12- Graduation Project_Re-designing Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center by salsabil fahmy

The American University in Cairo School of Sciences and Engineering Department of Architecture and Construction Engineering

Senior Graduation Project 1

The Power of Architecture to Change: Ownership as an empowerment of the youth

AENG 490: Senior Project 1 Advisor: Dr. Magda Mostafa By: Salsabil Fahmy ID: 900-06-0752 Date: 31st of May, 2011

Presented to: Dr. Magda Mostafa-Dr. Zeinab Shafik-Dr. Chris-Dr. Nagwa Sherif-Dr. Ahmed Sherif

THE POWER OF ARCHITECTURE TO CHANGE:‘QALA’T EL-KABSH’

Table of Contents List of Figures........................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Abstract .................................................................................................................................................................................4 Problem Definition ............................................................................................................................................................... 5 Informal Settlement: Qala’t El-Kabsh ............................................................................................................................ 5 Stigmatized youth in ‘El-Kabsh’ ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Drug-Dealing in the Neighborhood ............................................................................................................................. 10 Sayyida Zaynab vs. Zeinhom Youth Center ............................................................................................................ 10 Use of public spaces ................................................................................................................................................... 11 Reasons behind drug-taking ...................................................................................................................................... 11 Methodology ....................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Proposed Project: Statement of Purpose ...........................................................................................................................13 Objectives ............................................................................................................................................................................ 16 General Objectives ......................................................................................................................................................... 16 Youth Center Objectives ............................................................................................................................................... 17 Literature Review ............................................................................................................................................................... 19 Site Analysis ........................................................................................................................................................................ 27 Site Selection .................................................................................................................................................................. 27 Rationale ......................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Historical Analysis ......................................................................................................................................................... 30 Contextual Analysis- Qala’t El Kabsh/Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center ...................................................................... 32 Unused spaces: Entrance to Qala’t El-Kabsh .............................................................................................................. 36 Demographic Analysis ................................................................................................................................................... 37 Precedent Projects .............................................................................................................................................................. 38 Zeinhom Youth Center, Zeinhom Housing, Cairo, Egypt .......................................................................................... 38 Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center, Sayyida Zaynab Qaurter, Cairo, Egypt .................................................................... 41 Comparison between Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center and Zeinhom Youth Center ................................................ 44 Boys and Girls Clubs ......................................................................................................................................................47 Discussion of Results......................................................................................................................................................... 48 Needs and Activities ..................................................................................................................................................... 48 List of needs ................................................................................................................................................................... 48 List of activities .............................................................................................................................................................. 52 Space and Functional Program ......................................................................................................................................... 53 Appendix ............................................................................................................................................................................. 55 List of References................................................................................................................................................................ 55

THE POWER OF ARCHITECTURE TO CHANGE:‘QALA’T EL-KABSH’

List of Figures Figure 1: Fence surrounding the center ............................................................................................................................. 6 Figure 2: Entrance to El-Kabsh- Neglected space directly overlooking ......................................................................... 6 Figure 3: itineraries in Qala’t El-Kabsh .............................................................................................................................. 7 Figure 4: Ping Pong zone in Abul-dahab Street: Users don’t use the Center although it is very close to them ......... 7 Figure 5: Building containing the meeting hall and the library in Sayyida Zaynab Youth Ceter ................................ 8 Figure 6: Locked Children’s garden inside the Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center ............................................................. 8 Figure 7: Cultural Park for Children. Source: Cultural Park for Children by Selma Al-Radi ....................................... 9 Figure 8: Workshops belonging to the Center-Located along its fence. ....................................................................... 9 Figure 9: View to Salar and Sanjar madrassa and mosque from the street overlooking the center ........................... 9 Figure 10: Ibn Tulun Mosque- Part of El-Kabsh ............................................................................................................... 9 Figure 11: Learning from Architecture without Architects ..............................................................................................13 Figure 12: Pathway parallel to Ibn-Tulun Mosque- Leading to Qala’t El-Kabsh- Occupied with workshops........... 14 Figure 13: Ramp leading to Qala’t El-Kabsh - Starting point of the journey ................................................................ 14 Figure 14: Qala’t El-Kabsh – Spatial Story through a ‘maze’ .......................................................................................... 15 Figure 15: Example of Naked City Paris: The City as a Dynamic Experience of Spatial Journeys ............................... 16 Figure 16: Google Earth image showing the Tahrir Square, Sultan Hassan Square, and Sayyida Zaynab Square. (Historical Centres of Cairo) ............................................................................................................................................. 27 Figure 17: Abdel-Meguid El-Laban Street: Main street overlooking Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center: vibrant life of community .......................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Figure 18: Narrow pathways occupied with shops fulfilling the daily needs of community ......................................28 Figure 19: Entrance to ‘El-Kabsh’ used for garbage collection. Government is responsible for collecting it from the main street. .........................................................................................................................................................................28 Figure 20: Public Node in-between the houses of 'El-Kabsh'.........................................................................................29 Figure 21: Ibn-Tulun Mosque.View from Zeyada Street ................................................................................................. 30 Figure 22: Contextual Analysis map on google Earth image of Qala't El-Kabsh.......................................................... 32 Figure 23: public space in front of Ibn-Tulun Mosque ................................................................................................... 33 Figure 24: One of the main public nodes beside the mosque of Qaytbay .................................................................... 33 Figure 25: Drug-Taking zone at the corner of the Qaytbay mosque ............................................................................. 34 Figure 26: Carpentary Workshop inside 'El-Kabsh' ........................................................................................................ 34 Figure 27: Cafeterias inside the neighborhood ................................................................................................................ 35 Figure 28: Ibn-Tulun's wall used for parking and cafeterias .......................................................................................... 35 Figure 29: Grocery inside 'El-Kabsh' ................................................................................................................................. 35 Figure 30: Play station room inside a carpentary workshop .......................................................................................... 36 Figure 31: Google Earth image for unused space in front of the Center ....................................................................... 36 Figure 32: Pictures of one of the main entrances to 'El-Kabsh' and also used for garbage collection ....................... 37 Figure 33: Analysis of Zeinhom Youth Center, Zeinhom, Cairo: Space components .................................................. 38 Figure 34: Cafeteria inside Zeihom Youth Center ...........................................................................................................39 Figure 35: handball yard inside Zeihom Youth Center ...................................................................................................39 Figure 36: library inside Zeinhom Youth Center ............................................................................................................ 40 Figure 37: football yard inside Zeinhom Youth Center ................................................................................................. 40 Figure 38: Contextual Analysis of Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center .................................................................................. 41 Figure 39: Comparison between Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center and Zeinhom Youth Center ....................................45 Figure 40: Diagram showing the the concentration of gathering spaces and the ratio between the used and unused spacess ................................................................................................................................................................... 46 Figure 41: Cyultural park for children: main entrance ................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 42: Abul-Dahab Pedestrian Street..................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

THE POWER OF ARCHITECTURE TO CHANGE:‘QALA’T EL-KABSH’

Abstract The lack of social justice in Cairo has had its impacts on the urban structure of the Cairo, where a “Fragmented Cairo” was created. The historic centres of Cairo thus became a home for the informal settlements. The phenomenon of the informal settlements has always been perceived as a burden; however, these settlements embody in themselves a great power that reveals its hidden capacity. Therefore, re-connecting the hearts of Cairo and creating a dialogue between them is essential in order to maintain urban justice. One of the main problems with these settlements is the stigmatization of its youth. The power of architecture in a low income settlement lies in its magnitude to respond to the changing patterns of people’s everyday life, and its magnitude to re-use the existing urban setting in new spatial itineraries where dwelling, working, and learning become an enjoyable spatial experience. Qala’t El-Kabsh settlement; located in one of the earliest capitals of Egypt, was the selected site in which the research information was based on. The re-design of the Sayyyida Zaynab youth center acts as a prototype that should be implemented in all other historical centre of Cairo. This center is to be transformed into a “youth park”, owned by the youth in the neighborhood, promoting cultural awareness, free-drug education, technology-based learning, reclaiming public space, and completing the successful mission of the Cultural Park. This community-based project should act as an architectural nucleus serving the neighborhood as well as re-facilitating the connection between the historical hearts of Cairo.

