Fustat
Development Project… Reviving Africa’s first Islamic Capital
Egypt’s Leadership and government spare no effort to restore
heritage sites across the country to regain their historical value and position.
The Fustat
Development Project is one of the national projects that would change the face of Egypt because of its proximity to several
significant landmarks like the Religions complex, Amr ibn Al-As Mosque, and the
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
Over the past few years, Cairo had
the largest share of the state’s development projects aiming to revitalize and
promote Cairo as a tourist attraction. One of these major projects is the
restoration of Historic Cairo and removing all informal settlements
from this area to preserve its unique architectural style and regain its
cultural and historical role.
The Fustat Development Project aims to revive the Egyptian
heritage and preserve the Islamic architecture in the area to make the old city
of Fustat an open museum that attracts tourists from all around the world.
The Fustat project began in 2019 after Egypt’s political
leadership stressed the necessity of comprehensive development of Historic
Cairo to turn it into a tourist destination to restore the area’s former glory.
It also aims to reconnect the old and modern historical, cultural and cultural
features of the Fustat city.
The
project includes developing areas surrounding Amr ibn Al-Aas Mosque, the
Civilization Museum, Abu Al-Saud El-Garhi Mosque, and the Religions Complex and
connecting them with the Fustat market, which houses traditional handicrafts
shops and workshops.
The
development plan also includes upgrading the main entrance to Amr ibn Al-As Mosque,
establishing new wooden terraces, a pedestrian sidewalk and parking areas, and
a fountain as well as the development of the existing Fustat Market.
The
courtyard area of the Amr ibn Al-Aas Mosque is planned to be the main entrance
to the new park and other religious sites in the area, including the Coptic
churches and the ancient Jewish synagogue.
The Religions Complex area in Fustat
The
Religions Complex, located near the remains of the Babylon Fortress, houses Amr
ibn Al-As Mosque; the first mosque built in Egypt and whole Africa, Ben Ezra
Synagogue; the Oldest Synagogue in Egypt, and the Hanging Church; the first
Christian monument in Egypt.
Fustat Development Plan
Fustat Hills Park
The
Fustat Hills Park is the largest of its kind in the Middle East. It was built
on 500 acres in a central location in the heart of Historic Cairo to embrace
the Civilization Museum, Ain El-Serra Lake, the Religions Complex, and Amr ibn
Al-Aas Mosque to create more green space.
The park
will also become a regional and international tourist destination offering
several cultural, commercial, and traditional crafts activities as well as
excavation and antiquities areas. There will also be a hill in the middle of
the park with a spectacular view of the pyramids, Giza Plateau, Salah El-Din
Citadel, and Cairo’s minarets.
The Fustat
Hills Park project also includes establishing a heritage parks section, cultural
section, historical section, adventure section, Egyptian flower garden section,
and recreation centre.
Magra El-Oyoun Fence
The
Magra El-Oyoun Fence is 3500 meters, and it is known for its unique Islamic
architecture style. It extends from Fom El-Khalig area to El-Sayeda Aisha
Square.
In
2019, the Cairo governorate began the Magra El-Oyoun Fence’s development
project by removing encroachments and unsafe informal settlements surrounding
the fence. The demolition work included Ezbet El-Madabegh, Abu Al-Saud, Istabl
Anter, Batan Al-Baqarra, and Ezbet Abu Qarn informal areas.
The
residents of those areas relocated to alternative houses built by the state,
which are more decent and safer.
Moreover,
the Cairo governorate cooperated with the Ministries of Tourism, Housing, and
Antiquities to renovate the fence and restore its historical position.
The
Magra El-Oyoun Fence’s development plan will include establishing cultural and
heritage events halls, bazaars, restaurants, parking areas, a residential area
built in the Islamic architecture style to integrate with the area’s unique
architecture. It will also include a shopping mall on an area of 16 acres.
Ain El-Sira Lake “Ain Al-Hayah”
Ain
Al-Hayah Lake is one of the significant landmarks in the Fustat area. It is a
sulfur lake, and it was famous for its ability to treat skin diseases in the
past. It was a popular destination for tourists and locals before it became
neglected and turned into an informal settlement.
The
development project of Ain El-Sira Lake includes a restaurant serving hot
beverages and light meals, a walkway, fountains, aquarium, landscaping, water
treatment station, four power stations, fast food restaurants, open theatre,
and parking areas.
Ain El-Sira Lake project aims to turn
the area into a tourist destination reflecting ancient Egyptian history and
restore the area’s glory.
It is also to connect the Fustat area with surrounding
historical areas through sustainable and clean transport systems like electric
buses linking the Fatimid Cairo and the Fustat area, and the Teleferik between
the Fustat park and the Azhar Park, as well as pedestrian and bike pathways, to
reduce the use of private cars.
The project will also link Giza to the new
Administrative Capital through a subway line that runs from the Giza Pyramids
area and passes through Misr Al-Qadima district (Historic Cairo) to New Cairo.
Moreover, a new road axis was established that connects
the Fustat Road with the Autostrad Road in addition to developing Ain Al-Haya
Road to link it with Al-Khayala Road and the Ring Road. It also includes
building six bridges in the Fustat area to connect the Ring Road with Salah
Salem Road, the Autostrad Road, and the 10th of Ramadan Road.
Ain Al-Hayah Road Axis
The Ain Al-Hayah Road Axis Project aims to ease
traffic congestion and reduce the time of travelling across Cairo as part of
the Historic Cairo Development Project.
The project consists of two bridges: The Ain El-Sira
Bridge, and it connects Salah Salem Road with the Ring Road. While the second
bridge will start from the Corniche Road and passes through El-Imam El-Lithy
and El-Imam El-Shafei area, then El-Kordy Street and El-Tunisi Bridge to the
Autostrad Road and then East Cairo to ease traffic from and to Cairo’s new
cities.
