Journals Information
Civil Engineering and Architecture Vol. 11(5A), pp. 3063 - 3085
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2023.110820
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The Production of Downtown Cairo Passageways: Exploring the Socio-Spatial Narratives
Shaimaa Ashour , Eman Shamekh *
Department of Architectural Engineering and Environmental Design, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Egypt
ABSTRACT
The spatial environment of our cities is the result of a continuous negotiation among the built environment, bodily experience, and urban policy processes. Thus, many urban spaces are challenging these constraints and become in continuous transformation such as city streets, squares, and passageways. This research explores critically Downtown Cairo passageways through the lens of production of space theory. Aiming to understand the multiple aspects that may help to read the un-noticed everyday spaces inside the city center, Henry Lefebvre's theory was interpreted into a theoretical framework to be contributed to empirical work in order to present an alternative dialogue including socio-spatial aspects for passageways. While several researchers studied Downtown Cairo different urban spaces, the passageways have only been briefly addressed through physical investigation. Accordingly, two pedestrian passageway zones in Downtown Cairo were selected as study areas. Methodologically, the qualitative approach was adopted and the data collection was based on observations with behavioral mappings, photographs, and field notes. The findings were steered to conceptualize the production of Downtown Cairo passageways through the practices of everyday life by understanding the connections between the three aspects of space production; physical space, everyday life, and the role of the authority. The research revealed three conceptions that were incorporated into Downtown passageways narratives. First, the spatial qualities and official planning approaches were addressed. Secondly, the life on the passageways was analyzed in order to understand the everyday practices and their connection to the physical space in each study area. The third part addressed the flexibility of the passageways environment through individual and collective appropriation practices. In conclusion, the study highlights that there is a constant tension between the everyday space and the power of authority in Downtown passageways which affirms the state of 'in-between' of such urban spaces inside our city centers.
KEYWORDS
Downtown Cairo, Production of Space, Passageways, Everyday Life, Authority
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Shaimaa Ashour , Eman Shamekh , "The Production of Downtown Cairo Passageways: Exploring the Socio-Spatial Narratives," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 11, No. 5A, pp. 3063 - 3085, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2023.110820.
(b). APA Format:
Shaimaa Ashour , Eman Shamekh (2023). The Production of Downtown Cairo Passageways: Exploring the Socio-Spatial Narratives. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 11(5A), 3063 - 3085. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2023.110820.