THE POWER OF ARCHITECTURE TO CHANGE:‘QALA’T EL-KABSH’

Problem Definition Informal Settlement: Qala’t El-Kabsh Going back to the earliest Capitals of Egypt (10th C.), Al-Qatai’, it was once the greatest hearts of Cairo, which turned now unfortunately to a dead city. Today, it occupies the Sayyida Zaynab quarter which is one of the oldest, most densely populated, and poorly maintained quarters in Cairo, but also one of the most vibrant and lively (AbdelHalim, 142). It is very rich with history; the mosques of Ibn Tulun and Sayyida Zaynab are among the many great buildings in the area from various periods that embody in their form some of the power, vitality, and meaning of the community’s life there. ‘Qala’t El-Kabsh’ is an informal settlement; part of the Sayyida Zaynab quarter. Qala’t El-Kabsh is one of the many informal settlements in Egypt that is perceived as a ‘burden’. Although it is characterized by a unique urban and social structure as well as its rich historical location, the right of citizenship is lacked by many means. Stigmatized youth in ‘El-Kabsh’ A large number of youth in the ‘El-Kabsh’ suffer from various problems like unemployment, illiteracy, lack of high-education and bad living conditions. According to interviews with residents as well as non-participatory observations, many youths may not be sufficiently mature to cope with such problems; they go in the undesirable direction of delinquency, drugs, vandalism, stealing, etc. These youths threaten the lives of people living in the neighborhood of ‘El-Kabsh’ as well as the whole area of Sayyida Zaynab. Moreover, there is no space that empowers those youths and re-uses their creative capacity in a useful way, and this guides them more towards negative attitudes. Although drug-taking is a problem facing many of the informal settlements in Egypt, Qala’t El-Kabsh is considered one of the main settlements attracting illegal activities. Some of the itineraries in between the houses of Qala’t El-Kabsh, and Sayyida Zaynab as a whole, act as a potential for drug-taking as well as drug-dealing. The problem of drug-dealing is a generative phenomenon that will continue to grow if the lack of awareness continued to take place.

THE POWER OF ARCHITECTURE TO CHANGE:‘QALA’T EL-KABSH’

Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center Being located at the heart of the community of Sayyida Zaynab and directly attached to the Cultural Park for Children, the Youth Center should act as a potential for resolving the problems of the youth in the neighborhood and completing the successful mission of the directly attached park. Instead of being an architectural nucleus affecting the neighborhood and the whole city on an urban scale, the youth center is characterized with many problems, such as: It

doesn’t

have

efficient

role

the

empowerment of the youths of the surrounding community -For Example, women in the neighborhood are not empowered as supposed to be. According to Mr. Gamal Eissa, Manager of the Sports facilities in the area, “There is a gym for women, in order

Figure 1: Fence surrounding the center

to empower the women of Sayyida Zaynab area.” It doesn’t integrate with the surrounding community, especially after the Ministry of Culture’s disallowance for the maintenance of a true community control in the Cultural Park for Children -The fence surrounding the Center acts as a burden between the community and the Center (See figure 1). -The neglected spaces directly surrounding the Center are not re-used as a potential for integrating with the activities taking place inside it (See figure 2). -The youth are not given any opportunities for participation.

Figure 2: Entrance to El-Kabsh- Neglected space directly overlooking

THE POWER OF ARCHITECTURE TO CHANGE:‘QALA’T EL-KABSH’

-Not adapting to the changing patterns of the surrounding community’s lives; their social, cultural, economical, and political activities. For example, all spaces inside the Center are locked, unlike the houses of El-Kabsh where all spaces are interconnected and used for several purposes (See figure 3) It is not attracting the local residents -Zeinhom youth center 1attracts more people. According to Mohamed Hassan, Supervisor in the Center, “Youth of Qala’t El-

Figure 3: itineraries in Qala’t El-Kabsh

Kabsh use the Zeinhom Youth Center more frequently, although the quality of services here is much better.” -Marginalizing the residents of ‘El-Kabsh’. According to Mohamed Hassan, “According to the rules and regulations of Youth Centers, local members cannot be marginalized from using the Youth Centers located in their area. So, during any events hosted inside the centers, they can enter but not allowed to use anything or participate, they only sit.”

Figure 4: Ping Pong zone in Abul-dahab Street: Users don’t use the Center although it is very close to them

- Institution is responsible for not attracting community. According to Dr. Yasser Yassin, Vice Manager of the Area, “People in control of the Center should be qualified enough to manage it and attract the local residents instead of marginalizing them from the community.” Moreover, According to Mohamed Hassan, Supervisor, “Bicycles are not allowed and playing ping pong in empty spaces is also not allowed!” (See figure 4). -Even the children in Qala’t El-Kabsh that sometimes play football inside the center, don’t like it. According to Abdel-Rahman, 6 years old, from Qala’t El-Kabsh, “I wish to burn this Center. It is not doing anything. It is very cold- ‘‫’بارد‬.”

Zeinhom Youth Center: youth center located in Zeinhom neighborhood which is very close to Qala’t El-Kabsh. This center was proved to be more inviting for the residents of Sayyida Zaynab. The area of this center is almost double the area of Sayyida Zaynab’s.

THE POWER OF ARCHITECTURE TO CHANGE:‘QALA’T EL-KABSH’

It doesn’t achieve its intended functions nor understands the needs of the local community Physically: -Architecture of the Youth Center doesn’t match with its intended functions. According to Dr. Yasser Yassin, “Is there a Youth Center that looks like governmental public housing?!” (See figure 5).

Figure 5: Building containing the meeting hall and the library in Sayyida Zaynab Youth Ceter

-The government’s approach to rehabilitating and cultivating the minds of the Egyptians always “take place within the physical boundaries of colonial buildings” (Khaled Adham, Cairo Contested, 44). -Cultural and social places inside are locked and badly designed (like the library, theatre, re-creational areas, children’s garden, etc) -Most of the spaces inside the Center are surrounded with locked fences. According to Mohamed Hassan, “When somebody comes we will open the needed spaces” (See figure 6).

Practically:

Figure 6: Locked Children’s garden inside the Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center

-According to Mr. Gamal Eissa, Manager of the Sports facilities in the area, “The definition of the Youth Center is a civil organization serving its surrounding community.” However, an interview with the manager of the Center, Abdel-Hamid El-Khouly, shows that he excludes the residents of El-Kabsh fearing from the usage of drugs and hustling, and at the same time, he doesn’t work on reusing the creative capacity inside these residents.

THE POWER OF ARCHITECTURE TO CHANGE:‘QALA’T EL-KABSH’

-The center is perceived more as a private building belonging to the manager and not a public one serving the surrounding community. According to Mr. Gamal Eissa, “The Center starts working at 5. It is only opened in the morning for the administrative work.” The center is not functioning with the surrounding services; as potential for exchanging benefits -The center doesn’t add to the value of the Cultural Park for Children; or completes its mission through targeting the Youth.

Figure 7: Cultural Park for Children. Source: Cultural Park for Children by Selma Al-Radi

There is a fence acting as a boundary between the center and the park. Moreover, there aren’t any common activities taking place between both projects (See figure 7). -The

center

doesn’t

integrate

with

the

surrounding

workshops. Although there are some workshops attached to the fence of the center, they are opened only to the main

Figure 8: Workshops belonging to the CenterLocated along its fence.

street; and only two of them are working (See figure 8). The center doesn’t add to the rich historical value of the Sayyida Zaynab Area -Although the center is located at the heart of the community, overlooking several monuments in the surrounding, its architecture and functions don’t provide any cultural awareness for its users (See figure 9 & 10).

