horticulture and garden design, dealing with plants, people and land was my profession for more than seven years and I consider AlAzhar park to be one of the most interesting cases for me concerning landscape architecture and green infrastructure.

The park was built to serve as a monofunction recreation area for the people of Cairo city, with the abundance of open space and activities through the park. It's always very crowded due to the fact that very few public parks still exist in Cairo city and that people escape from grey dull grey infrastructure to this kind of green open space to spend their free time and socialize in such places, in addition to experiencing the fabulous view of the high ground of this park that overlooks the whole city of Cairo and the old historical Islamic monuments situated beside the park.

In my point of view, we can transfer the park from a monofunction structure to a multifunction entity that serves green infrastructure purposes, the existence of all landscape elements in this park makes it an ideal location for these goals, wide variety of plant species, different landuse patterns, high topographic fluctuations, different water features and high density of human contact are all elements that can be promoted for a multifunction landscape serving green infrastructure purposes in a city that does not have any kind of green infrastructure implemented in it's planning and perhaps one day this could be the heart of spreading green infrastructure through the whole city, and thus solving a lot of Cairo's environmental issues of pollution mainly and of coarse all other landscape aspects.

== Landscape and/or urban context of your case ==

'''INTRODUCTION'''

The origins of Al-Azhar Park project date to 1984, when the Aga Khan
Award for Architecture organised a conference on the subject of The
Expanding Metropolis: Coping with the Urban Growth of Cairo. At that time, the
city was confronted by the array of contemporary development challenges
faced by many cities, not least population pressures, a decline in the quality
of housing and the attendant problems these conditions create. Despite
these challenges, the question of how to reconcile conservation and
development was a fairly new one.
It was clear that Cairo needed more green space. One study found that the
amount of green space per inhabitant was roughly equivalent to the size of
a footprint. It is one of the lowest proportions in the world.
It was on the occasion of the conference that His Highness the Aga Khan
announced his decision to finance the creation of a park for the citizens of
the Egyptian capital. The only central location which was of suitable scale
and which lent itself to rehabilitation was the derelict Darassa site, a 30-
hectare (74 acre), 500-year-old mound of rubble in the inner city, between
the eastern edge of the 12th Century Ayyubid city and the 15th Century
Mamluk “City of the Dead”.
While the neighbouring district of Darb al-Ahmar was poor, it featured
one of the richest concentrations of Islamic art and architecture in the
world. The challenge was to revitalise this heritage in ways that turned
traditional notions about cultural monuments on their head - that rather
than being a drain on resources, they could be a stimulus for social and
economic development.
The Park project was therefore intended to be a case study for a variety of
development challenges, ranging from environmental rehabilitation to
cultural restoration. The objective was to create models of development
that could be replicated in many other settings, and in particular in the
historic cities of the Islamic world. Almost one-third of historic cities on
UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites are in the Islamic World. Many face
pressures similar to those of Cairo.

'''HISTORY'''

When the city of Cairo was rebuilt and laid out by the Fatimids in 969–974
(358–363 Hijri), and named al-Quahira (“the victorious”), 20 percent of it
– roughly 30 hectares – was devoted to open space. East of the al-Mu’izz
palace, horse-riding grounds were turned into a royal park and garden and
a large central space to the west was dedicated to military parades and
religious gatherings. A dozen years later, al-Azhar (“the Radiant”) mosque
and theological college were built (989). During the Fatimid, Ayyubid and
Mamluk periods, Cairo was one of the most advanced cities of learning in
the Islamic world. Many landmark buildings around the Park, including
the Citadel, testify to the glory of mediaeval Cairo.
In the first half of the twentieth century, Cairo was still a city of villas and
gardens. In the last 50 years, however, population pressures and high-rise
construction built to meet the consequent demand have made it one of the
largest and most complex cities in the world. Its population has tripled
since 1952, and today greater Cairo has around 17 million people.
The growth was compounded by an urban dynamic characterised by
disinvestment in the city centre areas. The combination of less investment
– particularly in the maintenance and development of housing – and an
influx of people, created stresses in the urban fabric that condemned many
people to lower standards of living. It was widely assumed that the resulting
downward spiral, ending in urban slums, was inevitable. The Aga Khan
Trust for Culture set out to prove that those conditions could be reversed
and that positive change could be sustained.

'''FROM A WASTELAND INTO A PARK'''

When the project of turning a rubble dump into a park that would act as a
catalyst for development was first mentioned 20 years ago, it was considered
outlandish. At that time, the concept of environmental improvement in
cities was limited to planting trees in a few streets. Since then, many cities,
notably Barcelona, have transformed neglected areas into vibrant city
centres, but in the early 1980s, the concept was still new and untested.
Despite scepticism, the local authorities approved the choice of the site
and the first plans were drawn up. The work was delayed by the integration
into the Park site of three large fresh water reservoirs, each 80 metres in
diameter and 14 metres deep. But in 1990 a protocol was signed between
the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Governorate of Cairo that led to
new plans taking into account the water tanks.
In 1992, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture established its Historic Cities
Support Programme, to implement urban rehabilitation projects in different
parts of the Islamic world. Cairo became its most demanding project,
encompassing not only the construction of the Park but the restoration of
the 1.5 kilometre section of the Ayyubid wall revealed by the removal of
the accumulated rubble. It also included the socioeconomic rehabilitation
of the neighbouring Historic City, which required launching of numerous
restoration and community-initiated development projects. The larger area
development project became a testing ground, and a case study, for finding
solutions to challenges ranging from the technical demands of physical
restoration to the equally challenging issues of socioeconomic development.

'''ARCHITECTURE'''

The three buildings (Citadel View Restaurant, Lakeside Café and entrance
building) were the object of a competition between seven international and
Egyptian architectural firms. The Citadel View Restaurant was designed
by Egyptian architects Rami el-Dahan and Soheir Farid. The Lakeside Café
project was awarded to Serge Santelli, Paris.
The total surface of the entrance building is 860 m2, and the Citadel View
Restaurant site is 3965 m2, including the external terraces. The Lakeside
Café has over 1500 m2 usable surface. All buildings have masonry bearing
walls with a high-sand-content limestone cladding, marble and stone
pavements, and marble and ceramic tiles. All the Park buildings rest on
piles or rafts. Nearly all materials used are of Egyptian origin, as is all the
furniture, mostly made by local carpenters in Darb al-Ahmar.

