Egypt advances plans to upgrade historic Cairo with Azbakeya, Ataba projects

Daily News Egypt
4 Min Read

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Saturday inspected the progress of several major development projects in historic Cairo, including the completed revival of the heritage Azbakeya Garden and the ongoing upgrade of the Ataba market, as part of a comprehensive government initiative to revive the capital’s historic areas.

The tour, which included the ministers of local development and housing, the governor of Cairo, and other senior officials, underscored the state’s multi-faceted approach to preserving architectural heritage while improving public spaces and boosting the economic and social value of central Cairo.

Madbouly began his tour at the Azbakeya Garden, which has undergone a complete revival and is set to be reopened to the public soon as a recreational park. Housing Minister Sherif El-Sherbiny described the site as one of the capital’s oldest parks and the only major green space in the Khedivial Cairo plan, adding that the work focused on reviving the architectural and heritage value of its historic buildings.

The project involved renewing the garden’s historic lake using the latest systems, restoring its archaeological fountain, and carefully rehabilitating and reinforcing its old trees. During his inspection, the prime minister directed officials to formulate an integrated plan for operating the heritage park to ensure it is managed with the highest efficiency and to preserve the extensive restoration work.

Egypt advances plans to upgrade historic Cairo with Azbakeya, Ataba projects

Adjacent to the garden, Madbouly followed up on the new Azbakeya book market, which has replaced the famous old book wall. He praised the modern design of the stalls, which are named after great Egyptian writers and thinkers and maintain a unified architectural theme. In a symbolic gesture, the prime minister handed over contracts to a number of beneficiaries who had moved from the old location to the new market. The stall owners expressed their pride in the new, civilized environment.

The prime minister’s tour also included a review of the executive status of the Ataba market development project. He said the project aims to transform the historic and informal market into an organised, modern commercial centre that aligns with sustainable urban development while creating a safe commercial environment that supports the integration of informal activities into the formal economy.

Egypt advances plans to upgrade historic Cairo with Azbakeya, Ataba projects

Minister of Local Development Manal Awad noted that the 50 million Egyptian pound project is now 80% complete, with all infrastructure works—including sewage, water, electricity, and gas networks—fully finished. The first phase included the development of three main streets, improving the facades of 105 shops with a unified visual identity, and renovating several buildings with distinctive architectural styles, all while maintaining four-metre-wide corridors to ensure access for emergency vehicles.

Awad described the project as a “qualitative leap” in the development of historic markets, combining the preservation of architectural identity with the application of modern technical standards to improve the working environment for merchants and create a safe, civilized space for shoppers and visitors.

 

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