Figure 10: Ibn Tulun Mosque- Part of El-Kabsh Figure 9: View to Salar and Sanjar madrassa and mosque from the street overlooking the center

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Drug-Dealing in the Neighborhood Sayyida Zaynab vs. Zeinhom Youth Center The mentality of the community of Sayyida Zaynab is hard to deal with. They can hardly accept the regulations and rules set by the youth centers in the area. Therefore, Zeinhom Youth Center, located on the southern side of ‘El-Kabsh’, couldn’t apply its rules and regulations with its users, thus, anyone can enter the center without being a member. This attracts the stigmatized youth in the area (drug-users). The youth in the neighborhood find it easier to use Zeinhom youth center than the Sayyida Zaynab’s since there are no rules that can limit their personal demands. But although most of them prefer using Zeinhom youth center for practicing ‘drug-taking’ freely, they are in need of more security and more sense of belonging inside Zeinhom Center: According to a 20 years old guy, Mohamed Mostafa, who often take drugs with his friends inside Zeinhom Youth Center, “I am not a member because I don’t benefit by any means from the center. The huge empty spaces are almost wasted and the activities offered are very limited. Even the seminars hosted inside the center are very boring, they don’t attract us. The only seminar that I attended was by a young guy talking about the revolution. I come here every day to socialize instead of going to the cafeteria outside.” And although Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center is supposed to be allowing the members only to access, many of the non-members; including drug-users, use the center. This is because the manager is afraid from them. The institution puts the rules and regulations without understanding the mentality of the society. According to a 24 years old guy, Ahmed Nasser, who has been a member in the center since 1997, and who is also the native informant that helped in this research, “Before the revolution many drug-taking used to take place inside the center. All unused spaces acted as potentials for drugtaking. But after the revolution, me and other 18 members had a quarrel with the manager and asked for our rights as participants of the center. We asked for more activities, extension for the time of operation, justice between the users, and more supervisors. From then, the number of

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drug-users in the center began to decline, and we organized the Easter event by ourselves. And we are looking forward to get rid of this manager.” Use of public spaces Since the majority of the youth take drugs and suffer from unemployment, they create a threat to the life of the surrounding community. Some of the itineraries in between the houses of Qala’t El-Kabsh, and Sayyida Zaynab as a whole, act as a potential for drug-taking as well as drug-dealing. Reasons behind drug-taking (We need to understand the reasons behind the high rate of drug-dealing inside Qala’t El-Kabsh and try to reach solutions for reducing the number of youth undertaking illegal activities through the Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center) Most of the reasons are interconnected but the most two important reasons related to youth of Qala’t El-Kabsh are the influence of the social environment and the sense of Ownership (Natural rebellion). There are many reasons for drug-taking like enjoyment, curiosity, and the defense mechanism. Social Environment

Many young people live in communities which suffer from multiple deprivations, with high unemployment, low quality housing, and lack of education. In such communities drug supply and use often thrive as an alternative economy often controlled by powerful criminal groups. As well as any use that might be associated with the stress and boredom of living in such communities, young people with poor job prospects recognize the financial advantages and the status achievable through the business of small scale supply of drugs. Natural rebellion Whether or not part of any particular subset of youth culture, young people like to be exclusive, own something that is personal to them and consciously or unconsciously drug use may act as a means of defiance to provoke adults into a reaction.

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Methodology The lack of social and urban justice in Egypt and its effect on the urban and social structures of the country is the main problem in this research. Creating a dialogue between the historical centres of Cairo is a method for creating urban justice, as these centres have deteriorated through the years. This aim was the main criteria in which the selection of site and proposed project were based on. Selection of the site for the proposed project acted as a prototype that should be implemented in all other historical centres of Cairo. The research was based on the selection of the site, which is one of the informal settlements in one of the historical centres of Cairo; Al-Qata’i. The architectural potential; which is the Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center, was analyzed as an important local precedent since it is to be re-designed to adapt to the changing patterns of community’s life. Several site visits were constructed in order to identify the daily patterns of the community of this settlement. Participatory and non-participatory observations were implemented during these site visits, for example, interviews were done with residents, supervisors and manager of the center, and a native informant2. Moreover, analysis of local precedents (Zeinhom Youth Center and Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center) was based on the extensive field study, in other words, it was based on the understanding the daily life patterns of the community and their needs. After the process visiting these precedents and analyzing them, a comparison was constructed between them to show its significance. As to the international precedent, it was analyzed according to the programs and activities offered. 2

Native informant: Is a person from a certain race or place who is seen as an expert on it simply by virtue of belonging to it. In the case of this research, the native informant was called Mohamed Nasser, 24 years old, who lives in Qala’t El-Kabsh. He was the guide during the journey of observing the neighborhood.

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Proposed Project: Statement of Purpose The Power of Architecture to Change: Ownership as an Empowerment of the Youth

“The power of architecture in a low-income (informal) settlement lies in its magnitude to respond to the changing patterns of people’s everyday life, and its magnitude to re-use the existing urban setting in new spatial itineraries where dwelling, working, and learning become an enjoyable spatial experience.” “One of the most important acts of power is related to the empowerment of the stigmatized youth; who are the key

Figure 11: Learning from Architecture without Architects

factor for a changing environment.” Power of Participants According to the dialogue of the Tahrir Square, the power of architecture cannot be defined as ‘static’ or even being related to ‘fixed objects’. The power of the square was perceived after the low-income population began to unite with the middle-class protestors, changing the whole setting of the place. Therefore, the power is related to the activities taking place inside a space. Moreover, the participants (especially the low-income population) created the environment that they wanted to live in, the environment that displayed their rights. Thus, the power of the space was related to ‘participants’ and not to the fixed setting.

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Qala’t El-Kabsh: Learning from architecture without Architects Inside the informal settlement, there is architecture without architects (See figure 11). Although it is poorly maintained, but its existing setting along with the changing patterns of the people’s everyday life, make the space more powerful. Moreover, the spatial experience in between the informal houses, add to the power of the setting, since it creates a sense of curiosity through a ‘maze’-spatial story. The social, cultural and economical activities

Figure 12: Pathway parallel to IbnTulun Mosque- Leading to Qala’t ElKabsh- Occupied with workshops

taking place within this journey, add to the power of the space, and prove that the actions of participants are key elements for revealing the real power of architecture (See figure 12). The Acts of Power Therefore, the acts of the ‘power of architecture’ can be formulated in various ways within the re-design of the Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center. First, is by incorporating the patterns of everyday life into the design and decision making. These patterns of people’s everyday life are embedded within the social, cultural,

Figure 13: Ramp leading to Qala’t ElKabsh - Starting point of the journey

political, and economical layers that shape their lives. Second, is adapting to the existing setting and re-using it. And here comes the balance between the imposed architecture and the existing setting. Third, is empowering the local members (participants) to have a constructive role in their own future. The participants/Youth in the neighborhood should be the owners of the proposed project since their power was the key for

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revealing the hidden power of the informal settlement. Fourth, is changing according to the creation of opportunities: events, ceremonies, etc. Finally, strengthening the identity of public spaces and networks created within a journey. Within these itineraries, working, learning, and dwelling becomes an enjoyable spatial experience.

Figure 14: Qala’t El-Kabsh – Spatial Story through a ‘maze’

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Objectives General Objectives 1. Maintain the dialogue of Al-Tahrir Square within the various hearts of Cairo that developed through the years; each with a unique urban character.

Figure 15: Example of Naked City Paris: The City as a Dynamic Experience of Spatial Journeys

2. Revitalize one of the rich historical centers in Cairo (Sayyida Zaynab Quarter) in order to connect the hearts of Cairo through a powerful architecture. Through: a) Re-thinking about the boundaries of the existing Monuments (Anchors) with surrounding context, acting as catalysts for social activities. There are many monuments at the lower slope of Qala’t El-Kabsh that should contribute in the formation of a dynamic spatial experience. b) Strengthening the spatial journey (Connector) within the neighborhood of Qala’t El-Kabsh where dwelling, working, and learning become enjoyable and connecting it with the surrounding context; as a spatial network. c) Re-designing the Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center (Collector/hub). 3.

Re-use the positive spatial characteristics inside one of the historically rich informal settlements to restore the creative capacity of its Youth.

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Youth Center Objectives 1. Empowering the youth in the informal settlement of El-Kabsh : Give authority to the youth as well as the whole community to participate in the design process, in which the community is the owner of the outcome of their work, as they were the owners of the development of the informal settlement in which they are living. 2. Architectural nucleus benefiting the Sayyida Zaynab Area on an urban scale; helping in re-connecting the hearts of Cairo through powerful architecture: a) Breaking the boundaries between the architecture of the building and the surrounding community (urban scale). This can be done by functioning with routes, monuments, and public spaces surrounding it. b) Integrating the re-designed youth center with the Cultural Park for Children physically and practically. This is through breaking the fence between them and exchanging the activities between the children and the youth. Therefore, completing the successful mission of the Cultural Park. c) Integrating the unused space where the entrance to Qala’t El-Kabsh is located to the re-designed youth center. This space is directly overlooking the center and is used daily by the residents of El-Kabsh: According to Dr. Yasser Yassin, “The garbage has always been accumulated on the sides of the entrance leading to Qala’t el kabsh, which is directly overlooking the Center.”

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3. Symbol of transformation in the function and architectural design of Youth Centers in Egypt: a) Incorporating the patterns of everyday life into the design and decision making. These patterns of people’s everyday life are embedded within the social, cultural, political, and economical layers that shape their lives. b) Fulfilling the needs of the surrounding community of ‘El-Kabsh’ and applying its intended mission as “civil organization serving the surrounding community.” c) Solving the problems facing the youth/community that may not be aware of their circumstances. For example, the problem of drug-taking in the neighborhood of ElKabsh which is a generative phenomenon threatening the life of the whole community.