'''LANDSCAPE FEATURES'''

The Park’s site was designed by Sites International, an Egyptian landscape
architectural firm. Most features of the Park were based on the traditional
use of public spaces in Islamic contexts. This legacy can be seen in a variety
of styles from different periods and different regions. It is reflected in the
bustan-like orchard spaces, the shaded sitting areas (takhtaboush) and the
Fatimid archways used in the construction of Park buildings, among other
elements. Persian and Timurid elements are also reflected in the water
channels and fountains. Specific features of the Park include:

· The Royal Palm Promenade

· Geometric Garden

· Southern lookout

· Children’s play area

· Children’s amphitheatre and stage

· Northern lookout plaza and kiosk

· Water cascade garden

· Lake

· Orchard

· Playing fields

· Historical wall promenade and amphitheatre

The fountain and stream-lake are divided into two systems. The cascade
and fountain system, which is approximately 90 metres long, is run by two
pumps that re-circulate the water. The stream and lake are fed directly by
raw Nile water from a nearby municipal line, a pipe measuring
approximately 170 metres off site. The lake water is then filtered
mechanically and pumped throughout the Park’s irrigation main line. The
total length of the main and lateral irrigation lines within the Park site
measures approximately 10 kilometres.
The Park has all necessary amenities, such as ramps and toilet facilities, for
the handicapped. The marble benches and lighting were designed by Sites
International and built by local artisans using local materials.

'''HORTICULTURE'''

The realities of seasonal high temperatures, low humidity, scant rainfall
and desert winds imposed severe conditions on the Park’s plants and trees.
Specialist plant nurseries were created, both on site and outside Cairo, to
identify the best plants and trees for the soil, terrain and climate. The
nurseries also carried out the propagation of the necessary plants to furnish
the Park – 89 varieties of trees, 51 shrubs, five sorts of grass, 14 climbers,
50 groundcover plants and 26 varieties of succulents. Over 655,000 young
plants from cuttings and seed were planted. Most of the lawn was planted
elsewhere and brought in as turf. The lawn areas required four metric
tonnes of grass seed.
The nurseries contain over two million plants and trees, which can be used
not only for replenishing the Park’s vegetation, but for planting in pots in
the courtyards and roof terraces of the historic city, for sale to official and
private garden contractors and for visitors to the Park. A sales outlet for
plants is envisioned on site.

Perhaps the most interesting local varieties of trees are Sycamores, Zyziphus
and four types of Acacia. Other species include the Cassia smallii and Sophoras
arizonica and japonica trees. The non-Egyptian native plants were developed
from stock in the country and adapted to local conditions. A good deal of
experimentation was required to find hybrids that would withstand the
difficult soil conditions found at the Park. Reflecting garden traditions in
both the East and West, many medicinal and culinary herbs were planted in
the Park, including laurel, chamomile, mint, lemon grass, coriander and
thyme. A wide variety of roses have been grafted onto Rosa canina rootstock
to ensure that they will thrive in Park conditions.
The Park utilises an irrigation system providing water through drippers
and sprinklers. The irrigation is regulated by a special weather station in
the Park which calculates the water needs based on temperature, humidity
and wind speed.

<gallery caption= "Illustrations" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
Image:Historical city view.jpg|Historical city view
Image:Park map.jpg|Park map
Image:artificial river.jpg|artificial river

</gallery>

== Analytical drawings ==

<gallery caption="Analytical Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Park analysis.jpg|Park analysis
Image:Surrounding neighborhood analysis.jpg|Surrounding neighborhood analysis
Image:your drawing.jpg|your drawing
Image:your drawing.jpg|your drawing
</gallery>

== Green Infrastructure benefits for this site ==

- Having a kind of an artificial river and lake is very effective for connecting water from this site to the Nile river situated in the western side of the park, in addition to having the old historical Aqueduct that was supposed to connect water from the old historical cairo to the Nile river, this connection could be more of an ecological connection and thus having marine river life through the city.

- The abundance of tree species is a good factor for the beginning of establishing a green infrastructure entity that we could develop nodes and corridors of green connections starting from the park and ending somewhere in the borders of the city, this will promote bird life and will enhance birds mobility through the city, in addition to more species like insects or so may thrive under these variety of plant species. Thus achieving more environmental balance and more natural control of invasive species that harm Egyptian community.

- Eventually increasing green space will lead to better ecological conditions like less pollution, less carbon dioxide rates, more clean air ... etc. of.

- The impact on social life will be dramatic too; the stress on citizens will decrease significantly first because of more relaxing green space that can be offered with connections to important hot spots through the city, that people may start to choose these green routes instead of their regular routes to their daily activities, resulting in an overall improvement in the productivity and welfare of Cairo residents.

- Sustainability is a great issue in Cairo, by increasing the green infrastructure to grey infrastructure ratio; people will start to have social awareness of sustainability and the need of proper use of resources, water management programs could then be implemented in our system and the life style of the citizens could be altered from intensive building and vertical development to more sustainable environmental friendly development that will benefit future generations.

== Potential for multifunctionality ==

The function of the park now is merely recreation and revenue collection, hundreds of visitors go to the park daily as its the only open space relaxing environment in the vicinity, by taking advantage of the site location, available resources and increased people contact much can be achieved; the following could summarize the other functions that could be achieved:

- Bringing marine life from the Nile river is a vital issue enhancing the ecosystems in side the city and providing more recreational type of landscape, a new ecological approach for the locals living in the city.

- Reusing of the historical Aqueduct for green infrastructure purposes is a new trend, as this connection was very important (currently neglected) to bring water into the old Cairo and to the defensive fortress situated beside AlAzhar park, so a kind of historical restoration of a partly demolished structure but in an ecological, cultural and historical point of view; bringing together these three elements in one entity that leads finally to our park.

- The creating of nodes and green connections starting from the park taking advantage of the high number of tree species already existing, this brings together a safe passage for several bird species that do not exist in the city due to the dominating concrete structure of the city. I addition to improving as well the ecosystem implemented inside the city that leads eventually to an environmental balance for the control of other invasive insects or rats that exist in high number through all neighborhoods.

- Also these nodes and green connections offers alternative routes of people for their daily activities, experiencing nature in its nes implemented form and increasing awareness for people of the high need of green infrastructure through the city as they experience new ecological and sustainable values that they begin to recognize the need of further development in the ecological manner.

- The park is situated inside the historical part of Cairo, and so as represented in the projective drawings, these green connections could take the style of the old Islamic culture of being constructed in polygons shape; leading to the emphasis of the importance of the old city as a cultural heritage that need preserving and modernizing, especially that the design style of the AlAzhar park is made in this kind of old Islamic Moorish style.

- Finally increasing the green to grey ratio will lead to better eiviromental conditions such as decreasing CO2, CO and other toxic gases, and so improving the overall health conditions of the locals and thus lesser spending on health and thus its more economic for the authorities. levels

-
''Green infrastructure has typically multiple functions. What could be achieved for your site in this respect?''

== Projective drawings ==
* ''How would you like this case to change in the near future? (in 1-2 years)''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

* ''And how could it look like in 10-15 years?''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

<gallery caption="Projective Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Green infrastructure evelopement concept.jpg|Green infrastructure evelopement concept
Image:Development stages.jpg|Development stages
Image:Potential Species and humans mobility.jpg|Potential Species and humans mobility
Image:yourdrawing.jpg|projective drawing
</gallery>

== Summary and conclusion ==
*''100 words approx.''

