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Sustainable Urban Regeneration of Historic City Centres-

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European Journal of Sustainable Development (2013), 2, 31- 54 ISSN: 2239-5938
Sustainable Heritage Development: Learning from

Urban Conservation of Heritage Projects in Non
Western Contexts
By
Dr. Amira Elnokaly1 and Dr. Ahmed Elseragy2

Abstract
Urban conservation has been a subject of academic and professional discourse for over
three decades. Conservation in this paper is seen as an umbrella term that covers a wide
spectrum of issues that can be classified under three categories: socio-physical, socio-
cultural, and environmental concerns. It is also manifested as a process of evolutionary
development which involves preserving, restoring, and adapting old structures, while
introducing new ones; a process that respects the continuity of history and tradition, the
needs of inhabitants and their cultural aspirations. This understanding indicates that urban
conservation is a process of continuous yet controlled interventions in the environment.
The extent and the degree of such an intervention is dependent upon crucial factors that
include the value system adopted by the society, the resources available, and the cultural
and environmental context within which such an intervention takes place. With an
ultimate goal to discern lessons from urban conservation practices, urban rehabilitation and
adaptive re-use is discussed with reference to a number of non-western case studies. The
paper aims at exploring the merits of six conservation and rehabilitation projects which
have received considerable coverage and recognition on a national and international level
while they have not been put into contextual comparison with others. Merits of these
projects are analyzed and highlighted in this article to work as an archetype for similar
projects around the world. The paper concludes that to maintain sustainability of the
revitalisation and urban conservation approaches, the typical urban tissue and essential
qualities of the historic areas and of the life of the communities residing there should be
maintained, while adapting the physical structures and activities to some of today’s
requirements.
Keywords: Cultural sustainability; Sustainable heritage development; Belonging

and identity; Sustainable urban Conservation; Rehabilitation and revitalization;
Environmental quality; Non-western contexts; Strategies and strategic plans.
| 1. Senior Lecturer, Program Leader Msc Sustainable Architectural Design Lincoln School of
Architecture, University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, Tel: +44 1522 837178
2. Associate Professor, Arab Academy for Science Technology and Maritime Transport,
Founder and Director at IBEX (International British Exchange for Knowledge and culture)
Tel: +44 7803516683
32 European Journal of Sustainable Development (2013), 2, 1, 31-56
1. Introduction
Environmentalists, economists, architects and urban designers, and even

politicians worldwide are now preaching for conservation and especially urban
conservation, each for his/her own purpose and in fact in his/her own
terminology. The premise of this paper is that while there have been a
considerable debate within the developed world on urban conservation, efforts
that were undertaken in the developing world do not seem to have been
sufficiently addressed in recent discussions. The concomitant result is a lack of
knowledge about the realities of urban conservation in developing countries,
which may lead, in turn, to miss opportunities for learning from outstanding
urban interventions in non-western contexts. The physical environment in non-
western contexts reflects the intersection between place, culture, society, and the
available technology. Typically, it encompasses a range of well established
traditions and practices where the symbols of religious, political, institutional, and
economic powers are often competing. After the Second World War, re-building
of old urban areas of historic cities occurred across Western Europe in the 1950s
and into the 1960s that led to a much greater awareness of the unique character of
these older areas and the need to treat them sensitively and constructively.
(Graber, 1993) Urban conservation in those countries is generally understood as a
process of continuity and change which forms the backbone of any urban culture
and society.
Projects identified for this study are selected from Egypt, Palestine,
Tunisia and Uzbekistan. These were selected based on their scale, scope of
interests, contextual constraints, and the economic realities of their localities.
Thus, the methodology adopted is to analytically compare these projects based on
the criteria for selecting them. Another methodological mechanism is undertaken
based on a cross case study analysis and content analysis procedure of the
literature on these projects. Within such an analysis, issues underlying the three
categories of socio-physical and socio-cultural and environmental concerns are
debated. The procedure involves identification of key parameters amenable to and
normally associated with successful urban conservation projects. These include
participation and democracy in decision making, providing educational and job
opportunities; re-building local communities, raising the standards of living, socio
economic development, rapprochement of tourism and culture, developing
adaptive re-use schemes and environmental awareness programs. The analysis
indicates that urban conservation is a process of change and development rather
than romanticism or radical redevelopment. In essence, the projects analyzed
emphasize a number of successful indicators which could help establish guidance
for undertaking future urban interventions exemplified by infill and conservation
projects in similar contexts. The results of implementing this multilayered
Published by ECSDEV, Via dei Fiori, 34, 00172, Rome, Italy http://ecsdev.org
A. Elnokaly and A. Elseragy 33
methodology offers important lessons that could be adopted yet adapted to both
western and non western contexts.
2. Sustainable Urban Conservation: A Medium for Change
Urban conservation of heritage sites in cities contributes largely towards