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Literature Review Social injustice in Egypt had its impact on the urban and social structures of the country. In the articles “Nightmares of Growth” by Andre Raymond, “Practice of Everyday Life” by Micheal De Certeau, and “Whatever Happened to the Egyptians” by Galal Amin, this topic was discussed in depth to show how the social mobility has influenced the urban structure in Egypt. One of the most important factors affecting the urban structure is the spreading of the informal settlements especially inside the historical centres of Cairo. This topic has been discussed in several sources like “Relocation and the Creation of a Global City” by Farha Ghannam and the book “Cairo’s Informal Areas: Between Urban Challenges & Hidden Potentials.” The 25th of January Revolution in Egypt hosted a temporary act of urban justice when the participants displayed their rights and gave power to the place. This shows that the power of people (participants) can be the reason behind the creation of the power of architecture. In the books “Architecture of Empowerment” by Ismail Serageldin, “Scope of Social Architecture” by Ritchard Hatch, and “Community Participation Methods in Planning and Design” by Henry Sanoff, those books discussed how the power of architecture is related to the participants of the place. Youth participation is an essential method for developing them, where many of their problems can be solved by their ownership of their public spaces. This issue was discussed in the articles “Urban Parks and Addiction” by Behnaz Aminzadeh, “Stay-out of drug areas” by Marcia England, and the report “Rationale for recreation services for youth” by Caldwell. One of the great projects that acted as an example for the success of

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this philosophy is the Cultural Park for Children 3by Dr. Abdel-Halim Ibrahim. Many articles discussed the success of this park such as “El-Houd El-Marsoud” by Halim Abdel Halim, “A Ceremonial Approach to Community Building” by A.I Abdelhalim, “Abdel-Halim’s Cairo Garden an attempt to ‘Defrost’ history” by Khaled Asfour , and “Making or Shaking the state” by Khaled Adham. Lack of Social Justice Egypt’s social and urban structures have suffered badly through the years, especially after the 1952 revolution. After the 1952 revolution, there was a high rate of social mobility as a result of the emergence of the upper-middle class; accordingly, the gap between the social classes (upper, middle, and lower classes) began to increase (Amin, 20). The high rate of social mobility also had its impacts on the urban structure of Cairo; which led gradually to the “social division of space” creating a “Fragmented Cairo” (Raymond, Nightmares of Growth, 361). Since the high rate of social mobility led to the social and urban injustice, during the 25th of January revolution, protestors’ primary demands were “Living, Dignity, Freedom, and Social Justice”. Accordingly, the low-income population became more encouraged to go to the Tahrir Square and join the upper and middle class protestors. From then, these primary demands began to be practiced inside the square and the whole setting of the place began to change. According to De Certeau, “space” is defined as a “practiced place” (117), thus, the activities 3 Cultural Park for Children: The Cultural Park for Children is located in Sayyida Zeinab, a poor and derelict, although historically significant neighborhood in the centre of medieval Cairo. Built on the one hectare site of a former garden, existing trees and shrubs, including an avenue of palms, have been preserved within an engagingly complicated geometric scheme, based in part upon the geometries of the nearby Ibn Tulun Mosque and other important Mamluk and Ottoman monuments in the district. The insertion of the park into this congested urban fabric has gone far beyond the original brief. It has generated a renewed sense of community by extending its presence into the surrounding streets. The residents take pride in their neighborhood as well as their park

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shaping the whole setting transformed the Tahrir Square from a “place”; although it was always crowded, to a dynamic “space”. The Tahrir Square; as an urban city, hosted a temporary act of urban justice. This was obvious when the largest low-income population was engaged in creating the setting of the space through the various activities that helped them regain their dignity and identity. They created the environment that displayed their rights as participants of the space, that’s why it wasn’t easy for them to leave it. This dialogue of urban Justice inside the Tahrir Square seems not to be common in all other historical centers of Cairo. Historical Centres: Home for Informal Settlements In Historic City Centres, the architectural and urban heritage has deteriorated into dense and insanitary areas, becoming home to the poor. According to ‘Cairo’s Informal Areas: Between Urban Challenges & Hidden Potentials’, “most of these areas which are extremely beautiful are in very poor conditions” (11). The long process of the modernization of Cairo; after being the product of a rich and complex history that goes back more than five thousand years) has been taking place since the era of Muhammed ‘Ali (Ghanam, 26). This process ignored the inhabitants of Old Cairo, and the setting there became more deteriorated. The inhabitants of these historical centres belonged to the lower-class, who is still marginalized from the rights of citizenship. Therefore, the historical centres became a home for the informal settlements. Informal Settlements: Not a ‘burden’

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A large portion of Egypt’s urban population is faced with only three residential options: physically deteriorating ‘popular’ districts, mass housing in New Towns, and informal areas, each offers different set of living conditions (Cairo’s Informal Settlements, 35). The figures show that informal areas are the fastest growing alternative, while new towns are suffering reverse migration. In evidence for that, sixty percent of Greater Cairo’s population lives in socalled informal areas, where the majority of its inhabitants are young, productive people, and full of potential (Cairo’s Informal Settlements, 35). These settlements are always perceived as a ‘burden’, although people choose to live in poorly serviced informal areas, rather than inhabit the planned and modern ‘New Towns’. Informal areas develop to give rise to ‘popular’ urban districts that answer the needs of people under the local circumstances and constraints (Shohayeb, 19). In addition, the young and productive people creating the vibrant life inside these settlements are a potential that is underestimated, therefore, these settlements attracts more illegal activities. Power of Architecture Architecture should have a powerful role in order to revitalize the historical centres of Cairo and reconnect them to solve the problem of social injustice. The power of architecture lies in “empowering the poor and promoting sense of community by involving all the participants and getting their roles right” (Serageldin, 12). Therefore, especially inside the informal settlements, alienated citizens should be given the right to participate in creating their future and fulfilling their needs through architecture. According to the book ‘Scope of Social Architecture’, “significance of participation lies in its effects on the participants, not on

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architecture.”(4) The alienated citizens should taste the power of architecture in order to overcome the feeling of alienation. Youth development through Ownership/Participation In the book ‘Scope of Social Architecture’, Hatch describes an international movement based on the conviction that participation is crucial to the redirection of architecture and the city it creates. Social architecture is viewed as an instrument for transforming both the environment and the people who live in it (Sanoff, x). Participation has been distorted to mean that everything has to be checked with everyone before any decision is made, or, attendance at ongoing public hearings and constant meetings or donating money to a popular campaign. According to Henry Sanoff, participation means the collaboration of people pursuing objectives that they themselves have defined. If we apply this definition to the youth development method, we will find that youth participation is the best solution for their development. Youth development is “a process that prepares young people to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood through a coordinated, progressive series of activities and experiences that help them to become socially, morally, physically, and cognitively competent. Positive youth development addresses the broader developmental needs of youth, in contrast to deficit-based models that focus solely on youth problems” (Witt, 11). The Cultural Park for Children in the heart of the community of Sayyida Zaynab was one of the great projects revealing the importance of community participation and ownership in the design process. The question was how the architecture of the park could play a

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significant role in rehabilitating the surrounded community. For Dr. Abdel Halim, rehabilitating the surrounded community meant an upgrade in the environment surrounding the park (Adham, 42). Therefore, he constructed a full scale model out of canvas representing the geometry and configuration of the scheme, engaging hundreds of school children in a festive atmosphere, dancing and singing on the ground of the project (Asfour, 74). Community found themselves in front of a real life situation, rather than looking on charts and drawings. Building ceremonies were used as mechanisms that can channel activity into the regular building process (Abdelhalim, 139). By that, Dr. Abdel Halim merged into a living process of design philosophy. Another way of interacting with the community was crossing the boundaries between the park and the surrounding neighborhood. For example, AbulDahab Street was transformed into a pedestrian street, after observing the activities of users in the “ceremony” (Adham, 46). Therefore, the most important factor for the success of this project is the community participation method (Abdelhalim, 30). However, unfortunately, this park is not functioning successfully as it used to be due to the refusal of the Ministry of Culture to maintain a true community controlled space. Public Spaces and rights of citizenship One of the most important problems facing the youths is drug-taking. Drug-taking usually takes place in public spaces with less structured activities and at the same time transgression of public space can cause spaces of abjection4 (England, 5). In other words, if 4

Abjection: Often used to describe the state of often-marginalized groups, such as women, people of color, convicts, poor people, or disabled people this context, the concept of abject exists in between the concept of an object and the concept of the subject, something alive yet not. Often, the term space of abjection is also used, referring to a space that abjected things or beings inhabit.