== Image Gallery ==
''Please add further images/photos here''

<gallery caption="Image Gallery" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
</gallery>

== References ==

*''please add your references here''

----
[[Category:Green Infrastructure 2014 Case Study]]

About categories: You can add more categories with this tag: "[[Category:Category Name]]", add your categories

Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 2

2014-12-01T19:10:17Z

Arafaa: /* Projective drawings */

---> back to group page [[Green_Infrastructure_2014_-_Working_Group_H|working group H]]

'''''please add your title here'''''

{| align="right" width="300pt" style="background:Gainsboro; color:black"
|-
| '''Name''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' AlAzhar park and surrounding neighborhood''
|-
| '''Country''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' Egypt''
|-
| '''City''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Cairo''
|-
| '''Authors''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Abdullah Arafa''
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"| [[Image:AlAzhar_park_image.jpg|300px]]
|-
| ||style="background:Lavender"|
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"|{{#widget:GoogleMaps
|width=300
|height=240
|lat=30.0409685
|lng=31.265254099999993
|zoom=15
|centermarker=yes
|maptypecontrol=yes
|overviewmapcontrol=yes
|largemapcontrol=yes
|scalecontrol=yes
}}
|}

== Rationale: Why is this case interesting? ==

AlAzhar park is considered to be the green lung inside a very dense and crowded Metropolitan area of Cairo city, it was built on an old landfill site and designed to be a very attractive monument of the capital.

The most interesting thing about this park that its completely surrounded by grey infrastructure from all directions with no green connectivity whatsoever to any existing park or even natural area, even the near castle or the ElMokattam Hill situated inside Cairo city, which makes it an ideal starting point of establishing a green infrastructure in the surrounding of the park to the city borders. In addition to the fact that this park has a very high number of plant species and water features (though most are artificial) rendering it to be an ecological center of the city and the heart of the first steps of a green infrastructure that can be constructed through the city.

== Author's perspective ==

I am a student in landscape architecture in master degree with a B.Sc and M.Sc in horticulture and garden design, dealing with plants, people and land was my profession for more than seven years and I consider AlAzhar park to be one of the most interesting cases for me concerning landscape architecture and green infrastructure.

The park was built to serve as a monofunction recreation area for the people of Cairo city, with the abundance of open space and activities through the park. It's always very crowded due to the fact that very few public parks still exist in Cairo city and that people escape from grey dull grey infrastructure to this kind of green open space to spend their free time and socialize in such places, in addition to experiencing the fabulous view of the high ground of this park that overlooks the whole city of Cairo and the old historical Islamic monuments situated beside the park.

In my point of view, we can transfer the park from a monofunction structure to a multifunction entity that serves green infrastructure purposes, the existence of all landscape elements in this park makes it an ideal location for these goals, wide variety of plant species, different landuse patterns, high topographic fluctuations, different water features and high density of human contact are all elements that can be promoted for a multifunction landscape serving green infrastructure purposes in a city that does not have any kind of green infrastructure implemented in it's planning and perhaps one day this could be the heart of spreading green infrastructure through the whole city, and thus solving a lot of Cairo's environmental issues of pollution mainly and of coarse all other landscape aspects.

== Landscape and/or urban context of your case ==

'''INTRODUCTION'''

The origins of Al-Azhar Park project date to 1984, when the Aga Khan
Award for Architecture organised a conference on the subject of The
Expanding Metropolis: Coping with the Urban Growth of Cairo. At that time, the
city was confronted by the array of contemporary development challenges
faced by many cities, not least population pressures, a decline in the quality
of housing and the attendant problems these conditions create. Despite
these challenges, the question of how to reconcile conservation and
development was a fairly new one.
It was clear that Cairo needed more green space. One study found that the
amount of green space per inhabitant was roughly equivalent to the size of
a footprint. It is one of the lowest proportions in the world.
It was on the occasion of the conference that His Highness the Aga Khan
announced his decision to finance the creation of a park for the citizens of
the Egyptian capital. The only central location which was of suitable scale
and which lent itself to rehabilitation was the derelict Darassa site, a 30-
hectare (74 acre), 500-year-old mound of rubble in the inner city, between
the eastern edge of the 12th Century Ayyubid city and the 15th Century
Mamluk “City of the Dead”.
While the neighbouring district of Darb al-Ahmar was poor, it featured
one of the richest concentrations of Islamic art and architecture in the
world. The challenge was to revitalise this heritage in ways that turned
traditional notions about cultural monuments on their head - that rather
than being a drain on resources, they could be a stimulus for social and
economic development.
The Park project was therefore intended to be a case study for a variety of
development challenges, ranging from environmental rehabilitation to
cultural restoration. The objective was to create models of development
that could be replicated in many other settings, and in particular in the
historic cities of the Islamic world. Almost one-third of historic cities on
UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites are in the Islamic World. Many face
pressures similar to those of Cairo.

'''HISTORY'''

When the city of Cairo was rebuilt and laid out by the Fatimids in 969–974
(358–363 Hijri), and named al-Quahira (“the victorious”), 20 percent of it
– roughly 30 hectares – was devoted to open space. East of the al-Mu’izz
palace, horse-riding grounds were turned into a royal park and garden and
a large central space to the west was dedicated to military parades and
religious gatherings. A dozen years later, al-Azhar (“the Radiant”) mosque
and theological college were built (989). During the Fatimid, Ayyubid and
Mamluk periods, Cairo was one of the most advanced cities of learning in
the Islamic world. Many landmark buildings around the Park, including
the Citadel, testify to the glory of mediaeval Cairo.
In the first half of the twentieth century, Cairo was still a city of villas and
gardens. In the last 50 years, however, population pressures and high-rise
construction built to meet the consequent demand have made it one of the
largest and most complex cities in the world. Its population has tripled
since 1952, and today greater Cairo has around 17 million people.
The growth was compounded by an urban dynamic characterised by
disinvestment in the city centre areas. The combination of less investment
– particularly in the maintenance and development of housing – and an
influx of people, created stresses in the urban fabric that condemned many
people to lower standards of living. It was widely assumed that the resulting
downward spiral, ending in urban slums, was inevitable. The Aga Khan
Trust for Culture set out to prove that those conditions could be reversed
and that positive change could be sustained.

'''FROM A WASTELAND INTO A PARK'''

When the project of turning a rubble dump into a park that would act as a
catalyst for development was first mentioned 20 years ago, it was considered
outlandish. At that time, the concept of environmental improvement in
cities was limited to planting trees in a few streets. Since then, many cities,
notably Barcelona, have transformed neglected areas into vibrant city
centres, but in the early 1980s, the concept was still new and untested.
Despite scepticism, the local authorities approved the choice of the site
and the first plans were drawn up. The work was delayed by the integration
into the Park site of three large fresh water reservoirs, each 80 metres in
diameter and 14 metres deep. But in 1990 a protocol was signed between
the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Governorate of Cairo that led to
new plans taking into account the water tanks.
In 1992, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture established its Historic Cities
Support Programme, to implement urban rehabilitation projects in different
parts of the Islamic world. Cairo became its most demanding project,
encompassing not only the construction of the Park but the restoration of
the 1.5 kilometre section of the Ayyubid wall revealed by the removal of
the accumulated rubble. It also included the socioeconomic rehabilitation
of the neighbouring Historic City, which required launching of numerous
restoration and community-initiated development projects. The larger area
development project became a testing ground, and a case study, for finding
solutions to challenges ranging from the technical demands of physical
restoration to the equally challenging issues of socioeconomic development.

