As a follow-up to the previous book which, in 2005, presented the results of two years research and exchanges on the development of the Sayeda Zeinab neighbourhood in Cairo, this new publication focuses on the conclusions of a second series of studies carried out within the framework of the Cairo - Paris decentralised cooperation programme in 2006 and 2007, on the territory stretching from Ibn Tûlûn to the aqueduct.
Covering an area of approximately six square kilometres, it is currently undergoing rapid and in-depth transformations. In the middle of the 19th century, the solitary straight line of the aqueduct stood out in a vast territory of sand and stones. The abattoirs built at the turn of the century marked the beginnings of a new urbanization, which continued over the years in response to urgent needs with no real consideration for its coherence. Today, an ultra-modern hospital can be found on the site of the abattoirs, which were moved some ten years ago, two thousand new homes are progressively replacing the precarious housing in Zeinhum and each day office buildings can be seen taking over pockets of traditional houses which are falling into ruin. These new building projects generate increasing movements of the population and attract new commercial businesses, which in turn necessitate new services. Local authorities are concerned that these rapidly increasing transformations should be carried out within a controlled framework which ensures the unity of the town, respects the environment and contributes to improving the living conditions of its inhabitants.
This publication endeavours to share the reflections and work carried out jointly by teams from Paris and Cairo in response to these issues.