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spatial boundaries are transgressed, abjection occurs. Therefore, the use of drugs in public space is a topic that touches a nerve in many others. Many psychologists and designers believe that people are as much products of their physical as of their social environment; there is a specific relationship between the physical and behavioral dimensions in behavioral settings (Aminzadeh & Afshar, 74). In the article “Urban Parks and Addiction”, the study focused on understanding the relationship between the design of urban parks and addiction in Tehran, and proposed design patterns focused on ‘flexibility’ and ‘adaptability’ to afford different, stable patterns of behavior, increase the possibility of social behaviors and thus decrease antisocial ones (73). Therefore, youth ownership over public spaces can be an effective solution for the problem of drug-taking, since one of the most important reasons for drug-taking is the need for owning the space and promoting sense of belonging to overcome alienation (England, 9). Those youths should have the right to occupy public spaces in a manner that doesn’t compromise their self-identity. In conclusion, this information complements each other in constructing the problem of the social injustice in Egypt that has affected its urban structure. The growth of the informal settlements is an issue that has been widely discussed, but, the advantages of these settlements were rarely discussed; as in the case of “Cairo’s Informal Settlements: Between Urban Challenges & Hidden Potentials.” In addition to that, power of architecture proved to be related to its participants; as the case in the design of the Cultural Park for Children. The power of youth in Egypt has been underestimated and their problems have not been solved in an adaptive manner to their lives and needs. The most important problem facing the alienated youth is drug-taking, which usually threaten the lives of others and disrupts the illusion of

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order. Therefore, the need for community-controlled project solving critical problems of the society in informal settlements should be put into consideration in order to connect architecture to the needs of the ‘marginalized’ community; growing in the historical centres of Cairo.

Figure 17: Cyultural park for children: main entrance

Figure 16: AbulDahab street

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Site Analysis Site Selection Sayyida Zaynab Quarter/ Qala’t El-Kabsh: Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center ‘Qala’t El-Kabsh’ is an informal settlement; part of the Sayyida Zaynab quarter, located on a higher level than Ibn Tulun Mosque; on a mountain called ‘Gabal Yashkur’. The Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center is directly overlooking the stepping entrance towards Qala’t El-Kabsh and attached from the other side to the Cultural Park for Children. Its southern elevation is overlooking Abdel-Meguid El-Laban Street.

Rationale 1. Going back to one of the earliest Capitals (AlQattai’-10thC.), thus, allowing the connection between the historical hearts of Cairo(See figure 16): -Al-Qata’I (10th C.) -Al-Tahrir (Khedive period)

-Al-Sultan Hassan Square (14th C.) 2. Sayyida Zaynab Quarter: One of the oldest, most

Figure 18: Google Earth image showing the Tahrir Square, Sultan Hassan Square, and Sayyida Zaynab Square. (Historical Centres of Cairo)

densely populated, and poorly maintained quarters in Cairo, but also one of the most vibrant and lively. It is very rich with history (See figure 17). 3. According to the book “Cairo’s Informal Areas”, Dr. Dina Shohayeb

addressed

some

the

positive

spatial

characteristics in informal areas, which are very common in the Sayyida Zaynab Neighborhood. These characteristics are:

Figure 19: Abdel-Meguid El-Laban Street: Main street overlooking Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center: vibrant life of community

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a) Self-Sufficiency: All Daily Needs Can Be Satisfied in the Area -Residents appreciate having the affordable shops and markets that fulfill all their needs affordable, and perceive them positively as a source of income for area residents (See figure 18). -Presence of many workshops in the area: Positive value of their being in close proximity outweighs their negative effects.

Figure 20: Narrow pathways occupied with shops fulfilling the daily needs of community

b) Work-home proximity: The proximity of work and home locations - Besides environmental gains from reducing energy consumption and pollution produced from vehicular means of transportation, walking to work saves money at the individual level and offers the opportunity to fulfill other needs and errands on the way (saving time, effort, and money). -The distribution of non-residential uses, as well as the comprehensive diversity of those uses. - The compactness of the built forms and the presence of commercial pedestrian streets tied to residential streets without interruptions by wide, vehicular traffic routes are major factors.

d) Participation: People clean and maintain what they feel is theirs - The limit of resident participation in what should be governmental responsibilities stops at the main streets. Figure 21: Entrance to ‘El-Kabsh’ used for garbage collection. Government is responsible for collecting it from the main street.

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Those streets are more public, shared by many, open to outsiders, and hard for residents to control (See figure 19). e) Near-home environment: “My Street- My home” - Streets can be an extension of the home: a private, protected place where children can play and women can sit in the afternoon and exchange news and knowledge (See figure 20). -Social solidarity and strong community ties are

Figure 22: Public Node in-between the houses of 'El-Kabsh'

built. f) Sense of safety: - Evident in the freedom of mobility for women and children, the unlocked doors and windows, and the types of accidents reported. -When commercial uses and the number of workshops increase, and when residents appropriate their residents streets, it can become much safer. g) Social solidarity & community building: - “Sense of community” – “Co-operation” – “presence of family and kin” – “social interaction, companionship, and liveliness” are all advantages expressed by the residents of informal areas. These are the main ingredients for community building. 4) Residents are marginalized; conceptually and practically, from the rights of citizenship, youth are stigmatized, and the failure to protect them from drugs and hustling has caused this place to attract more illegal activity than other, better-protected districts. 5) A potential for architectural development targeting the Youth: The need for completing the intended successful mission of the Cultural Park for Children, which stopped working as it was intended because of the Ministry of Culture’s disallowance for the maintenance of a true community control in the area.

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Historical Analysis 

Sayyida Zaynab Quarter is now a part of one of the earliest capitals of Egypt, ‘Al-Qatai’.



Al-Qatta'i was the short-lived Tulunid capital of Egypt, founded by Ahmad ibn Tulun in the year 868 CE. Al-Qatta'i was located immediately to the northeast of the previous capital, Al-'Askar, which in turn was adjacent to the settlement of Fustat. All three settlements were later incorporated into the city of al-Qahira (Cairo), founded by the Fatimids in 969 CE. The only surviving structure is the Mosque of Ibn Tulun.



Al-Qatta’i is one of the examples of princely towns founded to "mark the birth of dynasties and to affirm their authority." It remained somewhat outside the mainstream of economic vitality of a region, being a center of obvious consumption rather than one of trade and production (Raymond, p. 30).



It was established by Ahmad ibn Tulun when he was sent to Egypt by the Abbassid caliph to assume the governorship in 868 CE. Ibn Tulun arrived with a large military force that was too large to be housed in al-Askar. The city was founded on the ‘Gabal Yashkhur’, a hill to the northeast of the existing settlements that was said to have been the landing point for Noah's Ark after the Deluge, according to a local legend. This community was called al-Qata'i' (the Wards), reflecting its feudal base (Raymond, p. 30).



According to Andre Raymond in his book “Cairo”, “At the heart of this city were the palaces of the ruler and his deputies, central maydans (open spaces) for sports and tournaments, and the awesome Mosque of Ibn Tulun, begun in 876 and finally completed in 878. Surrounding this area were the rectangular feudal fiefs granted to various groups of supporters.



The focal point of al-Qatta'i was the large ceremonial mosque, named for ibn Tulun, which is still the largest mosque in terms of land area in Cairo. Among other architectural features, the

Figure 23: Ibn-Tulun Mosque.View from Zeyada Street

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mosque is noted for its use of pointed arches two centuries before they appeared in European architecture. The historian al-Maqrizi reported that a new mosque had to be built because the existing ceremonial mosque in Fustat, named for Amr ibn al-A'as, could not accommodate ibn Tulun's personal regiment at the Friday prayer. Ibn Tulun's palace, the Dar al-Imara ("Emir's Home") was built adjacent to the mosque and a private door allowed the governor direct access to the pulpit, or minbar. The palace faced a large parade ground and park, featuring gardens and a hippodrome (See figure 21). 