upgrading environmental quality, thus serving as a fundamental catalyst for
change. Lichfield (1988) defines two main motivations for conservation which are
resource value and responsibility towards the others respectively. Resource value
is an important value for conserving existing stocks since; in general term,
conservation of historic stocks saves more resources (that is a sustainable
approach), than the construction of new ones, especially when the quality of those
stocks is generally superior to the new ones. (Tiesdell et al.,1996) Responsibility
towards the others is another value that led certain countries to act as trustees not
only for future generations but also for non-nationals around the world.
Concomitantly, historic stocks are considered trust to be kept and delivered for
others. In that sense Steinberg (1996) argues that due to a good number of local
conservation groups and the existence of international cultural organisations, such
as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
(UNESCO), the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and
Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and the International Commission
on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) monuments have at least a "lobby" and are
in a somewhat more favourable situation than urban historic sites and residential
areas.
The above organisations offer some success in their efforts to achieve
greater interest for the course of preservation and conservation of old monuments
of historic value. However, in the course of concern over “monuments” this often
excludes historic residential areas and historic city centres which equally represent
the urban heritage. In addition, to other cultural non-tangible elements of urban
heritage such as: customs and beliefs. These non-tangible elements play a key role
for the articulation of complex space use and the built environment. (Hampikian,
1999) Development projects taking place in historic districts tends to attract a
variety of economic activity and competition, therefore encouraging both new
inhabitants and visitors to revisit and rediscover these restored vicinities of their
cities. Moreover, upgrading the physical built environment, social fabric and urban
spaces within the historical urban structure all contribute towards increasing their
adoption as places for public congregation and activity. This consequently
increases social interaction and cohesion between citizens. Furthermore,
conservation and regeneration of historic sites most evidently located at city
centres tends to re-affirm residents' feelings of identity and sense of belonging.
© 2013 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2013 European Center of Sustainable Development.
Furthermore, urban conservation in its broader term preserving tradition,

social and cultural aspects as well as the physical improvement of historic
buildings is often witnessed as an approach towards higher levels of sustainability.
According to Stren and Polese (2002), one of the main aims of sustainable urban
policy is to "bring people together, to weave parts of the city into a cohesive whole, and to
increase accessibility (spatial and otherwise) to public services and employment (Stren and Polese,
2000)." In addition, sustainable areas are those which are created to support
sustainable living, with a prime focus being placed on economic, social and
environmental sustainability. (McDonald et al., 2009) This is of distinguished
importance in historic districts (quarters) which tend to represent and symbolise a
diverse set of ideals of the city's identity, including its history and culture on one
hand, and its local economic viability on the other. (Elnokaly, A, et al, 2007)
In spite of the fact that in 1979 the UNESCO has listed historic Cairo in
UNESCO World Heritage List, However, it is not till the last decade when there
has become a genuine alertness and interest in Cairene urban heritage. (Sutton et
al. 2002) Albeit, there have been several successful urban conservation projects on
different levels, the political commitment is still lacking or very difficult to obtain,
and even the concerted efforts of international and national heritage organisations
have not been able to generate such support. (Antoniou et al. 1985) Cairo has
benefited only from a number of rather isolated cases of monument restoration,
financed, for instance, by foreign archaeological institutes and other bilateral
donor agencies and due to lack of that political support has missed out on a
World Bank loan. (Lewcock, 1984)
However, it is not the intention here to provide a comprehensive analysis
of all previous attempts and aspects that hinders some of the projects, but the aim
is to analyse two particular successful projects named below in this paper.
Furthermore, investigating the issue of cultural sustainability and sustainable
urban conservation in these projects is of crucial significance to this paper.
3. The Nature of Conservation
With the increasing argument over global warming and climate change,
Conservation as a process of sustainable development in historic cities has been
the subject of many debates in recent years. Although academics and practitioners
applaud the new awareness of environmental concerns, some scholars argue that
these apprehensions are still not enough to adequately address the problems of
conservation. Concomitantly, the authors assert that any conservation policy or
practice needs to incorporate economical, social and cultural sustainability into its
current models.
Conservation in American Heritage Dictionary (AHD, Ed., 2005) means
the act of conserving. It is defined as the controlled use and the systematic
protection of resources, restoration of natural or built environments and the

ecological environments that inhibits them. When tracing the term conservation
in the literature that has been developed over the last two decades one can find
that it has several dimensions. Some definitions offered in physical terms by
Feilden (1982) identified seven degrees of intervention arguing that the minimum
the intervention the better the conservation. These terms are prevention of decay,
preservation, consolidation, restoration, rehabilitation, reproduction, and
reconstruction. Salama (2000) argues that these terms are currently used
interchangeably, which makes the understanding of the nature of conservation
difficult.
For the purpose of this paper the definition provided by Donald
Appleyard (1977 & 1979) that introduced a broader classification in physical and
social terms is seen as the most significant one to be used for the projects
analysed in this study. He identified three classes of interventions. These are: 1)
deep conservation, which attempts to restore a historical area in a rigorous and
accurate form, 2) surface conservation, which attempts to maintain the public face
or the physical appearance of a historic building or area, and 3) deep social
conservation, which attempts to ensure jobs for local inhabitants, controls rents,
and provides new services and amenities. Consequently, conservation is
presented in both a dynamic and active sense, and this implies that it generates an
overall environmental improvement in a historic area.
A common feature in all six projects analysed in this paper and as
discussed in some of the literature (Ashworth, 1997, Andreae, 1996) is that they
all adopt the belief that any physical improvement of a historic building or area
should go in parallel with preserving traditions and cultural values, eradicating
poverty, creating employment opportunities, and improving the standards of
living while proposing a new use of some of the buildings. Cultural values are
seriously considered in the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage (2003) includes immaterial aspects as symbols of cultural
diversity that should be protected as well.
4. Methodology
This paper aims at scrutinizing several successful conservation projects

that have been carefully selected in historic cities that includes, Al Darb Al Asfar
project, and Darb Qirmiz Quarter Project in old Cairo, Egypt, Conservation and
reconstruction of Hafsia Quarter II, and conservation project of Sidi Bou Said
Village both in Tunisia. The other two projects include Restoration of Bukhara
old city, Bukhara, Uzbekistan and the conservation of Hebron Old town, Hebron
Palestine. These six case studies have been selected on the basis of national and
international recognition as contained in the AGA Khan Trust awards. A
narrative approach is used to present each case study and cross case analysis was
used to compare the findings and merits of each case.
5. Conservation Projects in Old Historic Cities
Over the past 50 years many studies, projects, and planning proposals
have been made to conserve historic, heritage sites in different parts of the world.
In the following sections we are going to analyse six different projects that
involves conservation, restoration, rehabilitation and reconstruction from four
different countries.
5.1 Learning from Cairo’s Sustainable Urban Regeneration