'''ARCHITECTURE'''

The three buildings (Citadel View Restaurant, Lakeside Café and entrance
building) were the object of a competition between seven international and
Egyptian architectural firms. The Citadel View Restaurant was designed
by Egyptian architects Rami el-Dahan and Soheir Farid. The Lakeside Café
project was awarded to Serge Santelli, Paris.
The total surface of the entrance building is 860 m2, and the Citadel View
Restaurant site is 3965 m2, including the external terraces. The Lakeside
Café has over 1500 m2 usable surface. All buildings have masonry bearing
walls with a high-sand-content limestone cladding, marble and stone
pavements, and marble and ceramic tiles. All the Park buildings rest on
piles or rafts. Nearly all materials used are of Egyptian origin, as is all the
furniture, mostly made by local carpenters in Darb al-Ahmar.

'''LANDSCAPE FEATURES'''

The Park’s site was designed by Sites International, an Egyptian landscape
architectural firm. Most features of the Park were based on the traditional
use of public spaces in Islamic contexts. This legacy can be seen in a variety
of styles from different periods and different regions. It is reflected in the
bustan-like orchard spaces, the shaded sitting areas (takhtaboush) and the
Fatimid archways used in the construction of Park buildings, among other
elements. Persian and Timurid elements are also reflected in the water
channels and fountains. Specific features of the Park include:

· The Royal Palm Promenade

· Geometric Garden

· Southern lookout

· Children’s play area

· Children’s amphitheatre and stage

· Northern lookout plaza and kiosk

· Water cascade garden

· Lake

· Orchard

· Playing fields

· Historical wall promenade and amphitheatre

The fountain and stream-lake are divided into two systems. The cascade
and fountain system, which is approximately 90 metres long, is run by two
pumps that re-circulate the water. The stream and lake are fed directly by
raw Nile water from a nearby municipal line, a pipe measuring
approximately 170 metres off site. The lake water is then filtered
mechanically and pumped throughout the Park’s irrigation main line. The
total length of the main and lateral irrigation lines within the Park site
measures approximately 10 kilometres.
The Park has all necessary amenities, such as ramps and toilet facilities, for
the handicapped. The marble benches and lighting were designed by Sites
International and built by local artisans using local materials.

'''HORTICULTURE'''

The realities of seasonal high temperatures, low humidity, scant rainfall
and desert winds imposed severe conditions on the Park’s plants and trees.
Specialist plant nurseries were created, both on site and outside Cairo, to
identify the best plants and trees for the soil, terrain and climate. The
nurseries also carried out the propagation of the necessary plants to furnish
the Park – 89 varieties of trees, 51 shrubs, five sorts of grass, 14 climbers,
50 groundcover plants and 26 varieties of succulents. Over 655,000 young
plants from cuttings and seed were planted. Most of the lawn was planted
elsewhere and brought in as turf. The lawn areas required four metric
tonnes of grass seed.
The nurseries contain over two million plants and trees, which can be used
not only for replenishing the Park’s vegetation, but for planting in pots in
the courtyards and roof terraces of the historic city, for sale to official and
private garden contractors and for visitors to the Park. A sales outlet for
plants is envisioned on site.

Perhaps the most interesting local varieties of trees are Sycamores, Zyziphus
and four types of Acacia. Other species include the Cassia smallii and Sophoras
arizonica and japonica trees. The non-Egyptian native plants were developed
from stock in the country and adapted to local conditions. A good deal of
experimentation was required to find hybrids that would withstand the
difficult soil conditions found at the Park. Reflecting garden traditions in
both the East and West, many medicinal and culinary herbs were planted in
the Park, including laurel, chamomile, mint, lemon grass, coriander and
thyme. A wide variety of roses have been grafted onto Rosa canina rootstock
to ensure that they will thrive in Park conditions.
The Park utilises an irrigation system providing water through drippers
and sprinklers. The irrigation is regulated by a special weather station in
the Park which calculates the water needs based on temperature, humidity
and wind speed.

<gallery caption= "Illustrations" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
Image:Historical city view.jpg|Historical city view
Image:Park map.jpg|Park map
Image:artificial river.jpg|artificial river

</gallery>

== Analytical drawings ==

<gallery caption="Analytical Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Park analysis.jpg|Park analysis
Image:Surrounding neighborhood analysis.jpg|Surrounding neighborhood analysis
Image:your drawing.jpg|your drawing
Image:your drawing.jpg|your drawing
</gallery>

== Green Infrastructure benefits for this site ==

- Having a kind of an artificial river and lake is very effective for connecting water from this site to the Nile river situated in the western side of the park, in addition to having the old historical Aqueduct that was supposed to connect water from the old historical cairo to the Nile river, this connection could be more of an ecological connection and thus having marine river life through the city.

- The abundance of tree species is a good factor for the beginning of establishing a green infrastructure entity that we could develop nodes and corridors of green connections starting from the park and ending somewhere in the borders of the city, this will promote bird life and will enhance birds mobility through the city, in addition to more species like insects or so may thrive under these variety of plant species. Thus achieving more environmental balance and more natural control of invasive species that harm Egyptian community.

- Eventually increasing green space will lead to better ecological conditions like less pollution, less carbon dioxide rates, more clean air ... etc. of.

- The impact on social life will be dramatic too; the stress on citizens will decrease significantly first because of more relaxing green space that can be offered with connections to important hot spots through the city, that people may start to choose these green routes instead of their regular routes to their daily activities, resulting in an overall improvement in the productivity and welfare of Cairo residents.

- Sustainability is a great issue in Cairo, by increasing the green infrastructure to grey infrastructure ratio; people will start to have social awareness of sustainability and the need of proper use of resources, water management programs could then be implemented in our system and the life style of the citizens could be altered from intensive building and vertical development to more sustainable environmental friendly development that will benefit future generations.

== Potential for multifunctionality ==
''Green infrastructure has typically multiple functions. What could be achieved for your site in this respect?''

== Projective drawings ==
* ''How would you like this case to change in the near future? (in 1-2 years)''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

* ''And how could it look like in 10-15 years?''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

<gallery caption="Projective Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Green infrastructure evelopement concept.jpg|Green infrastructure evelopement concept
Image:Development stages.jpg|Development stages
Image:Potential Species and humans mobility.jpg|Potential Species and humans mobility
Image:yourdrawing.jpg|projective drawing
</gallery>

== Summary and conclusion ==
*''100 words approx.''

== Image Gallery ==
''Please add further images/photos here''

<gallery caption="Image Gallery" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
</gallery>

== References ==

*''please add your references here''

----
[[Category:Green Infrastructure 2014 Case Study]]

About categories: You can add more categories with this tag: "[[Category:Category Name]]", add your categories

File:Potential Species and humans mobility.jpg

2014-12-01T19:09:54Z

Arafaa:

File:Development stages.jpg

2014-12-01T19:08:52Z

Arafaa:

File:Green infrastructure evelopement concept.jpg

2014-12-01T19:07:49Z

Arafaa:

Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 2

2014-12-01T19:04:37Z

Arafaa: /* Green Infrastructure benefits for this site */

---> back to group page [[Green_Infrastructure_2014_-_Working_Group_H|working group H]]

'''''please add your title here'''''

{| align="right" width="300pt" style="background:Gainsboro; color:black"
|-
| '''Name''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' AlAzhar park and surrounding neighborhood''
|-
| '''Country''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' Egypt''
|-
| '''City''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Cairo''
|-
| '''Authors''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Abdullah Arafa''
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"| [[Image:AlAzhar_park_image.jpg|300px]]
|-
| ||style="background:Lavender"|
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"|{{#widget:GoogleMaps
|width=300
|height=240
|lat=30.0409685
|lng=31.265254099999993
|zoom=15
|centermarker=yes
|maptypecontrol=yes
|overviewmapcontrol=yes
|largemapcontrol=yes
|scalecontrol=yes
}}
|}

== Rationale: Why is this case interesting? ==

AlAzhar park is considered to be the green lung inside a very dense and crowded Metropolitan area of Cairo city, it was built on an old landfill site and designed to be a very attractive monument of the capital.

The most interesting thing about this park that its completely surrounded by grey infrastructure from all directions with no green connectivity whatsoever to any existing park or even natural area, even the near castle or the ElMokattam Hill situated inside Cairo city, which makes it an ideal starting point of establishing a green infrastructure in the surrounding of the park to the city borders. In addition to the fact that this park has a very high number of plant species and water features (though most are artificial) rendering it to be an ecological center of the city and the heart of the first steps of a green infrastructure that can be constructed through the city.

== Author's perspective ==

I am a student in landscape architecture in master degree with a B.Sc and M.Sc in horticulture and garden design, dealing with plants, people and land was my profession for more than seven years and I consider AlAzhar park to be one of the most interesting cases for me concerning landscape architecture and green infrastructure.

The park was built to serve as a monofunction recreation area for the people of Cairo city, with the abundance of open space and activities through the park. It's always very crowded due to the fact that very few public parks still exist in Cairo city and that people escape from grey dull grey infrastructure to this kind of green open space to spend their free time and socialize in such places, in addition to experiencing the fabulous view of the high ground of this park that overlooks the whole city of Cairo and the old historical Islamic monuments situated beside the park.

In my point of view, we can transfer the park from a monofunction structure to a multifunction entity that serves green infrastructure purposes, the existence of all landscape elements in this park makes it an ideal location for these goals, wide variety of plant species, different landuse patterns, high topographic fluctuations, different water features and high density of human contact are all elements that can be promoted for a multifunction landscape serving green infrastructure purposes in a city that does not have any kind of green infrastructure implemented in it's planning and perhaps one day this could be the heart of spreading green infrastructure through the whole city, and thus solving a lot of Cairo's environmental issues of pollution mainly and of coarse all other landscape aspects.

== Landscape and/or urban context of your case ==

'''INTRODUCTION'''

The origins of Al-Azhar Park project date to 1984, when the Aga Khan
Award for Architecture organised a conference on the subject of The
Expanding Metropolis: Coping with the Urban Growth of Cairo. At that time, the
city was confronted by the array of contemporary development challenges
faced by many cities, not least population pressures, a decline in the quality
of housing and the attendant problems these conditions create. Despite
these challenges, the question of how to reconcile conservation and
development was a fairly new one.
It was clear that Cairo needed more green space. One study found that the
amount of green space per inhabitant was roughly equivalent to the size of
a footprint. It is one of the lowest proportions in the world.
It was on the occasion of the conference that His Highness the Aga Khan
announced his decision to finance the creation of a park for the citizens of
the Egyptian capital. The only central location which was of suitable scale
and which lent itself to rehabilitation was the derelict Darassa site, a 30-
hectare (74 acre), 500-year-old mound of rubble in the inner city, between
the eastern edge of the 12th Century Ayyubid city and the 15th Century
Mamluk “City of the Dead”.
While the neighbouring district of Darb al-Ahmar was poor, it featured
one of the richest concentrations of Islamic art and architecture in the
world. The challenge was to revitalise this heritage in ways that turned
traditional notions about cultural monuments on their head - that rather
than being a drain on resources, they could be a stimulus for social and
economic development.
The Park project was therefore intended to be a case study for a variety of
development challenges, ranging from environmental rehabilitation to
cultural restoration. The objective was to create models of development
that could be replicated in many other settings, and in particular in the
historic cities of the Islamic world. Almost one-third of historic cities on
UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites are in the Islamic World. Many face
pressures similar to those of Cairo.

'''HISTORY'''

When the city of Cairo was rebuilt and laid out by the Fatimids in 969–974
(358–363 Hijri), and named al-Quahira (“the victorious”), 20 percent of it
– roughly 30 hectares – was devoted to open space. East of the al-Mu’izz
palace, horse-riding grounds were turned into a royal park and garden and
a large central space to the west was dedicated to military parades and
religious gatherings. A dozen years later, al-Azhar (“the Radiant”) mosque
and theological college were built (989). During the Fatimid, Ayyubid and
Mamluk periods, Cairo was one of the most advanced cities of learning in
the Islamic world. Many landmark buildings around the Park, including
the Citadel, testify to the glory of mediaeval Cairo.
In the first half of the twentieth century, Cairo was still a city of villas and
gardens. In the last 50 years, however, population pressures and high-rise
construction built to meet the consequent demand have made it one of the
largest and most complex cities in the world. Its population has tripled
since 1952, and today greater Cairo has around 17 million people.
The growth was compounded by an urban dynamic characterised by
disinvestment in the city centre areas. The combination of less investment
– particularly in the maintenance and development of housing – and an
influx of people, created stresses in the urban fabric that condemned many
people to lower standards of living. It was widely assumed that the resulting
downward spiral, ending in urban slums, was inevitable. The Aga Khan
Trust for Culture set out to prove that those conditions could be reversed
and that positive change could be sustained.

'''FROM A WASTELAND INTO A PARK'''

When the project of turning a rubble dump into a park that would act as a
catalyst for development was first mentioned 20 years ago, it was considered
outlandish. At that time, the concept of environmental improvement in
cities was limited to planting trees in a few streets. Since then, many cities,
notably Barcelona, have transformed neglected areas into vibrant city
centres, but in the early 1980s, the concept was still new and untested.
Despite scepticism, the local authorities approved the choice of the site
and the first plans were drawn up. The work was delayed by the integration
into the Park site of three large fresh water reservoirs, each 80 metres in
diameter and 14 metres deep. But in 1990 a protocol was signed between
the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Governorate of Cairo that led to
new plans taking into account the water tanks.
In 1992, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture established its Historic Cities
Support Programme, to implement urban rehabilitation projects in different
parts of the Islamic world. Cairo became its most demanding project,
encompassing not only the construction of the Park but the restoration of
the 1.5 kilometre section of the Ayyubid wall revealed by the removal of
the accumulated rubble. It also included the socioeconomic rehabilitation
of the neighbouring Historic City, which required launching of numerous
restoration and community-initiated development projects. The larger area
development project became a testing ground, and a case study, for finding
solutions to challenges ranging from the technical demands of physical
restoration to the equally challenging issues of socioeconomic development.

