Fatshimetrie: Encroachment on Historical Gardens and Urban Development in Zamalek, Egypt
Preserving the environment, urban and historical order is a crucial issue in Zamalek, Egypt. Recently, Abdel-Moneim Emam, member of the House of Representatives and head of the Justice Party, submitted a request for a briefing to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Environment, the Minister of Youth and Sports, and the Governor of Cairo, regarding the encroachment on the environment and the urban and historical order.
Emam called for the suspension of any development projects in the Al-Zohriya Archaeological Garden and the Fouda Tower in Zamalek. He stressed the need to form a committee to restore the archaeological garden in accordance with the law, with the aim of preserving and restoring the heritage gardens, in accordance with the guide of the National Urban Coordination Authority regarding the development of heritage gardens.
Al-Zohriya Garden, registered under the number “0318000133”, is to be restored in accordance with the guide for gardens with distinctive architectural character approved by the Supreme Council for Planning and Urban Development. The garden’s greenhouses, which are over 150 years old and were founded in 1868, are considered antiques under the Heritage Protection Law No. 117 of 1983.
As for the Fouda Tower, informally nicknamed “the abandoned tower of Zamalek”, it was built in the 1970s to become a hotel with over 50 floors. However, it has remained in a dilapidated state since its construction. The tower is not operational due to the lack of a private garage, although the license obtained when it was built in 1972 does not stipulate this.
Controversy has erupted over proposals to build a garage for the tower on the land of the Gezira Club and the adjacent fish garden. Concerns have been raised about the reduction of an area of the historic garden in the Zamalek district and a green area of the Gezira Club.
In 2014, the then Minister of Antiquities, Mohamed Ibrahim, refused to approve a plan to build a garage along the wall of the fish garden in Zamalek, due to the risk it poses to the garden.
It is crucial to resolve this issue without harming the Gezira Club and its members, especially after previous intrusions on its land for other projects. Preserving the environment, heritage and urban order must remain a priority in Zamalek.
In conclusion, preserving the historic gardens and urban heritage in Zamalek is essential to preserving the history and identity of the region. Authorities must act diligently to protect these sites from encroachment and ensure that urban development is carried out in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner.