**The historical heritage of downtown Cairo: a cultural wealth to be preserved**
Downtown Cairo, the true historical heart of the city, is full of buildings and structures steeped in history. These monuments, witnesses of a bygone era, are at the center of attention of the National Organization for Urban Harmony (NOUH) in Egypt, headed by Mohamed Abu-Saada. In a recent telephone interview with Amr Adib on the show “Fatshimetrie”, Abu-Saada wanted to clarify a crucial point: the government offices in downtown Cairo are not for sale.
On the contrary, these government buildings located in the city center and along the Nile will be reused as part of partnerships with the private sector. Abu-Saada insists that these buildings must be preserved in their historical integrity and adequately highlighted.
Downtown Cairo, with its architectural and cultural wealth, is not only a nerve center of the Egyptian capital, but also a must-see tourist destination. Abu-Saada emphasizes the importance of the two main parts of this historic center: Historic Cairo and Khedivial Cairo.
He recalls that government buildings occupying palaces and buildings of great historical value have been transferred to the New Administrative Capital, thus making way for a tourist and cultural reuse of the sites. The ongoing development efforts aim to restore and enhance the facades of buildings, even those that are not historic but have a unique architectural charm.
The redevelopment plan for buildings in central Cairo includes the creation of pedestrian zones, the study of traffic flows and the conservation of the facades of buildings with a distinctive architectural style. The standards adopted for the rehabilitation of these buildings aim to preserve their original character while ensuring modern and appropriate uses.
In short, the preservation of the historical heritage of central Cairo and its rehabilitation for contemporary uses constitute a major challenge for the preservation of the cultural identity of the city and for the enrichment of its tourist attractiveness. Thanks to a respectful approach to history and architecture, the center of Cairo remains a cultural treasure to be protected and enhanced for future generations.