Downtown Cairo Streetscapes
Downtown Cairo Streetscapes
This streetscape design emphasizes microparks that create a green matrix of usable open space imbedded into the street fabric. Replacing the more customary Eurocentric rows of trees, which are difficult to maintain and ill-suited to Cairo’s public life, these “micro-parks” typically feature a raised garden or paved space of 30 to 50 square meters, with a cluster of broad canopy shade trees or architectural trellis for climate control. Low seat walls provide seating and define the perimeter. The interiors of the micro-parks incorporate leafy gardens and informal seating areas that accommodate spillout from adjacent cafés and other businesses. The resulting open spaces embrace the authentic way that Caireans use the street network, providing outdoor social spaces that provide respite from urban frenzy.
SWA Group: www.swagroup.com
Location Cairo, Egypt Client General Organization of Physical Planning, Cairo SWA Scope Urban Design Master Planning Streetscape Design Size 375 hectares (927 acres)
This streetscape design emphasizes microparks that create a green matrix of usable open space imbedded into the street fabric. Replacing the more customary Eurocentric rows of trees, which are difficult to maintain and ill-suited to Cairo’s public life, these “micro-parks” typically feature a raised garden or paved space of 30 to 50 square meters, with a cluster of broad canopy shade trees or architectural trellis for climate control. Low seat walls provide seating and define the perimeter. The interiors of the micro-parks incorporate leafy gardens and informal seating areas that accommodate spillout from adjacent cafés and other businesses. The resulting open spaces embrace the authentic way that Caireans use the street network, providing outdoor social spaces that provide respite from urban frenzy.
SWA Group: www.swagroup.com
Location Cairo, Egypt Client General Organization of Physical Planning, Cairo SWA Scope Urban Design Master Planning Streetscape Design Size 375 hectares (927 acres)