'''ARCHITECTURE'''

The three buildings (Citadel View Restaurant, Lakeside Café and entrance
building) were the object of a competition between seven international and
Egyptian architectural firms. The Citadel View Restaurant was designed
by Egyptian architects Rami el-Dahan and Soheir Farid. The Lakeside Café
project was awarded to Serge Santelli, Paris.
The total surface of the entrance building is 860 m2, and the Citadel View
Restaurant site is 3965 m2, including the external terraces. The Lakeside
Café has over 1500 m2 usable surface. All buildings have masonry bearing
walls with a high-sand-content limestone cladding, marble and stone
pavements, and marble and ceramic tiles. All the Park buildings rest on
piles or rafts. Nearly all materials used are of Egyptian origin, as is all the
furniture, mostly made by local carpenters in Darb al-Ahmar.

'''LANDSCAPE FEATURES'''

The Park’s site was designed by Sites International, an Egyptian landscape
architectural firm. Most features of the Park were based on the traditional
use of public spaces in Islamic contexts. This legacy can be seen in a variety
of styles from different periods and different regions. It is reflected in the
bustan-like orchard spaces, the shaded sitting areas (takhtaboush) and the
Fatimid archways used in the construction of Park buildings, among other
elements. Persian and Timurid elements are also reflected in the water
channels and fountains. Specific features of the Park include:

· The Royal Palm Promenade

· Geometric Garden

· Southern lookout

· Children’s play area

· Children’s amphitheatre and stage

· Northern lookout plaza and kiosk

· Water cascade garden

· Lake

· Orchard

· Playing fields

· Historical wall promenade and amphitheatre

The fountain and stream-lake are divided into two systems. The cascade
and fountain system, which is approximately 90 metres long, is run by two
pumps that re-circulate the water. The stream and lake are fed directly by
raw Nile water from a nearby municipal line, a pipe measuring
approximately 170 metres off site. The lake water is then filtered
mechanically and pumped throughout the Park’s irrigation main line. The
total length of the main and lateral irrigation lines within the Park site
measures approximately 10 kilometres.
The Park has all necessary amenities, such as ramps and toilet facilities, for
the handicapped. The marble benches and lighting were designed by Sites
International and built by local artisans using local materials.

'''HORTICULTURE'''

The realities of seasonal high temperatures, low humidity, scant rainfall
and desert winds imposed severe conditions on the Park’s plants and trees.
Specialist plant nurseries were created, both on site and outside Cairo, to
identify the best plants and trees for the soil, terrain and climate. The
nurseries also carried out the propagation of the necessary plants to furnish
the Park – 89 varieties of trees, 51 shrubs, five sorts of grass, 14 climbers,
50 groundcover plants and 26 varieties of succulents. Over 655,000 young
plants from cuttings and seed were planted. Most of the lawn was planted
elsewhere and brought in as turf. The lawn areas required four metric
tonnes of grass seed.
The nurseries contain over two million plants and trees, which can be used
not only for replenishing the Park’s vegetation, but for planting in pots in
the courtyards and roof terraces of the historic city, for sale to official and
private garden contractors and for visitors to the Park. A sales outlet for
plants is envisioned on site.

Perhaps the most interesting local varieties of trees are Sycamores, Zyziphus
and four types of Acacia. Other species include the Cassia smallii and Sophoras
arizonica and japonica trees. The non-Egyptian native plants were developed
from stock in the country and adapted to local conditions. A good deal of
experimentation was required to find hybrids that would withstand the
difficult soil conditions found at the Park. Reflecting garden traditions in
both the East and West, many medicinal and culinary herbs were planted in
the Park, including laurel, chamomile, mint, lemon grass, coriander and
thyme. A wide variety of roses have been grafted onto Rosa canina rootstock
to ensure that they will thrive in Park conditions.
The Park utilises an irrigation system providing water through drippers
and sprinklers. The irrigation is regulated by a special weather station in
the Park which calculates the water needs based on temperature, humidity
and wind speed.

<gallery caption= "Illustrations" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
Image:Historical city view.jpg|Historical city view
Image:Park map.jpg|Park map
Image:artificial river.jpg|artificial river

</gallery>

== Analytical drawings ==

<gallery caption="Analytical Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Park analysis.jpg|Park analysis
Image:Surrounding neighborhood analysis.jpg|Surrounding neighborhood analysis
Image:your drawing.jpg|your drawing
Image:your drawing.jpg|your drawing
</gallery>

== Green Infrastructure benefits for this site ==

- Having a kind of an artificial river and lake is very effective for connecting water from this site to the Nile river situated in the western side of the park, in addition to having the old historical Aqueduct that was supposed to connect water from the old historical cairo to the Nile river, this connection could be more of an ecological connection and thus having marine river life through the city.

- The abundance of tree species is a good factor for the beginning of establishing a green infrastructure entity that we could develop nodes and corridors of green connections starting from the park and ending somewhere in the borders of the city, this will promote bird life and will enhance birds mobility through the city, in addition to more species like insects or so may thrive under these variety of plant species. Thus achieving more environmental balance and more natural control of invasive species that harm Egyptian community.

- Eventually increasing green space will lead to better ecological conditions like less pollution, less carbon dioxide rates, more clean air ... etc. of.

- The impact on social life will be dramatic too; the stress on citizens will decrease significantly first because of more relaxing green space that can be offered with connections to important hot spots through the city, that people may start to choose these green routes instead of their regular routes to their daily activities, resulting in an overall improvement in the productivity and welfare of Cairo residents.

- Sustainability is a great issue in Cairo, by increasing the green infrastructure to grey infrastructure ratio; people will start to have social awareness of sustainability and the need of proper use of resources, water management programs could then be implemented in our system and the life style of the citizens could be altered from intensive building and vertical development to more sustainable environmental friendly development that will benefit future generations.

== Potential for multifunctionality ==
''Green infrastructure has typically multiple functions. What could be achieved for your site in this respect?''

== Projective drawings ==
* ''How would you like this case to change in the near future? (in 1-2 years)''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

* ''And how could it look like in 10-15 years?''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

<gallery caption="Projective Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:yourdrawing.jpg|projective drawing
Image:yourdrawing.jpg|projective drawing
Image:yourdrawing.jpg|projective drawing
Image:yourdrawing.jpg|projective drawing
</gallery>

== Summary and conclusion ==
*''100 words approx.''