The first two projects this article looks at are in Cairo, Egypt. Campbell
and Comodromos (2009) proposed a radical vision for the future of the alleyway
communities (hawarri) of heritage sites of old Cairo: with their own analysis and
understanding of the complex spatial organization of old Cairo, they have
abstracted this knowledge into “speculative skyscraper that verticalizes the
complex interrelationship of informal social networks and urban/civic form.
Their design reduced the community to a spatial and morphological abstraction,
in a layered stratum of services and land uses that ascended in social significance
to the mosque at the top. (Campbell and Comodromos, 2009) They believed that
this would simulate the complex social interactions and norms present within the
medieval fabric of Islamic Cairo, utilizing accepted characteristics that had been
“reinforced in the sub- conscious of the population over centuries.” Shehayeb
(2007) argues that a bottom-up methodology approach is the best methodology to
be uptaken in conservation projects of historic cities and most specifically in Cairo
which is disregarded in their proposal. This is supported by Bianca (2000) and
Rodwell (2007) concept where they both argue that - authenticity - is the
backbone of modern conservation philosophy and practice, based on consistent
information sources. For Architects and consultants that are not aware of the
regions in which conservation and rehabilitation is undergone, data collection and
inquiries include a qualitative in-depth survey aiming to assert everyday life-style
patterns in the neighbourhood, as well as what the residents valued most in their
area. The typical relationship between socio-spatial setting and architecture in Old
Cairo has further been described by Stephen Kern (2003) as comprising a “path”
that is “closed by masonry.” “The Egyptians conceived of space as a narrow path
down which the individual soul moves to arrive at the end before ancestral judges.
Their most distinctive constructions are not buildings but paths enclosed by
masonry,” which represents the alleyway and the narrow street of the harrah
(alley). Kern (2003) observation would thus disagree with the abstraction of all
the socio-spatial complexity of old Cairo’s everyday life in the proposal by

Campell and Comodromos.
In Similar vein, Rodenbeck (1983, p. 26) argued that to save monuments
in isolation from their ‘environment’, i.e., the spatial quality of urban fabric, was a
sterile waste of time. There was an urgent need to recapture old Cairo’s ‘‘size,
splendour and dynamism’’ in a more holistic way. To further reinforce this
suggestion, Lewcock (1989, p. 8), responding to the 1980 UNESCO Plan, argued
that ‘‘it was felt that it was the uniqueness of ensemble that was the real quality of Old Cairo.
Individually, the buildings are not all masterpieces, but collectively their character is strong and
fascinating”. This approach was challenged during the 1980s for the Gamaliya area
by Abdel Fattah and Abdelhalim (1989), who advocated renovation through
demolition. They argued that 60% to 65% of the buildings (excluding
monuments) ‘‘must be regarded as ripe for redevelopment’’, which meant ready
for demolition. They further advocated that a certain amount of gentrification was
inevitable along with greater traﬃc access to Old Cairo with more parking
availability, as it would produce economic returns. (Sutton and Fahmi, 2002) This
rehabilitation approach of demolition has been demonstrated for the 1990s by
Aboukorah (2005) for the Al-Ghuriya quarter where, despite the permanency of
the street pattern, numerous new buildings of sometimes up to 8 or 10 storeys
have been constructed. In addition, other older buildings have been altered
through the addition of further storeys, thus affecting the city’s skyline and urban
fabric. This approach often tended to block the traditional self organization of
local communities which used to function for centuries. Additionally, it sacrificed
traditional institutions and systems in favor of a more centralized and bureaucratic
ones that does not have the tools to deal with the intricate and complex problems
in the historic city. (Bianca 2004) Sedky (2009) define the most important factor
that might be responsible for the decline of historic cities to a
psychological/culture nature in regards to the negative impressions and attitudes
towards the historic districts which were mainly influenced by the interpretation
of the Western concept of Modernism.
5.2 Al Darb Al Asfar Project

