Backtracking to sustainable urban development and working with local communities: the al-Darb al-Ahmar project in islamic Cairo

A groundbreaking approach to sustainable urban development in Islamic Cairo emerged from the al-Darb al-Ahmar project, demonstrating how integrating behavioral and cultural insights into urban design can foster community engagement and preserve heritage. The study, led by Dina Shehayeb, combined her expertise in Environmental Behavior Studies with local collaboration to create a methodology that bridges traditional urban planning with the lived experiences of residents. By prioritizing the meaning and behavior associated with the built environment, the project achieved tangible improvements in sustainability while strengthening community ownership. This innovative model offers a replicable framework for balancing development needs with cultural heritage conservation, particularly in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Historic Cairo.

Shehayeb, D. (2011). Backtracking to sustainable urban development and working with local communities: the al-Darb al-Ahmar project in islamic Cairo. Égypte/Monde Arabe, 8, 109–129. https://doi.org/10.4000/ema.3006