In order to found his city, he razed the Christian and Jewish cemetery that was located on the hill of ‘Gabal Yashkur’ to do so. This was a site to which many legends were attached: it was believed that Noah's ark had landed here after the flood, and that here God had spoken to Moses and Moses had confronted Pharaoh's magicians; nearby, on Qal'at al-Kabsh, Abraham had been ready to sacrifice his son to God (Archnet)



According to Clifford Bosworth, in the book “Historical cities of the Islamic World”, Qala’t El-Kabsh used to be a favorite resort since it laid directly on the Nile (located at west side of Gabal Yashkur). At the present day, it is more than 1km/3/4 mile distant from the river.



There are many other monuments in the Sayyida Zaynab area, close to Qala’t El-Kabsh, like Sarghatmish Mosque, Salar and Sanjar Madrassa and Mausoleum, and Sabil of Youssef Beik.

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Contextual Analysis- Qala’t El Kabsh/Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center

Figure 24: Contextual Analysis map on google Earth image of Qala't El-Kabsh

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Analysis of the site (Qala’t El-Kabsh) is based on participant and non-participant observations to record the social and anti-social behavioral patterns. Several interviews were done with residents of the neighborhood, users of the Sayyida Zaynab Youth center, and Supervisors of the center. The most important guide was ‘Ahmed Nasser’ who was the ‘Native Informant’ through the journey of Qala’t ElKabsh. The criteria of the site analysis were based on several aspects like: 1. Use of Public Nodes/Spaces: 

Public nodes are located at a reasonable spacing serving the whole community.



Low number of workshops is overlooking the public nodes.



Public nodes used for multi-purposes such as: wedding

Figure 25: public space in front of Ibn-Tulun Mosque

ceremonies, funerals, Ramadan football tournaments, or the Mouled¹ of Sayyida Zaynab. (See figure 24) 

Some of the public spaces, like the one in front of IbnTulun mosque, is occupied with tents during the Mawlid 5



(See figure 23).

Most of the daily commercial activities are located in the public nodes. Figure 26: One of the main public nodes beside the mosque of Qaytbay

Mawlid of Sayyida Zaynab: The mawlid (feast day) of Sayyida Zaynab is one of the most colorful in Cairo, drawing thousands to celebrate her putative birthday. The mosque of Sayyida Zaynab is located in Sayyida Zaynab Square which is located at the extension of Abdel-Meguid El-Laban street. This street is the main street facing the Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center.

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

Residents don’t frequently use these nodes for gathering and socializing since public spaces become home for the drug-users at night.

2. Drug-Taking Zones: 

It is perceived by some people as a habit and not a problem threatening their lives, since these drug-users are the ones responsible for the security of the neighborhoodPower of Ownership.



Drug-taking always takes place in: -

Entrances of unused houses

Unused kiosks

Empty apartment

Roofs

Places that have several exits

Figure 27: Drug-Taking zone at the corner of the Qaytbay mosque

Main streets are less occupied with drug-dealing at night since they can easily be arrested. This shows that places for drug-taking are located at a reasonable spacing for having control over the whole neighborhood.



The unused spaces at the boundaries of Qaytbay mosque are used for drug-dealing. As well as other known spaces; usually in small pathways or corners (See figure 25).

3. Workshops: 

Less number of workshops inside the neighborhood. Most of them are located behind Ibn-Tulun and at the main street (Abdel-Meguid El-Laban).

Figure 28: Carpentary Workshop inside 'El-Kabsh'

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

Most of the workshops are for carpentry and most of workers live away from the neighborhood (See figure 26).



Other workshops for blacksmithing and reeds are located at the main street overlooking the center.



Four workshops are located at the fence of the Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center, where only two are opened.

4. Cafeterias: 

Figure 29: Cafeterias inside the neighborhood

Large number of cafeterias are scattered inside the neighborhood (See figure 27).



Most of them open at night, and are known for drugdealing (‫)غرزة‬



The most used spaces in the neighborhood are the cafeterias. They are always occupied with people day and night.

5. Monuments: 

Figure 30: Ibn-Tulun's wall used for parking and cafeterias

Most of the residents don’t know the name of the mosques.



Qaytbay mosque inside Qala’t El-Kabsh is dealt with as a landmark that attracts many commercial, economical, and social activities.



Side walls of the mosques are directly attached to neighboring houses and others are used for parking and Figure 31: Grocery inside 'El-Kabsh'

cafeterias (like Ibn-Tulun’s). (See figure 28)

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6. Commercial daily activities: 

Bread Ovens are the most dominating.



Supermarkets and Groceries are usually located overlooking the public nodes (See figure 29)

7. Educational Facilities: 

No educational facilities

8. Use of technology: 

Figure 32: Play station room inside a carpentary workshop

Play station shops are a lot within the Sayyida Zaynab neighborhood as a whole (See figure 30)

Unused spaces: Entrance to Qala’t El-Kabsh

Figure 33: Google Earth image for unused space in front of the Center

  

The unused space in front of the center includes the stairs leading to El-Kabsh as well as being a space for garbage collection. It is 40 meters in width and 9 meters higher than the ground level. This public space is used daily by the residents of El-Kabsh (See figure 32).

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

It is a potential for architectural development within the proposed project (Re-design of the Youth Center).

Figure 34: Pictures of one of the main entrances to 'El-Kabsh' and also used for garbage collection

Demographic Analysis The information needed for the proposed project was selected in order to know the number of users and optimum spaces for the program.6 Age Groups:  Number of Males ranging from (15 to 45 years) = 5103 males  Number of females ranging from (15 to 45 years) = 5126 females Educational Conditions: 

Illiterate : 4149 persons



Can read and write : 1387 persons



High qualifications : 38 persons



Medium qualifications : 2701 persons

Workforce:



Students not working : 1694 student



Works in educational activities : 437

Source of Information: Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics

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Precedent Projects Zeinhom Youth Center, Zeinhom Housing, Cairo, Egypt Swimming pool zone

Football Yard

Basketball Yard

Two Handball Yards

Medical Center Handicapped Handball zone

Administration zone

Cafeteria + meeting space

Figure 35: Analysis of Zeinhom Youth Center, Zeinhom, Cairo: Space components

It is located at the heart of Zeinhom Housing, which is beside Qala’t El-Kabsh from the Southern direction. Although the new housing project by Suzanne Mubarak at Zeinhom is in better conditions than Qala’t El-Kabsh, according to Ahmed Ragab, Supervisor in the center, “When the housing project was established, peoples in the neighborhood stole the fences and the present items from the gardens. Their behavior towards the project wasn’t as predicted.” This youth center is considered the second largest youth center in Cairo, after El-Gezira Youth Center. Its overall area is 50,000 m2. However, most of the spaces inside are wasted because of

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the lack of money (as shown in the figure above). The interviews showed that it is more used than the Sayyida Zaynab’s. Important Observations 

One of the most common places for socializing is the cafeteria zone. It is surrounded by the two administration buildings and the football yard. It is

Figure 36: Cafeteria inside Zeihom Youth Center

a more cozy space and users feel more comfortable in it. 

Another important space for socializing is the swimming pool zone. It is always crowded during the summer, and this space is frequently rented for wedding ceremonies, which is a very familiar

Figure 37: handball yard inside Zeihom Youth Center

informal activity inside the center. 

The meeting hall is another space that is frequently rented for weddings, seminars, and other events. The seminars don’t attract users as intended because according to Maguid Zaher, president of the social section, “Community in the neighborhood doesn’t find it interesting enough for them. The only seminar that attracted the youth and the community as a whole was the one undertaken by a young person talking about the revolution.”



The most used activities are the football yards, swimming pool, the cafeteria, and the handball yards. Where users practice some sports and socialize.

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

The cultural activities like the library, theatre, and fine arts are almost not functioning. And the amusement park was stolen and not functioning anymore.

Figure 39: football yard inside Zeinhom Youth Center



Figure 38: library inside Zeinhom Youth Center

One of the most common informal (illegal) activities inside the center is drug-taking, which is facilitated by having the center opened 24 hours and with no regulations applied on the users. This is a very common activity in the neighborhood.



The number of people using the center is much less than the expected.



The center is used more frequently during the summer than the winter, and this applies to the rest of Youth centers in Egypt.



The fence surrounding the center is not as high as sayyida zaynab’s. Therefore, some people from the surrounding community climb on it and steal the center.