The project of Al Darb Al Asfar exemplifies a real experiment for limited
restoration, but wider conservation (Shehayeb and AbdelHafiz, 2006). The idea of
a home in this historic urban space has long involved fluid socio spatial
associations and made efficient dynamic use of space, activity and time. As other
areas of heritage and cultural value, the area surrounding Al Suhaymi House (Bayt
Al Suhaymi) depicted in Figure 1 in Al Darb Al Asfar alley of Al Gamaliyah
district in old Cairo was neglected for years. However, it has acquired a new image
recently along with other distinguished houses in the alley. There were 3 main
houses in the alley that were rehabilitated and restored and these were Al Suhaymi
House (1648), Mostafa Gaafar House (1713), and Al Khorazati house, a living
example of residential architecture of the 19th century, they were then all allocated
adaptive functions to fit within the wider development of the area. (Bianca and
Siravo, 2005) Architects working in such sensitive heritage contexts must
understand the dynamics of this complex traditional system, if they are to develop
locally informed functions, genuine designs that build on everyday local practices
and the wider regeneration strategy for the area.
Man’s relation to locales, and through locales to spaces, inheres in his dwelling, the
relationship between man and space is none other than dwelling, thought essentially.
-Martin Hiedegger
The notion of the dynamic use of space and the understanding of locale is
seen here as the key to a successful restoration and conservation of AlDarb
Alasfar. In 1994 documentation and preservation processes started, based on a
Fund from Arab Association for Social Development. (Abada, 2000) After
restoration they were then all allocated adaptive functions to fit within the wider
development of the area. As restoration proceeded in the three houses the
surroundings were also improved, including infrastructures such as electricity,
water, and sewage systems that were all renovated. The project adopted implicitly
the integrated urban conservation approach, and employed many of the concepts
underlying cultural sustainability. (AKTC, 2005) The community of the alley was
encouraged to design ways to keep their neighbourhood clean and pleasant,
providing a vehicle for environmental awareness. Via a participatory approach,
regular meetings were held with over 100 families to discuss various aspects of
renovation. This has resulted in the neighbourhood forming a society for
preserving the character of the alley and maintaining the quality of life they aspire
to.
The integration of social, physical, and environmental work in
conservation represents an integrated approach toward conservation and can be
replicated in other comprehensive projects in old Cairo and elsewhere in the
World. Although this project is an exemplar that represents a culturally sustainable
urban conservation process (AKCS-E, 2003), the challenge of implementing other
project proposals undertaken by several organizations remains to be seen
unreachable.
Figure 1. (a) Perspective cross section of AlSuhaymi House (b) The Master plan of AlDarb Alasfar, (After:
Salama, 2000)
5.3 Darb Qirmiz Quarter, Cairo, Egypt

Completed in 1980-1983
The Darb Qirmiz is a residential neighbourhood in the 10th-century
Fatimid quarter of Cairo is shown in Figure 2. The major monuments of the
district, the oldest dating from the 14th century, follow a narrow meandering
street that bisects the neighbourhood. They include three madrasas, a palace,
mausoleum, fountain and bazaar (Williams, 2002 B). The restoration of all seven
monuments has been planned as the first step in the rehabilitation of the larger
area (AKAA, 1983). The award honours the completion of Phase I which includes
the restoration of the Madrasa of al-Anuki, a Mamluk building dating from A.D.
1368, and the Mausoleum of Sheikh Sinan, dating from A.D. 1585. (Lewcock, R.,
1983) The conservation work included the replacement of corroded stone and
loose plaster surfaces, and the repair or replacement of all damaged decorative
work, carpentry and original painted surfaces in the original techniques and
materials. The project has employed the finest masons, plasterers and carpenters
left in Cairo thus supporting inevitable local skills. The jury commended "the high
quality and purity of the restoration work evident throughout and its positive
value for the surrounding community."
a. Madrasa of Sabiq al Din al Anuki

b. Tomb of Sheikh Sinan
c. Fountain of Abdal Rahman Kathuda
d. Madrasa of Tatar Al Higaziya
e. Palace of Bastak Al Nasiri
f. Wakalat Bazaar
g. Madrasa of Gamal Aldin Yusuf Al Ustadar
Figure 2. Darb Qirmiz Quarter and buildings that undergone rehabilitation and restoration
(After; AKAA 1983)
5.4 Restoration of Bukhara Old City, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Completed in 1975
The old city of Bukhara was founded 2,500 years ago. Within its ancient
city walls and gates are 500 standing monuments: they include 24 madrasas, 48
mosques, 14 caravanserais, 9 mausoleums, 4 trading domes, the Ark citadel, and
many hammams, old houses, and canals (AKAA-a, 1995). The restoration
programme began in the late 1960's under the USSR, and has been continued by
Uzbekistan since its independence in 1990. The primary aim is to conserve the
major monuments and landmarks in the centre of the old city, and to re-integrate
them into the life of the bordering districts depicted in Figure 3. Because most of
the upgraded mosques, madrasas, mausoleums, and other monumental structures
are no longer used as such, a new function was found for each. Some madrasas,
for example, have been turned into craft centres, studios, and galleries. One has
become a restoration institute where future restorers are trained. Other structures
have had their old functions renewed.
A caravanserai is a silk and cloth warehouse revitalised, and trading domes
are renewed as active suqs. Among the great landmarks restored are the Samanid
Mausoleum, the Mir-i Arab Madrasa, and the Kalyan Minaret.
Figure 3. (a) Central Bukhara Restoration Plan; (b) Samanid Mausoleum built in the 9th- 10th centuries; (c) The
Poi-Kalyan built between the 12th and 16trh century, After: (AlRadi 1995)
To open up the old centre, thereby allowing the monuments to be better seen,
mediocre buildings of the 1950's were removed. Utilities have been upgraded, and
the streets paved. Old Bukhara, no longer a derelict slum, is now a viable
prosperous city. (AlRadi, 1995) The Aga Khan (AKAA-a, 1995) jury believes that
"the restoration of Bukhara sends a very strong message to the rest of the Islamic
world of the need to restore and re-integrate old cities into new ways of life."
5.5 Reconstruction of Hafsia Quarter II, Tunis, Tunisia

