The historic part of Cairo, called Khedivial Cairo*, is entering a new phase of urban revitalization, marked by the gradual elimination of informal constructions and visual disorder accumulated over time. Since its launch in 2014, the strategic rehabilitation project for downtown aims to restore the architectural and heritage charm of its iconic buildings, requalify public space, and revive the rich urban heritage of Cairo's historic neighborhoods. However, this desire for enhancement is already facing concerns raised by the increasing grip of private investors on the heritage heart of the capital.
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Cairo wants to reconnect with its former splendor
Mohamed Ahmed - 22-med September 16, 2025
Cairo, Wust al-Balad, Tahrir Square, Talaat Harb Square, Al-Muizz Street, Bab Zuweila, Bab al-Nasr, Bab al-Futuh, Haret al-Roum, Darb al-Labana, mosques Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah and Al-Hussein, Mohamed Alabbar, Sohier Zaki Hawas, Khedive Ismail, Baron Haussmann
#heritage #urbanism #architecture #investment #downtown #Egypt #Cairo
“The heart of Cairo oscillates between heritage revival and real estate assault.”
“Between historical restoration and commercial ambitions, Khedivial Cairo is playing its urban future.”
The historic Cairo holds a vast architectural heritage composed of remarkable buildings, witnesses of a time of great urban effervescence. These buildings, true jewels of Cairo's architecture, benefit from an active conservation policy. This policy focuses on preserving the urban fabric, periodic renovation, and protection against any form of degradation or harm to their integrity. The Khedivial Cairo and historic Cairo sectors alone encompass several hundred classified buildings or those of high heritage value, characterized by eclectic architecture inspired by major European capitals.
Recently, the development of the "Cairo Downtown" has reignited the debate on investment and heritage following the latest announcement by Emirati businessman Mohamed Alabbar regarding new expansion projects in the Egyptian market. Alabbar emphasized that the heart of the capital, with its historical value, “represents an exceptional opportunity for launching urban, commercial, and service projects capable of restoring the area’s full splendor and enhancing its radiance.”
However, the Emirati businessman’s statements have raised serious concerns about his presumed intention to take control of the historic downtown area, particularly following the sovereign fund's acquisition of properties belonging to insurance companies, now offered for investment. Authorities are also criticized for evacuating Khedivial buildings of their inhabitants, even though they are among the oldest and most emblematic structures. Alabbar has also increased his investments in Egypt, reaching approximately $25 billion (€21.4 billion), which has revived concerns among many owners and citizens about a possible takeover of this heritage area by the private sector. They fear a commercial exploitation of these spaces, accompanied by an excessive rise in the cost of public services. In this context, many experts are calling on the state to establish a clear and structured financial support mechanism for the owners of these historic properties, allowing them to cover the costs related to regular and preventive maintenance to maintain and improve the structural and functional state of the buildings. Other experts also emphasize the need to develop sustainable solutions to address the persistent issues of traffic and parking in this strategic area.
The Paris of the East, inspired by Baron Haussmann:
Dr. Sohier Zaki Hawas, professor of architecture and urban design in the architecture department at Cairo University, cannot help but draw parallels between this development project and the Haussmannian revolution that changed the face of the French capital. This transformation, which involved widening streets and beautifying buildings, was a source of inspiration for Khedive Ismail. “In fact, Khedive Ismail wanted to transform the center of Cairo into a modern and prestigious district, with wide avenues and large buildings, similar to what Baron Haussmann achieved in Paris,” she specifies.
She recalls that Khedive Ismail nicknamed Cairo “the Paris of the East,” aiming to make it a city with a European character, drawing inspiration for its urbanism and architecture from the French capital. “This period was marked by the development of the Khedivial downtown, known as ‘Khedivial Cairo,’ as well as the establishment of modern networks for drinking water, sanitation, lighting, and street paving, not to mention the creation of public gardens. All of this gave the center of Cairo a unique urban identity, heavily influenced by European style,” she indicates.
These areas are now the subject of large-scale interventions that include both the restoration of facades, structural rehabilitation, and requalification of the immediate surroundings. This is in a logic of architectural coherence and enhancement of heritage. The Wust al-Balad (downtown) area is currently undergoing the second phase of the program, which extends from Tahrir Square to Talaat Harb Square. This perimeter, the beating heart of Cairo's modern urban history, constitutes a strategic axis of metropolitan transformation.
500 historic buildings
The intervention includes the complete restoration of more than 500 historic buildings, designed according to the architectural canons of the 19th century. The operations aim to restore the original compositions: removal of commercial protrusions, standardization of storefronts, and harmonization of materials and colors in respect of ancient architectural typologies. The goal is to restore these buildings to their former splendor while integrating contemporary requirements for functionality and sustainability.
Dr. Sohier Zaki Hawas reaffirms that the requalification project for Khedivial Cairo constitutes a priority for urban development on a national scale. It aims to create a new model of historic downtown, enhancing the visual quality of the built environment and reaffirming the architectural identity of the sector through the regeneration of heritage facades, the removal of visual distortions, and the aesthetic regulation of commercial signage, in accordance with a coherent urban charter.
Areas of exceptional heritage value
At the same time, the works extend to historic Cairo, the millennial heart of the city, with the aim of rehabilitating urban authenticity, preserving major heritage sites, and transforming them into open-air museum pathways accessible to all. This program encompasses areas of exceptional heritage value such as Bab Zuweila, Haret al-Roum, the surroundings of the mosque Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, Darb al-Labana, and the mosque Al-Hussein.
The works also include the restoration of many emblematic buildings, particularly on Al-Muizz Street and around the historic gates of Bab al-Nasr and Bab al-Futuh, as well as the conversion of urban wastelands into attractive tourist spaces. These initiatives are accompanied by a complete modernization of network infrastructures, ensuring the sustainability and functionality of the rehabilitated areas.
Regarding the challenges facing this modernization project, Dr. Sohier Zaki Hawas also emphasized the need to mobilize all public institutions to remove administrative and technical obstacles to ensure the rapid progress of the works, considered a project of national interest. “Internal road rehabilitation operations are also underway, in a logic of sustainable maintenance and urban continuity,” she specified.
The strategic vision of the project is based on an integrated approach aimed at safeguarding the social and economic dynamics of the urban fabric while making historic Cairo a major heritage and tourist destination. A committee of experts specialized in historical heritage and architectural restoration accompanies the various stages of the project. It ensures the optimal enhancement of vacant spaces and an intervention respectful of the identity of the places.
* Khedivial Cairo: named in honor of Khedive Ismail, embodies the modernization project that brought the capital into the European urban era of the 19th century.
Featured photo: Ongoing renovation works on several buildings on Al Charifaïne Street in the heart of the Khedivial district © Egyptian Cabinet