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Purpose This paper aims to address socio-spatial challenges facing the sustainable regeneration of the 19th-century historic covered Attaba market. One of the few remaining historic market buildings in Cairo. Understanding these challenges is crucial as there is a pressing need for these buildings to be included in the national heritage regeneration policies that would foster their role as sustainable socio-economic urban nuclei within the city center. Design/methodology/approach The paper detects the socio-spatial transformation of the Attaba market through the comparison of archival material. This is supported by observations on the current socio-spatial aspects of the market including forms of interactions, conflicts and interventions of various user groups. A number of 30 semi-structured interviews with traders of the Attaba market were conducted inside the market, along with in-depth observations carried out between 2016 and 2018. Finally, information about local policies toward the market is obtained through interviews with local officials currently managing the market, namely, the Egyptian Endowment Authority and Cairo Governorate. Findings The findings reveal a lack of clear regeneration policy and a complete absence of public participation in decision-making. These factors erode the crucial role these markets play in revitalizing the city’s socio-economic strength and threaten their tangible and intangible values. Originality/value The paper focuses on one of the understudied building types that, however, represent key opportunities for the sustainable development of their contexts. The paper proposes a framework that can be applied to regenerate the Attaba market and its surroundings. When tested, the framework can be also adjusted and applied to the other historic covered markets in Cairo.

Historic districts are unique with its urban fabric, which hosts various activities and land uses. Such districts in the city center of cities are very active with many different users. Each activity attracts different users. Thus, urban mobility is very essential issue for these districts to function properly. Recent urban mobility needs are very different to those in former times, when these districts were built. Therefore, these districts are no longer compatible for contemporary urban mobility, thus, there are many problems facing these districts in reference to the urban mobility. Zamalek, as one of the most important colonial district in the city center of Cairo, suffers from deteriorated urban mobility situation. This deterioration is mainly due to concentration of activities and densification. This paper is analyzing the existing condition in Zamalek in terms of urban mobility. This, also, includes the urban planning analysis in relation to the urban mobility. The current problems are very challenging, thus innovative concepts shall be implemented to ensure sustainable urban mobility in Zamalek. This paper recommends a set of action plans localized for the current condition in Zamalek and based on successful practices in other cities.

Il est inhabituel dans un pays arabe de s'intéresser au legs architectural et urbain de l'époque du mandat étranger, ou des différents régimes coloniaux, pour en réclamer ouvertement sa sauvegarde. On en parle effectivement peu, même si les politiques publiques de patrimonialisation dans certains pays de la Méditerranée du Sud intègrent en partie ce legs.L'Égypte tranche avec ce mutisme. Depuis près de quinze ans, la question de la sauvegarde des sites et objets de la fin du XIX' siècle et du début du xx' y est débattue sur la place publique. Elle est à l'ordre du jour dans les médias, au cours des tables rondes et des grandes manifestations culturelles et scientifiques. On assiste même à l'éclosion d'une nostalgie généralisée pour «cette belle époque» et d'une passion pour ses symboles matériels qui se développent au sein de l'élite culturelle. Le succès croissant des feuilletons de télévision sur la vie sociale d'antan dans des quartiers conçus au cours des deux siècles précédents, tels que Garden City, Helméya AI Guédida, le centre moderne du Caire ou Zizinia à Alexandrie; l'engouement pour les ouvrages de photos des beaux immeubles de rapport de style «occidental », ceux qui relatent la gloire d'une époque, sont là pour en témoigner '. La protection des bâtiments dits « de grande valeur» a mobilisé au cours de la décennie écoulée de nombreux acteurs: des ministères (celui de la Culture, celui de l'Information et de la Technologie, celui de l'Habitat), des collectivités locales, des centres de recherche universitaires, des bureaux de consultants et même des hommes d'affaire et des commerçants. * Architecte-urbaniste. Directrice de Recherche à I·IRD. UR029 URBI Environnement urbain. Correspondance: Mission IRD en Égypte.