Completed in 1986
The Hafsia Quarter is located in the eastern part of the old Medina of
Tunis. Once a wealthy district, by the early 1960's it had deteriorated badly. In
1967, the Association de Sauvegarde de la Médina was established to study and
protect the urban fabric of the old city of Tunis, and improve the living
conditions of its inhabitants. The first phase of the reconstruction of Hafsia,
completed in 1977, received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1983
(AKAA-b, 1995).
(b)
(a)
(c)
Figure 4. (a) Decorative elements emphasise the exterior of houses in the long whitewashed houses facades (From:
Davidson, Cynthia, 1995); (b) View from roof top of a kindergarten; (c) View of Rue Errakah (Photos courtesy:
Fadel, R., 1995)
The current phase is the continuation of this work, and builds upon the
earlier experience. It includes the upgrading of the existing water services and
main utilities, and the rebuilding of roads and access routes, as well as the
reconstruction of housing, shops, offices, and public facilities. In addition to the
rehabilitation of existing dwellings, 400 new housing units have been constructed.
These units adopt the traditional model of two-storey blocks arranged around an
internal courtyard. The architectural vocabulary employs traditional elements such
as mashrabiyya, partially covered streets, and accentuated corner details as seen in
Figure 4. This simplicity of expression not only relates to the historic context, but
adds unity to the development, and responds to budgetary constraints. In dealing
with such issues as appropriate institutional development, needed legislative
changes, and effective financial implementation, the jury found the collaboration
and inter-disciplinary co-ordination expended on Hafsia II to be exemplary.
(AKAA-b, 1995) The experience gained and the solutions that evolved are
relevant to all the varied problems faced by those who wish to save the historic
old cities in today's Islamic world.
A. Elnokalyy and A. Elseraagy 43
5.6 Conservation n of Sidi Bou Saïd,

S Tunis, Tunisia
T
Com mpleted in 1973
This form
mer summer reesort village haas become a yyear-round ressidential
areaa of Tunis. Buiilt on a hill abo
ove a magnificeent cliff and thee Bay of Carthaage, the
natuural beauty of the site enhan nces the interesst of the town.. Its urban fabric sure
sim
milar to Le Touurneau (in Raym mond 1994) co omments on th he Muslim cityy in the
Magghreb as he deescribes the buuildings, instead d of being inteegrated into a planned
p
desiign, have forced the streets to turn round d them, or to cut through th hem, as
best as they coulld. The buildin ngs are a mix of Mauresquee and some Italianate
elem
ments organiseed contiguouslyy along a tangleed pattern of sttreets surroundding the
cen
ntral mosque an nd suq seen in Figure 6.
Figuure 5. An Overview of
o Sidi Bou Said from
m the Southeast, (Frrom: Holod, Renata and Darl Rastorfer.
r. 1983)
Thee coming of mass m tourism brrought increasiing pollution aand traffic conggestion.
Mo oreover, the lattter posed a seriious threat to the
t geological sstability of the cliff. A
man nagement plan n prepared byy the Districtt of Tunis, en nacted in 19778, sets
direections for the control of devvelopment and land use (AKA AA, 1980).
Thee town depicted in Figure 5 received a citatiion from the A Aga Khan jury "for
" the
effoorts over a longg period of timme by a commuunity toward thee conservation n of
their villagge. Based on trrue understandiing of the arch
hitectural values of the
villaage, legislationn has been enacted contro olling maintenaance, expansio on and
vehhicular circulatiion, and the seense of place has been keptt. (AKAA, 19880) The
connservation of the t village maaintained Hakiim (2001) fivee core pillars for the
onggoing process of growth an nd change witthin a city. T These five pillaars are:
© 2013 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2013

2 European Centeer of Sustainable Deveelopment.
freedom; control; tolerance; adjustment; custom and tradition of the local

community. In essence, Sidi Bou Saïd has retained not only the picturesque quality
of a village, but its very essence”.
(b)
(c)
(a)
Figure 6. (a) View from the café overlooking the souq; streets and semipublic spaces between buildings provide areas
for positive social interaction; (b) View to the sea from the minaret of the mosque and shrine of Sidi Bou Said; (c)
Tunis Region map depicting Sidi Bou Said and Proximity to Cape Carthage archaeological site, (From: Holod,
Renata and Darl Rastorfer. 1983)
5.7 Rehabilitation of Hebron Old Town, Hebron, Palestine

Completed in 1995 and ongoing
Hebron, an old and sacred town 32 km to the south of Jerusalem, is a very
important religious centre for Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. (Davidson,
ed.,1998) The ancient city lies to the south-east of the modern turn-of-the-century
city, and possesses a remarkable stone architecture evidenced in Figure 7, most of
which was built in the 18th Century. Since its occupation by Israel in 1967,
Hebron has been a focus of Jewish settlement. Almost a decade ago, the Hebron
Rehabilitation Committee was created, as a result of a decision by Yasser Arafat,
to develop a programme to renew the town for Palestinian habitation In January
1997, Israel turned over 80 percent of the administration of Hebron to the
Palestinian Authority, thereby enabling the actual reconstruction of the old town
to begin.
(a) (b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 7. (a) Overview of Hebron old town; (b, c, & d) Photos depicts finished work; photo Courtesy: the Architect,
the Aga Khan Award available at: http://archnet.org/library/files/one-file.jsp?file_id=567
The sector under revitalisation consists of large, extended-family houses built of

thick stone walls with vaulted superstructures and arranged in a compact urban
texture. Most of the clusters do not suffer from major structural problems. No
extensive reconstruction is contemplated, only work necessary to make them
structurally sound and functional (Davidson, ed.,1998). The rehabilitation includes
running water, sewage, and drainage services. The jury notes "the skills,
competence, and courage of the community, as well as the architectural relevance
of the work and the promising future of the rehabilitated city", and that "this
approach is valid for urban situations in many other parts of the world."
5.7.1 Plans to Conserve the Old City, Hebron Rehabilitation Committee

