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Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy launched the “Historic Cairo Forum — An Integrated Vision for a Sustainable Future” this week in partnership with the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss ambitious projects aimed at restoring and developing Cairo’s historic districts.
The minister also highlighted plans for a comprehensive archaeological site map to streamline visitor experiences and the establishment of a fully integrated visitor centre designed to enhance tourism services and amplify the area’s cultural significance.
He stressed that simultaneous execution is essential to preserve the area’s distinctive historical and urban character, ensuring that the restoration efforts meet the high standards befitting such a culturally significant site.
Nuria Sanz praised the dedicated efforts of the working groups behind the proposed projects presented at the forum, which form an integral part of the preservation and rehabilitation plan for Historic Cairo. She highlighted that these initiatives represent a significant milestone in the longstanding collaboration between UNESCO and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, ensuring their effective and successful implementation.
Sanz emphasised that the projects are the culmination of two years of meticulous work, underscoring the historical and archaeological significance of Historic Cairo. She reaffirmed UNESCO’s commitment to providing ongoing support and valuable contributions towards realising these projects and expressed strong confidence in the working groups’ continued progress toward their successful execution.
The seven key projects presented at the forum included:
Citadel Area: This project offers targeted strategies to reduce energy consumption and incorporate renewable energy sources within the existing structures of the Citadel. It also aims to enhance historical awareness by employing augmented and virtual reality technologies. Utilising advanced 3D systems and sensors installed throughout the archaeological site, it seeks to significantly improve environmental performance and reduce emissions, promoting sustainable preservation of this iconic heritage landmark.
Fustat archaeological area: This project seeks to actively involve the local community in everyday life, fostering the preservation of cultural heritage alongside promoting environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Through the development and management of both private and public green spaces, it aims to create a vibrant, sustainable urban environment that supports community engagement and heritage conservation.
Al-Gammaliya archaeological area: This seeks to integrate the creative industries with intangible cultural heritage within urban planning and Historic Cairo development. It addresses the challenges facing traditional crafts, preserves infrastructure and historical identity, and reimagines the tourist experience to offer an integrated cultural heritage site model combining preservation and economic development.
Al-Darb Al-Ahmar archaeological area: This project aims to capitalise on the historical and architectural significance of heritage buildings by developing multifunctional cultural, economic, and social centres. It promotes the adaptive reuse of historic structures to revitalise the district and empower local communities. Emphasising sustainable tourism, the initiative seeks to enhance the visitor experience through improved pedestrian access along key routes and the introduction of environmentally friendly transportation options. This approach underscores a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and cultural preservation while harnessing heritage assets to stimulate economic and cultural development.
East Cairo archaeological area: This project involves developing a comprehensive plan for a tourist path starting from the Prince Ibn Barqouq Complex, passing the Military Martyrs’ Tombs, and several unregistered but historically significant buildings, including Princess Shwikar’s tomb, ending again at the Ibn Barqouq Complex. It highlights the area’s diverse historical and architectural fabric. The project includes establishing a visitor centre equipped with a multimedia hall offering virtual tours simulating the proposed route, programmes to raise archaeological awareness in the local community, and the revival of heritage crafts such as metal and glass engraving, leatherwork, and others, supporting the local economy and preserving cultural heritage.
Imam Al-Shafie archaeological area: This project focuses on expanding green spaces to mitigate the impacts of climate change and address groundwater challenges. It proposes the use of these areas for urban agriculture and the creation of green buffers along major traffic corridors to reduce pollution affecting adjacent urban and archaeological zones. Additionally, the plan includes the potential development of a community garden serving as a welcoming gateway to the Imam Al-Shafie, Al-Laith, and Southern Cemetery districts, enhancing both environmental sustainability and community engagement.
Al-Azhar and Al-Ghouri archaeological area: This focuses on reopening and adaptively reusing archaeological and heritage buildings to become cultural centres for local residents, providing vocational training for craftsmen and artists and hosting cultural activities aimed at the local community.
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