Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced, on Saturday, that the government is currently working to revive historic Cairo, and that the urban revival plans depend on several axes.
These include rehabilitating archaeological and heritage buildings, and integrating them into the historic urban surroundings.
Madbouly’s remarks came during his inspection visit to the project to develop the Cairo Citadel Aqueduct.
The Prime Minister said that the country’s plans to preserve historical areas and restore their splendour is dependent on urban rehabilitation. This will take place through improving and rehabilitating the built environment, housing, infrastructure, and improving local services.
During the tour, Madbouly directed for the removal of violations at all work sites, and developing schools near the Cairo Citadel Aqueduct area.
Assem El Gazzar, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, said that the total area of the projects to develop Cairo Citadel Aqueduct stands at about 399,000sqm. He said that the project includes an administrative and commercial building, as well as a number of tourist bazaars, restaurants, parking spaces.
The project will also include establishing 70 heritage buildings, which will include about 1,692 residential units, El Gazzar added. He pointed out that 70% of the construction work on the residential units will have taken place by the end of February, along with about 20% of the internal and external finishes works.
The residential buildings under construction will start from Salah Salem Road to the Cairo Citadel Aqueduct. Those buildings are between one storey and six storeys high, with building heights decreasing as they approach the Cairo Citadel Aqueduct to ensure they are not higher than the Aqueduct itself.
Madbouly also undertook an inspection of the project’s commercial area, which will be established on an area of about 51,000 sqm. This area will be allocated for creating and selling handicrafts products.