Conserving Hebron’s Old City and developing the surrounding regions
are a top priority for institutions operating in the city. HRC endeavoured to
restore complete neighbourhoods in preparation of returning them to normal day-
to-day life. Hebron’s municipality worked on developing the infrastructure in the

city, while government and community institutions strove to provide the
necessary services to the Old City and its inhabitants, within the limits of available
resources. (Yavuz, 1998) The Old City conservation project aims to present an
integrated plan to safeguard the historic centre of the City of Hebron and create
the means to guarantee its economic and social revival and to integrate it with the
rest of the city’s fabric. It especially seeks to present a planning framework
entitled “detailed project to conserve and develop the Old City”, based on
protecting the traditional architectural fabric. It also seeks to generate friendly
conditions to attract new residents and investors interested in developing this
historic region.
HRC collaborated with Riwaq – Centre for the Conservation of
Architectural Heritage in the Old City – in an experience which may be
considered an achievement for both of them, with HRC obtaining a concept for
conserving the Old City, which details the general trends of its present and future
action, while Riwaq contributed to explaining the historic preservation of a very
important Palestinian region. Planners and project workers acquired new
experience in the practical implementation of theoretical concepts. This represents
a great enrichment of Palestine’s modern experience in this regard. The plan
included the development of important sectors in and around the Old City.
Since the Old City lies in the middle of town, not all aspects of
development could be discussed, and some were postponed to a later phase. The
conservation plan produced a sequence of projects covering the development plan
over the next ten years. (Yavuz, 1998). This plan will be reviewed every five years
and a rolling plan will be devised to guarantee continued development over a
period of 25 years.
6. Cross Case Analysis
In the following section a cross case analysis is carried out for the six case
studies investigated in this paper. A technical review underlying urban
conservation is carried out looking at seven main aspects which are: the type of
project; the local architecture; the local climate; site topography; general objectives
of the project; functional requirements and design concepts.
Table 1: The conservation of Historic Areas; Response to historic area issues using three different sets of conservation project proposals and objectives
PROJECT AL DARB AL DARB QIRMIZ QUARTER RESTORATION OF RECONSTRUCTION CONSERVATION OF REHABILITATION OF
PROPOSALS / ASFAR BUKHARA OLD OF HAFSIA QUARTER SIDI BOU SAÏD HEBRON OLD TOWN
TECHNICAL CITY II
REVIEW
UNDERLYING
URBAN
CONSERVATION
Type of Project Restoration, Restoration, Restoration, Reconstruction Conservation Rehabilitation,
Conservation Conservation Reconstruction Reconstruction,
Revitalization
Local Buildings average Buildings are an average of Brick with low It’s a city of varied A rich mixture of Dating back to the 18th
Architecture of 12 to 15m. The 15m high. Monuments are skyline 2 or 3 style, Hafsid mauresque and some century, a remarkable
walls of the houses constructed of stone faced storeys, interrupted stonework inspired ‘italianizing’ elements stone architecture of
were built of half walls, with a core of by tall minarets. minarets and ceramic organized around the tightly knit clusters of
timbered poorer rubble material. Sections of town panels along with main landmarks, the irregularly arranged
construction of an Upper levels of walls and gates white washed facades mosque and tomb of cubic volumes. Houses
infilling of brick monuments are sometimes survived, rest was seems harmonious as “Cheikh Bou Said. usually; have 2 or 3
and rubble. Roofs constructed in brick. destroyed part of Tunisian art Developed to be a storey, whose spaces are
and floors of Floors often of patterned and architecture, summer resort for asymmetrically clustered
shaped wooden marble or stone slabs. alongside Andalusian the rich with lovely around a courtyard, with
beams. Small Domestic buildings of green tiled domes. gardens, white windows that have no
windows and poorer quality materials Climatic influences washed walls, narrow frames or glass panes,
mashrabiyas are with same height. appeared in loggias, windows, only timber shutters,
predominant. terraces and balconies. mashrabiyas, domes opening on courtyards
and vaults are most and its semi opened
predominant. vertical extension.
Local Climate Mild in winter with Mild in winter with Dry arid climate, Mediterranean semi- Mediterranean semi- Receives a fair amount
occasional rains, occasional rains, with hot hot summers up to arid climate arid Climate of rainfall, still has a
with hot summers. summers. 40°C and summers shortage of water,
20-23°C. average winter temp.
10°C and 28°C in
summer.
Site Topography A flat sit The site appears flat, but Flat plain and semi Tunis is located on a Built on a hill above The highest town in
has a gentle fall from east desert lands rather flat site, with a a magnificent cliff Palestine, it is the base
to west and from north to slope of 1% from west and the bay of and lower slopes of the
south. to east, with Hafsia on Carthage. four mountains that
the northern eastern surrounds it.
edge, on low grounds

