Trajectories and Challenges of Cultural Heritage Conservation in Historic Cairo Since the Mid-20th Century: Towards an Appropriate Conservation Approach for the Historic City

Historic Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, faces persistent deterioration despite numerous conservation efforts. A study reveals that while 17 major projects were undertaken from the early 1970s onward, most adopted inappropriate 'top-down' approaches, neglecting the city's living nature and local community needs. These projects often involved restoration without adaptive reuse or focused solely on tourism, lacking post-conservation monitoring. The research identifies a critical gap: conservation efforts during the 1950s and 1960s were minimal, and subsequent interventions failed to engage local stakeholders effectively. The study concludes that a community-oriented approach is essential for effective preservation, balancing heritage protection with the active participation of residents.

Mohamed N., E.-B., Mariko, I., & Yasufumi, U. (2021). Trajectories and Challenges of Cultural Heritage Conservation in Historic Cairo Since the Mid-20th Century: Towards an Appropriate Conservation Approach for the Historic City. Geographical Review of Japan Series B, 94(2), 65–80. https://doi.org/10.4157/geogrevjapanb.94.65