== Image Gallery ==
''Please add further images/photos here''

<gallery caption="Image Gallery" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
</gallery>

== References ==

*''please add your references here''

----
[[Category:Green Infrastructure 2014 Case Study]]

About categories: You can add more categories with this tag: "[[Category:Category Name]]", add your categories

Green Infrastructure 2014 Group H - Case Study 2

2014-11-30T21:47:18Z

Arafaa: /* Analytical drawings */

---> back to group page [[Green_Infrastructure_2014_-_Working_Group_H|working group H]]

'''''please add your title here'''''

{| align="right" width="300pt" style="background:Gainsboro; color:black"
|-
| '''Name''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' AlAzhar park and surrounding neighborhood''
|-
| '''Country''' ||style="background:Lavender"| '' Egypt''
|-
| '''City''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Cairo''
|-
| '''Authors''' || style="background:Lavender"|''Abdullah Arafa''
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"| [[Image:AlAzhar_park_image.jpg|300px]]
|-
| ||style="background:Lavender"|
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:silver"|{{#widget:GoogleMaps
|width=300
|height=240
|lat=30.0409685
|lng=31.265254099999993
|zoom=15
|centermarker=yes
|maptypecontrol=yes
|overviewmapcontrol=yes
|largemapcontrol=yes
|scalecontrol=yes
}}
|}

== Rationale: Why is this case interesting? ==

AlAzhar park is considered to be the green lung inside a very dense and crowded Metropolitan area of Cairo city, it was built on an old landfill site and designed to be a very attractive monument of the capital.

The most interesting thing about this park that its completely surrounded by grey infrastructure from all directions with no green connectivity whatsoever to any existing park or even natural area, even the near castle or the ElMokattam Hill situated inside Cairo city, which makes it an ideal starting point of establishing a green infrastructure in the surrounding of the park to the city borders. In addition to the fact that this park has a very high number of plant species and water features (though most are artificial) rendering it to be an ecological center of the city and the heart of the first steps of a green infrastructure that can be constructed through the city.

== Author's perspective ==

I am a student in landscape architecture in master degree with a B.Sc and M.Sc in horticulture and garden design, dealing with plants, people and land was my profession for more than seven years and I consider AlAzhar park to be one of the most interesting cases for me concerning landscape architecture and green infrastructure.

The park was built to serve as a monofunction recreation area for the people of Cairo city, with the abundance of open space and activities through the park. It's always very crowded due to the fact that very few public parks still exist in Cairo city and that people escape from grey dull grey infrastructure to this kind of green open space to spend their free time and socialize in such places, in addition to experiencing the fabulous view of the high ground of this park that overlooks the whole city of Cairo and the old historical Islamic monuments situated beside the park.

In my point of view, we can transfer the park from a monofunction structure to a multifunction entity that serves green infrastructure purposes, the existence of all landscape elements in this park makes it an ideal location for these goals, wide variety of plant species, different landuse patterns, high topographic fluctuations, different water features and high density of human contact are all elements that can be promoted for a multifunction landscape serving green infrastructure purposes in a city that does not have any kind of green infrastructure implemented in it's planning and perhaps one day this could be the heart of spreading green infrastructure through the whole city, and thus solving a lot of Cairo's environmental issues of pollution mainly and of coarse all other landscape aspects.

== Landscape and/or urban context of your case ==

'''INTRODUCTION'''

The origins of Al-Azhar Park project date to 1984, when the Aga Khan
Award for Architecture organised a conference on the subject of The
Expanding Metropolis: Coping with the Urban Growth of Cairo. At that time, the
city was confronted by the array of contemporary development challenges
faced by many cities, not least population pressures, a decline in the quality
of housing and the attendant problems these conditions create. Despite
these challenges, the question of how to reconcile conservation and
development was a fairly new one.
It was clear that Cairo needed more green space. One study found that the
amount of green space per inhabitant was roughly equivalent to the size of
a footprint. It is one of the lowest proportions in the world.
It was on the occasion of the conference that His Highness the Aga Khan
announced his decision to finance the creation of a park for the citizens of
the Egyptian capital. The only central location which was of suitable scale
and which lent itself to rehabilitation was the derelict Darassa site, a 30-
hectare (74 acre), 500-year-old mound of rubble in the inner city, between
the eastern edge of the 12th Century Ayyubid city and the 15th Century
Mamluk “City of the Dead”.
While the neighbouring district of Darb al-Ahmar was poor, it featured
one of the richest concentrations of Islamic art and architecture in the
world. The challenge was to revitalise this heritage in ways that turned
traditional notions about cultural monuments on their head - that rather
than being a drain on resources, they could be a stimulus for social and
economic development.
The Park project was therefore intended to be a case study for a variety of
development challenges, ranging from environmental rehabilitation to
cultural restoration. The objective was to create models of development
that could be replicated in many other settings, and in particular in the
historic cities of the Islamic world. Almost one-third of historic cities on
UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites are in the Islamic World. Many face
pressures similar to those of Cairo.

'''HISTORY'''

When the city of Cairo was rebuilt and laid out by the Fatimids in 969–974
(358–363 Hijri), and named al-Quahira (“the victorious”), 20 percent of it
– roughly 30 hectares – was devoted to open space. East of the al-Mu’izz
palace, horse-riding grounds were turned into a royal park and garden and
a large central space to the west was dedicated to military parades and
religious gatherings. A dozen years later, al-Azhar (“the Radiant”) mosque
and theological college were built (989). During the Fatimid, Ayyubid and
Mamluk periods, Cairo was one of the most advanced cities of learning in
the Islamic world. Many landmark buildings around the Park, including
the Citadel, testify to the glory of mediaeval Cairo.
In the first half of the twentieth century, Cairo was still a city of villas and
gardens. In the last 50 years, however, population pressures and high-rise
construction built to meet the consequent demand have made it one of the
largest and most complex cities in the world. Its population has tripled
since 1952, and today greater Cairo has around 17 million people.
The growth was compounded by an urban dynamic characterised by
disinvestment in the city centre areas. The combination of less investment
– particularly in the maintenance and development of housing – and an
influx of people, created stresses in the urban fabric that condemned many
people to lower standards of living. It was widely assumed that the resulting
downward spiral, ending in urban slums, was inevitable. The Aga Khan
Trust for Culture set out to prove that those conditions could be reversed
and that positive change could be sustained.

'''FROM A WASTELAND INTO A PARK'''

When the project of turning a rubble dump into a park that would act as a
catalyst for development was first mentioned 20 years ago, it was considered
outlandish. At that time, the concept of environmental improvement in
cities was limited to planting trees in a few streets. Since then, many cities,
notably Barcelona, have transformed neglected areas into vibrant city
centres, but in the early 1980s, the concept was still new and untested.
Despite scepticism, the local authorities approved the choice of the site
and the first plans were drawn up. The work was delayed by the integration
into the Park site of three large fresh water reservoirs, each 80 metres in
diameter and 14 metres deep. But in 1990 a protocol was signed between
the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Governorate of Cairo that led to
new plans taking into account the water tanks.
In 1992, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture established its Historic Cities
Support Programme, to implement urban rehabilitation projects in different
parts of the Islamic world. Cairo became its most demanding project,
encompassing not only the construction of the Park but the restoration of
the 1.5 kilometre section of the Ayyubid wall revealed by the removal of
the accumulated rubble. It also included the socioeconomic rehabilitation
of the neighbouring Historic City, which required launching of numerous
restoration and community-initiated development projects. The larger area
development project became a testing ground, and a case study, for finding
solutions to challenges ranging from the technical demands of physical
restoration to the equally challenging issues of socioeconomic development.