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Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center, Sayyida Zaynab Qaurter, Cairo, Egypt

Figure 40: Contextual Analysis of Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center

Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center is located at the heart of the community of Sayyida Zaynab, and directly attached to the Cultural Park for Children. The center acts as the architectural potential for the upgrading of the whole informal settlement of Qala’t El-Kabsh. Qala’t El-Kabsh is one of the ‘Shyakhat’ inside the Sayyida Zaynb Quarter, directly overlooking the Center. The only physical boundary between the center and the Cultural Park is a short wall (fence). The connection between both spaces is only perceived from above the stairs leading to ‘El-Kabsh’. These stairs are directly in front of the workshops of the center.

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Space components: Children’s Garden

First floor: Meeting Hall Second floor: Library Seating Area

Two Storey building for Cultural and Social activities, includes: computer labs and nursery classrooms



Fine Arts rooms on the second floor, overlooking the madrassa and mosque of Salar and Sanjar.

The cultural and social activities in the Center such as the children’s park, the fine arts rooms, the nursery, the seating area, the library, and the meeting hall are concentrated beside the entrance. According to interviews with the supervisors and users, all these facilities are not functioning, except for the seating area and the meeting hall which are rarely used.



All the cultural and social activities take place inside the multi-storey buildings. The possibility of engaging with the activities taking place in the open spaces is very low since the design of these buildings doesn’t fit with the intended functions of the space.

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Youth Hostel Football Yard

Basketball Yard 

Workshops

Sports facilities such as the basketball, football and karate yards are located on the other side of the center, separated by the youth hostel which is a three- storey building.



The football yard is the most used space. It is located directly in front the entrance.



Workshops located along the fence belong to the center. Only two of the four workshops are working. They are only accessible from the main street, no accessibility from inside the center.

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Comparison between Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center and Zeinhom Youth Center The information is gathered from interviews with the supervisors and users in both centers as well as non-participatory observations.

Points of Comparison 1. 2.

Location Target group

Membership fees

Number of members Regulations

6. Activities

Sayyida Zeinab Center

Zeinhom Center

Sayyida Zaynab area All age groups (starting 6 years)Members only Above 18 years: 12L.E Below 18 years: 7 L.E 9,000 members

Zeinhom housing All age groups (Members and Non-members) Above 18 years: 12L.E Below 18 years: 7 L.E --------------------------------------

-Non-members are not allowed to use the center -Rental of playgrounds is not possible -Members of Qala’t El-Kabsh create a threat to the center (stigmatized youth) -More controlled

-Rules and restrictions for using the center and accessing it are not applied, fearing from the community. -Non-members are allowed to use the center. - Rental of playgrounds is possible. -Not well controlled

Sports: Training basketball, football, Volleyball, karate, wrestling, & bodybuilding. Ramadan Tournaments. Fitness training for women (often)

Sports: Training football, karate, handball, Kung-fu, gymnastics, wrestling, swimming pool, and fitness.

Culture: Theatre (not functioning ) -Library ( rarely used ) -Seminars in meeting hall, Competitions, Ceremonies Children playing zone (locked and rarely used) Social: religious seminars (rarely) - Trips (rarely) -Youth hostel

Culture: library (rarely used) -Theatre (Not functioning) -Music (Not functioning) -Fine arts (not existing anymore) -Competitions Social: Religious seminars (rarely) -New medical center -Weddings around the pool zone and inside the meeting hall -Trips

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Spaces

8. Area 9. Times of Operation 10. Source of Income

11. Boundaries

12. Percentage of Open spaces 13. Frequency of usage

-Football playground: 1580 m2 -Basketball playground: 640 m2 -Volleyball playground: 300m2 -Gymnasium room (women): -Karate Courtyard: -Children playing zone: -Youth hostel: -Administrative room(inside hostel): -Social building: meeting hall and library: -Theatre hall: - Fine arts rooms(not functioning): -Computer room (not used): -Nursery (not functioning): -Mosque: -Cafeteria: -Outdoor space: 6,800 m2 From 9 am to 12 pm -Weddings in the theatre hall. -Membership -Youth Hostel -Raas El-Bar resort (25 rooms) -High Fence: -Children’s zone, Nursery, meeting hall and fine arts rooms are all locked. Less than 50% of the total area

-Football playground: 6,000m2 -Basketball Playground: 2000m2 - Two Handball Playgrounds: each 1056m2 - Handicapped Handball playground: 300m2 - Medical Center: 798 m2 -Swimming pool zone: 5676 m2 -Library: -Gymnasium room: -Cafeteria: -Amusement zone (not functioning): -Administrative zone: 460m2 -Outdoor Space:

-Less number of people uses the center. -In Summer, the center is more used than in Winter.

-More used by people. -In Summer, the center is more used than in Winter.

50,000 m2 Opened 24 hours -Swimming pool -Rental of playgrounds -Membership ( low income) -Weddings (pool area + hall) -Lower fence: -Gymnastics room is locked. -All spaces are open on interconnected. More than 90% of the total area

Figure 41: Comparison between Sayyida Zaynab Youth Center and Zeinhom Youth Center

each

other

and

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Significance Sense of ownership of the stigmatized youth: 

Zeinhom Youth Center’s accessibility is much easier than Sayyida Zaynab’s.



Rules and regulations are set inside Zeinhom’s: fearing from the youth taking drugs and causing hustling in the area.



Drug-users inside Zeinhom have power over the center; however, they are in need of more security and more activities.

Social and cultural activities in both centers take place rarely, they are almost not functioning. Although the area of Zeinhom is much larger, 70% of the spaces are wasted in Zeihom’s youth center. Youth are more attracted to use Zeinhom youth center because of the less boundaries between the spaces. Both centers are used more during the summer; therefore, open spaces interconnected with other activities are also needed. Concentration of gathering spaces (attractive activities) in a certain zone, attracting more illegal activities.

Open-spaces / not frequently used

Gathering space (cafeteria)

Figure 42: Diagram showing the the concentration of gathering spaces and the ratio between the used and unused spacess

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Boys and Girls Clubs

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (or BGCA) is a national organization whose mission is to "enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens." In 1931, the organization renamed itself Boys' Clubs of America, and in 1990, to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. There are currently (2010) over 4,000 autonomous local Clubs, which are affiliates of the national organization. In total these Clubs serve over four million boys and girls (www.bgca.org).

Boys and Girls Clubs provide the Youth with several programs, such as: 1) Character and leadership programs 2) Education and Career programs 3) Health and life skills 4) Arts Program 5) Sports/Recreational programs 6) Specialized Programs The program offered by the Boys and Girls Club is a good example for developing the youth in an inviting way adapting to their needs. Trusting the youth and giving them authority to be responsible for their own future is a method that fits also within the community of Sayyida Zaynab since the environment they are living in is adaptive to their patterns of life, where the needs of the community varies and depends on the existing conditions.

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Discussion of Results Needs and Activities According to the definition of the problem, the objectives of this project, the analysis of the site, as well as the analysis of national and local precedents, needs of the community can be addressed. Some members of the community of Qala’t El-Kabsh are not well aware of their needs, because some of the problems are perceived as ‘facts’. For example, some perceive the usage of drugs; by most of the youth in the community, as a normal phenomenon that doesn’t threaten their lives. The needs addressed can be implemented in different ways addressed below. The Sayyida Zaynab youth center should act as a facilitator for solving the problems facing the youths in the neighborhood. It is not only about the physical design of the space; it is also more importantly related to the programs offered by the center and the way it is implemented in this neighborhood. The neighborhood of Sayyida Zaynab, which is very rich with history, lacks a lot of potentials such as the technology, free-drug, and cultural awareness. Almost 70% of the time of Youths in the neighborhood is ‘free time’, if this time is used wisely and youths are engaged in healthy positive recreational experiences, he or she is more likely to become a fully functioning adult (Witt, 11). All these three factors together can help in the revitalization of one of the informal settlements located in a historically significant neighborhood in the center of medieval Cairo.

List of needs 1) Youth Ownership/ Deinstitutionalizing the Institution 

In order to enhance the role of youths in the society, we have to give them the opportunity to involve in community activities, which will create sense of belonging and an opportunity to become socially productive, instead of going through illegal activities (drug-using).

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

Youths ‘want to contribute to their community and believe themselves capable of doing so, but are often constrained by adult expectations’ (Sanoff, 18). In our society, youths with good educational standards and high qualifications are the ones who always contribute to the major changes in the society. But the marginalized youths in the low-income communities have much less chances to develop personal responsibilities, tolerance, cooperation, and creativity.