towards which storm
water would normally
flow.
General To adopt an Rehabilitating an ancient Revitalising the The recreation of the To manage the scale To bring back life to the
Objectives integrated urban quarter in the Fatimid city historic centres of traditional urban and structure of the old city as well as
conservation of Cairo, via conserving the old town, via fabric and upgrading village, and preserve preserve it culture and
project. the seven listed restoration, the infrastructure. its historical basic architecture. To restore
Restoration of the monuments and then reconstruction or Rehabilitation of 600 pattern and the old town buildings,
3 listed houses in rehabilitating all the upgrading of the housing units along morphology. The alleys and small shops
the area, while houses in the quarter. monuments and with the construction first decree of and bring the dwellings
improving the proper reuse. of 400 housing, restoration and up to contemporary
surroundings. commercial and office conservation signed standards of habitation.
Electricity, water, units. Maintaining a in 1915 and was To counteract the
and sewage harmonious followed by other political pressure to
systems were relationship with the decrees till 1973. evacuate the old town
renovated. existing morphology and to avoid its
of the old city. becoming a target for
Israeli settlement.
Functional Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation and Had to be restored An infrastructure Has to be restored No extensive
Requirements restoration of the revitalization of the whole and provided with development and to consider mass construction and
Darb alsfar ancient Fatimid city. basic utilities. Most involving installation tourism. To consider minimum amount of
quarter. Allocating Retaining authenticity in importantly new and improvements to its limit road to work to make dwellings
proper functions the area. Most of the proper function, as street networks, Carthage structurally sound again.
to houses restored buildings within the no practicing utilities and services. A archaeological site. Main interventions
to reflect the quarter either are used as Muslims were left rehabilitation Considering the include the provision of
cultural implication their original function as after Soviet rule. component involving social and economic extra stairs when the
they are required the mosques or a proper Buildings that restoration, reuse and structure for future present one doesn’t suit
to reflect. new function have been survived was upgrading of decayed developments. Some its function or structure.
designated to them. Mosques and structures. of the old houses Addition of running
khanqas. Reconstructing were turned into water, electricity, or
buildings on vacant touristic hotels. other infrastructures.
land and on sites Repairing or altering
cleared by demolition. spaces to fit new
plumbing or life styles.
Design Concepts 1. Project adopts 1. Replacement of 1. Restoration 1. Detailed studies and 1. An integral 1. No Radical changes
implicitly the all stones which have concentrated mainly analysis for conservation that should be made to the
integrated urban become corroded. on the major infrastructure, merits its history, exterior facades,
conservation 2. removing plaster monuments and reconstruction of spiritual and 2. alterations should be
approach, and that has become damp and areas around them. units, and symbolic minimised
employs many of replacing it with same type 2. Bringing down rehabilitation and significance. 3. Changes must be in
the concepts executed in the traditional modern eye sores reuse of spaces were 2. Preserving the harmony with
underlying cultural way. that clashed with carried out. basic pattern and architectural character.
sustainability. 3. Replacement of historic image. 2. User interaction at a morphology of the 4. Natural ventilation
2. User interaction. damaged decorative work 3. creating large very early stage for village. through courtyards
3. Adaptive reuse keeping it as closely as open areas within user satisfaction. 3. Repairing and should not be altered or
of buildings possible to original work. the old town for 3. Landscaping restoring old by changes in spaces.
restored. 4. Reconstructing visual integrity considering minimal buildings. 5. Niches and
4. Facades of other missing decorations that 4. Restoring impact on traditional 4. Modifications of decorations shouldn’t be
building were can be clearly identified. buildings to their urban fabric. facades of new altered or closed.
painted, doors Careful cleaning, repair or original form using 4. An architectural buildings to suit the 6. Visual appearance of
renovated, and replacement of damaged traditional vocabulary based old. vaults and mastabas
lighting posts wood in doors, screens, decorative features mainly on the 5. Character and should not be altered.
replaced. etc. and motifs. traditional architecture volume of new
The alley was made Adding proper of the area has been buildings to match
a pedestrian only landscaping developed. the old.
zone and paved elements and 6. User interaction
with limestone. features. for a self preserved
site.
7. Discussion and Conclusion

There is an urgent requirement for rehabilitation and heritage
conservation strategies which aims at sustaining the essential qualities of the
historic sites in old cities along with the life of their resident communities. These
strategies should adapt these physical structures while maintaining the everyday
life of the people. This approach not only introduces new uses for historic
heritage buildings which supports today’s life style requirements but should also
be able to provide for future generations to come. The intent of this paper is to
highlight lessons that can be learned from looking at conservation projects of
historic and heritage sites in Developing countries. The appropriate technical and
social solutions provided by sustainable urban conservation of these projects are
analysed in detail in the cross case analysis in the above section. Developing
countries have high expectations out of the conservation projects and this can be
seen in transformation carried out in the rehabilitation and conservation of some
of their old towns and cities. Sustainable urban conservation has been addressed
in a wide variety of projects in different contexts. The paper carried out a
comparative analysis for some of the urban conservation projects awarded some
prestigious awards like the Aga Khan and other national and international awards.
The projects analysed identify a new architectural idiom and reflect the diversity
of needs and resources within the Developing World.
By and large, the paper introduced a responsive scenario/agenda for

cultural sustainability of historic cities. It examined and analyzed conservation and
rehabilitation project proposals in four different countries as an exemplar for
achieving high conservation and rehabilitation schemes in urban conservation
efforts. These projects aimed at delineating the positive and negative aspects
within the scope of social and cultural sustainability and based on a
comprehensive approach for sustainable urban conservation. The success of these
projects as discussed in earlier can be summed in some key aspects such as: public
participation and awareness at early stages of the project; an implicit approach of
integrated urban conservation; employing many of the concepts underlying
cultural sustainability; preserving the basic pattern and morphology of the urban
fabric and the use of space; minimal interventions following a scrutinized analysis
and assessment of the monuments or buildings involved; a bottom up approach
and involving all stakeholders from the beginning of the projects; restoring
buildings to their original form using traditional decorative features and motifs.
Another key feature that led to success of most of these revitalisation projects is
high impact propaganda that helped in mobilizing and selling the idea of
rehabilitation to the residents.
Sustainable urban conservation of historic towns and cities is viewed as a