'''ARCHITECTURE'''

The three buildings (Citadel View Restaurant, Lakeside Café and entrance
building) were the object of a competition between seven international and
Egyptian architectural firms. The Citadel View Restaurant was designed
by Egyptian architects Rami el-Dahan and Soheir Farid. The Lakeside Café
project was awarded to Serge Santelli, Paris.
The total surface of the entrance building is 860 m2, and the Citadel View
Restaurant site is 3965 m2, including the external terraces. The Lakeside
Café has over 1500 m2 usable surface. All buildings have masonry bearing
walls with a high-sand-content limestone cladding, marble and stone
pavements, and marble and ceramic tiles. All the Park buildings rest on
piles or rafts. Nearly all materials used are of Egyptian origin, as is all the
furniture, mostly made by local carpenters in Darb al-Ahmar.

'''LANDSCAPE FEATURES'''

The Park’s site was designed by Sites International, an Egyptian landscape
architectural firm. Most features of the Park were based on the traditional
use of public spaces in Islamic contexts. This legacy can be seen in a variety
of styles from different periods and different regions. It is reflected in the
bustan-like orchard spaces, the shaded sitting areas (takhtaboush) and the
Fatimid archways used in the construction of Park buildings, among other
elements. Persian and Timurid elements are also reflected in the water
channels and fountains. Specific features of the Park include:

· The Royal Palm Promenade

· Geometric Garden

· Southern lookout

· Children’s play area

· Children’s amphitheatre and stage

· Northern lookout plaza and kiosk

· Water cascade garden

· Lake

· Orchard

· Playing fields

· Historical wall promenade and amphitheatre

The fountain and stream-lake are divided into two systems. The cascade
and fountain system, which is approximately 90 metres long, is run by two
pumps that re-circulate the water. The stream and lake are fed directly by
raw Nile water from a nearby municipal line, a pipe measuring
approximately 170 metres off site. The lake water is then filtered
mechanically and pumped throughout the Park’s irrigation main line. The
total length of the main and lateral irrigation lines within the Park site
measures approximately 10 kilometres.
The Park has all necessary amenities, such as ramps and toilet facilities, for
the handicapped. The marble benches and lighting were designed by Sites
International and built by local artisans using local materials.

'''HORTICULTURE'''

The realities of seasonal high temperatures, low humidity, scant rainfall
and desert winds imposed severe conditions on the Park’s plants and trees.
Specialist plant nurseries were created, both on site and outside Cairo, to
identify the best plants and trees for the soil, terrain and climate. The
nurseries also carried out the propagation of the necessary plants to furnish
the Park – 89 varieties of trees, 51 shrubs, five sorts of grass, 14 climbers,
50 groundcover plants and 26 varieties of succulents. Over 655,000 young
plants from cuttings and seed were planted. Most of the lawn was planted
elsewhere and brought in as turf. The lawn areas required four metric
tonnes of grass seed.
The nurseries contain over two million plants and trees, which can be used
not only for replenishing the Park’s vegetation, but for planting in pots in
the courtyards and roof terraces of the historic city, for sale to official and
private garden contractors and for visitors to the Park. A sales outlet for
plants is envisioned on site.

Perhaps the most interesting local varieties of trees are Sycamores, Zyziphus
and four types of Acacia. Other species include the Cassia smallii and Sophoras
arizonica and japonica trees. The non-Egyptian native plants were developed
from stock in the country and adapted to local conditions. A good deal of
experimentation was required to find hybrids that would withstand the
difficult soil conditions found at the Park. Reflecting garden traditions in
both the East and West, many medicinal and culinary herbs were planted in
the Park, including laurel, chamomile, mint, lemon grass, coriander and
thyme. A wide variety of roses have been grafted onto Rosa canina rootstock
to ensure that they will thrive in Park conditions.
The Park utilises an irrigation system providing water through drippers
and sprinklers. The irrigation is regulated by a special weather station in
the Park which calculates the water needs based on temperature, humidity
and wind speed.

<gallery caption= "Illustrations" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="3">
Image:Historical city view.jpg|Historical city view
Image:Park map.jpg|Park map
Image:artificial river.jpg|artificial river

</gallery>

== Analytical drawings ==

<gallery caption="Analytical Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Park analysis.jpg|Park analysis
Image:Surrounding neighborhood analysis.jpg|Surrounding neighborhood analysis
Image:your drawing.jpg|your drawing
Image:your drawing.jpg|your drawing
</gallery>

== Green Infrastructure benefits for this site ==

- Having a kind of an artificial river and lake is very effective for connecting water from this site to the Nile river situated in the western side of the park, in addition to having the old historical Adequate that was supposed to connect water from the old historical cairo to the Nile river, this connection could be more of an ecological connection and thus having marine river life through the city.

- The abundance of tree species is a good factor for the beginning of establishing a green infrastructure entity that we could develop nodes and corridors of green connections starting from the park and ending somewhere in the borders of the city, this will promote bird life and will enhance birds mobility through the city, in addition to more species like insects or so may thrive under these variety of plant species. Thus achieving more environmental balance and more natural control of invasive species that harm Egyptian community.

- Eventually increasing green space will lead to better ecological conditions like less pollution, less carbon dioxide rates, more clean air ... etc. of.

- The impact on social life will be dramatic too; the stress on citizens will decrease significantly first because of more relaxing green space that can be offered with connections to important hot spots through the city, that people may start to choose these green routes instead of their regular routes to their daily activities, resulting in an overall improvement in the productivity and welfare of Cairo residents.

- Sustainability is a great issue in Cairo, by increasing the green infrastructure to grey infrastructure ratio; people will start to have social awareness of sustainability and the need of proper use of resources, water management programs could then be implemented in our system and the life style of the citizens could be altered from intensive building and vertical development to more sustainable environmental friendly development that will benefit future generations.

== Potential for multifunctionality ==
''Green infrastructure has typically multiple functions. What could be achieved for your site in this respect?''

== Projective drawings ==
* ''How would you like this case to change in the near future? (in 1-2 years)''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

* ''And how could it look like in 10-15 years?''
** ''you may add a short explanation here''

<gallery caption="Projective Drawings" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:yourdrawing.jpg|projective drawing
Image:yourdrawing.jpg|projective drawing
Image:yourdrawing.jpg|projective drawing
Image:yourdrawing.jpg|projective drawing
</gallery>

== Summary and conclusion ==
*''100 words approx.''

== Image Gallery ==
''Please add further images/photos here''

<gallery caption="Image Gallery" widths="150px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
Image:yourimage.jpg|your image text
</gallery>

== References ==

*''please add your references here''

----
[[Category:Green Infrastructure 2014 Case Study]]

About categories: You can add more categories with this tag: "[[Category:Category Name]]", add your categories