comprehensive approach that integrates several processes that pertain to historic
buildings and their physical urban context as presented in the examples analysed.
These along with the socio/economic environment within which the city exists
and operates. The paper envisaged that the problems of historical centres would
not be solved by individual projects that focus on the conservation and
rehabilitation of their architectural and urban spaces. Rather, they can be solved
by those policies and concrete programs that address the needs of the inhabitants
such as reducing poverty, increasing employment, upgrading local communal
services, and most importantly, empowering and enabling the local inhabitants to
positively participate in the planning and management of their environment. This
is also to ascertain user satisfaction and sustainable continuing conservation of
those sites. To be able to achieve this, it will be necessary to enable change in the
political agenda and environment in which historical sites are rehabilitated and
regenerated in the true essence. Concomitantly, policies and governmental
practices should be modified accordingly.
It is envisioned that for successful sustainable urban conservation projects

to take place it requires a lot than choosing the best conservation strategy, or
relocation policies. It should involve educational and environmental campaigns to
teach local communities the merits of conservation and to highlight the historical,
functional, and ontological ties that bid them with their city. It should work on
the development and assuring the sense of belonging to a place.
To conclude, some open ended and philosophical questions need to be

addressed when we are dealing with sensitive historic sites:
• First; What are we trying to preserve? A number of major buildings? The

urban character? A way of life?
• Second; Why do we want to preserve whatever it is we choose to preserve?

Because it is part of our heritage? To improve the lot of inhabitants of the
old city? Or to generate a new resource to earn money through tourism, retail
or other activities?
• Third; Who are we preserving historic areas for? Are the present users to be
the prime beneficiaries of the intervention? Or the country at large? Or is it
being done for the sake of generations yet unborn?
Depending on how the previous set of questions is answered, the

responsibility for action and the type of intervention will differ dramatically.
These interventions work in both developing and developed worlds. Unless these
questions are answered, different parties will continue working in isolation, and
will continue to talk at cross-purposes. We should be a culture that guarantees for
the future. With all community work, and specifically with work related to historic
context the social and cultural aspect and the beliefs of the people plays a major
role in shaping those environments. It is indeed vital that with such community
work, it is important to have a two-way channel of vision and not a one way
approach. Some organizations should take these questions seriously and search
for answers. Otherwise, historical and heritage sites will either disappear because
of the uncoordinated efforts and the contradictory approaches to conservation, or
will turn into an open air museum, perhaps physically pleasant, but socially lifeless.
Acknowledgements:
The Authors would like to thank Professor Ashraf Salama, Chair and Professor
in architecture and currently the Head of the Department of Architecture and Urban
Planning at Qatar University, for his valuable guidance and feedback within the early
stages of this research.
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Sustainable Urban Regeneration of Historic City Centres-

Conference Paper · October 2011

Amira Elnokaly Ahmed Elseragy

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Sustainable Heritage Development: Learning from

Dr. Amira Elnokaly1 and Dr. Ahmed Elseragy2

Keywords: Cultural sustainability; Sustainable heritage development; Belonging

Environmentalists, economists, architects and urban designers, and even

2. Sustainable Urban Conservation: A Medium for Change

Urban conservation of heritage sites in cities contributes largely towards

Furthermore, urban conservation in its broader term preserving tradition,

3. The Nature of Conservation

protection of resources, restoration of natural or built environments and the

This paper aims at scrutinizing several successful conservation projects

5. Conservation Projects in Old Historic Cities

5.1 Learning from Cairo’s Sustainable Urban Regeneration

the socio-spatial complexity of old Cairo’s everyday life in the proposal by

5.2 Al Darb Al Asfar Project

5.3 Darb Qirmiz Quarter, Cairo, Egypt

a. Madrasa of Sabiq al Din al Anuki

5.4 Restoration of Bukhara Old City, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

5.5 Reconstruction of Hafsia Quarter II, Tunis, Tunisia

5.6 Conservation n of Sidi Bou Saïd,

© 2013 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2013

freedom; control; tolerance; adjustment; custom and tradition of the local

5.7 Rehabilitation of Hebron Old Town, Hebron, Palestine

The sector under revitalisation consists of large, extended-family houses built of

5.7.1 Plans to Conserve the Old City, Hebron Rehabilitation Committee

to-day life. Hebron’s municipality worked on developing the infrastructure in the

6. Cross Case Analysis

edge, on low grounds

7. Discussion and Conclusion

By and large, the paper introduced a responsive scenario/agenda for

Sustainable urban conservation of historic towns and cities is viewed as a

It is envisioned that for successful sustainable urban conservation projects

To conclude, some open ended and philosophical questions need to be

• First; What are we trying to preserve? A number of major buildings? The

• Second; Why do we want to preserve whatever it is we choose to preserve?

Depending on how the previous set of questions is answered, the

Abada, G. (2000). Al Darb Asfar: Limited Restoration to Wider Conservation. Medina

Director of the Islamic Section), Cairo, Egypt, Completed:1980

A Speculative Skyscraper for Islamic Medieval Cairo,” Rensselaer Polytechnic

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