Therefore, youths that experience drug-taking in those low-income communities are specifically the ones who need to be given the chance to make unique contributions in the society, instead of threatening it. The reasons addressed above shows that youths use drugs because they are not integrated into the society, not given responsibilities, and have no opportunities to influence their own living conditions. According to Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, which is in one of the poorest districts in Boston, if youth are offered a supportive and challenging leadership environment that values their engagement, perspective and growth then youth are empowered to invest and contribute to their own and their community’s development. Therefore, their mission was to establish a united youth voice in the Dudley area, motivating and empowering young people to better the local and broader community through positive action. 2) Cultural Awareness

-Most of the residents don’t know the names of the mosques close to their houses. They deal with them only as landmarks. -Relation between the boundaries of the monuments and the activities taking place shows the lack of cultural awareness. - Lack of cultural awareness also comes from lack of education, which is a main factor in the achievement of this need. 3) Technology-based learning

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-According to the young youth of Qala’t El-Kabsh and Sayyida Zaynab as a whole, there is a need of technology education. The only technological tool in the area is the ‘play- station cyber’, which is used daily by the residents. -The technology-based learning/awareness is needed to attract the youths and guide them towards positive achievements. 4) Free-Drug education/Anti-drug Zone -

The project should solve one of the problems manipulating the social, economical, political, and contextual patterns in the neighborhood, adding to the historical value of the area, and adding to the successful intended mission of the Cultural Park for children. Moreover, adapting to the community’s pattern of everyday life, and creating a potential for re-using the existing urban setting in new spatial itineraries where dwelling, working, and learning becomes an enjoyable spatial experience. And the most important thing is dealing with a generative phenomenon threatening the lives of people inside the informal settlements.

According to the interviews done with residents, supervisors in the centers of Sayyida Zaynab and Zeinhom, majority of the youths in the area take drugs on daily basis.

Some residents are not aware of the danger of drug-taking within their neighborhood, for example, according to Mrs. D’oaa, owner of a small restaurant inside ‘El-Kabsh’:

“I don’t become afraid from the youth that take drugs at night directly in front of our house because they are from our neighborhood “ ‫”والد حتتنا‬. And not only youth take drugs; there are women, girls, and old men that take drugs daily. It is a very common tradition in this area.” -Therefore, free-drug education should be applied in an indirect and attractive way so that it can make a difference and create a ‘free-drug Neighborhood’. The Sayyida

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Zaynab Youth center should act as an ‘Anti-Drug Zone’, within the architectural design and the activities offered. 5) Re-using public spaces for positive activities (socializing, learning, etc) instead of attracting drug-using. -Public nodes/spaces in between the lively neighborhood are used for multi-purposes according to the events that take place. But they are mainly for the grouping of commercial activities. -Public spaces became no more gathering places for residents; whether men or women, since it is now occupied with drug-users at night. According to Mrs.Nahla, 24 years old, “I don’t use this public node in front of my house except for buying some bread and other daily needs. Other than that, I just stand in front of my entrance and socialize with a friend working in a grocery in front of my house. After 10 p.m, I don’t use this node; it is for drug-using.”

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List of activities 1) Sports/ Recreational activities (including competitions and sports tournaments) 2) Community Open-discussions (open-theatre) 3) Skills Development for youth (boys and girls): Job opportunities 4) Training for youth in charge 5) Exhibition of work 6) Workshops for youth training. 7) Bazaars and galleries for the community Any member or non-member in the center should have the chance to display their work for enhancing their economical standards 8) Training technology-based skills 9) Focus-group therapy for drug-addicts 10) Illiteracy classrooms 11) Library that can be accessed by the public

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Space and Functional Program The program was/is to be developed with the participation of the community. Like any community project, this one has to be able to retain its original order while at the same time constantly changing and adapting as the process of building continues.

The proposed project should host programs fulfilling the needs of the surrounding community in order to be effective. Being called a ‘Center’ in itself contradicts with the openenvironment of Qala’t El-Kabsh. Youth there are not attracted to use the existing youth center because it is not adapting to their everyday life. One of the main problems facing the youth is drug-dealing, which should be solved by this project since it is primarily targeting the youth of the neighborhood. That’s why; programs offered should be addressing “Free-drug education” in an indirect way. The most suitable method is the “Youth-Participation and Ownership” which will give them power to have control over their future. Some existing activities addressed for children such as: the children’s garden, the closed nursery, and the fine arts rooms will be removed since all these activities are offered in

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the Cultural Park for Children. Moreover, the mosque inside the center will be removed, to encourage users to use the mosques surrounding the center. (See Appendix II)

Target Group: The maximum number of user group is 2560. While the total number of illiterates targeted is 346. The number of members with high and medium qualifications is 230, and the total number of people that can read and write is 116 persons. (See appendix I)

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Appendix Appendix I: Target Group

Appendix II: Awareness Activities

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Appendix III: Sport/Recreational Activities

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Appendix III: Community Gathering Activities

Appendix IV: Skills Development Activities

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Appendix V: Space Program Sheet for Awareness Zone

Total number of illiterate Literacy people in the classrooms neighborhood

346 Focus group rooms

Comp uter labs

Total number of people with high and medium qualificati ons 230

Total number of people with high and medium qualificat ions

230

Targeted Total Number of Number Total number of number classrooms of number of illiterate of users sessions users for people per per this space (total classroom classroom number/3) per day 30 115.3333333 2 4 115.3333333

Targeted number of people with high & medium qualificatio ns (total number/5) 46

Total number of high and medium qualificat ions per room 10

Total number of users per day

Area of Total area one of classroom classrooms (m2) (m2)

120

130

Total number of drug users per room

No. of rooms

Numbe r of session s per room per day

Total number of users for this space

Total number of users per day

Area of one room (m2)

Total area of rooms(m2)

Targeted number of people with high & medium qualificat ions (total number/ 5)

Total number of high and medium qualificat ions per lab

Total num ber of peop le that can read and write

115

Targeted number of people that can read & write (digital literacy students ) (total/3)

38.3333 3333

No. of users per 3.5 hours (Total number of computer s)

Total number of users for this space (adding extra 50 % for public users

Total number of users per day (8 hours)

No. of labs

Area of one lab (m2)

Total area of rooms( m2)

91.42857 143

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Storage room

Area for Number of computer computer storage storage units unit (m2) 0.5

Toilets

Total number of users per day 263.4285714

Library

Area of one block of shelf units (m2) 52

9 Total area of entrance (m2) 25 Total area for exhibition (m2) 40 Total area of library

Number of storage rooms

Area of one room (m2)

Area for circulation (m2)

10.5

2.5

2 Total number of users per gender

Area of toilet per gender(m2) 15

131.7142857

Number of blocks of shelf units 3

Area of Number of micro-fiche micro-fiche station (m2) stations 14 Area of individual workstation (m2) 3.84 Area of admin office (m2)

Area of desks and chairs storage (m2)

6 Number of individual workstations 4

Number of admin offices

Circulation %

Number of toilets 2

Total area of rooms (m2) 13

Total area of toilets (m2) 30

Total area of shelving zone (m2) 156 Total area of micro-fiche stations (m2) 84 Total area of individual workstations (m2) 15.36

Total Area of offices (m2)

Area of admin toilet (m2)

Total area of

Total volume of library

Volume per 300 m2

Number of admin toilets

Total Area of admin toilets (m2) 20

Total area of admin (m2) + (10% circulation) 59.6

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components (m2) 379.96 Total Area of Awareness Zone (m2) + (30 % circulation)

library (m2) 10000

493.948 16464.93333

1042.5324

Appendix VI: Sports and Recreational Spaces

Space Handball Yard Basketball Yard Football Yard Tennis Yard Table Tennis Gymnasiu m Storage room Vestiaire Total Area of Sports/ Recreation al Zone (m2) + (20 % circulation)

Number of users

Area of space(m2)

Quant ity

1056

640

13 4

1400 254

1 1

1400 254

150 7

1 2

4436.4

Total area of equipments (m2)

Circulation factor

Total Area (m2)

1.2

1.1

165 14

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Appendix VII: Skills Development Spaces

Workshops

Area of one workshop (m2) 53

Number of workshop s 4

Area for one worker (m2) 3.5

Number of Workshop s

Number of Galleries per 2 workshop s 1

Number of Gallerie s

Galleries 4

Toilets

Numbe r of worker s 6

Area for machines (m2) 14.6

Area of one gallery (m2)

Total Area of Galleries(m2 )

Area for workin g space (m2) 21

Area for storag e (m2) 17.4

Total Area of workshop s (m2) 212

Total Area of Area of Number Toilets toilet (m2) of toilets (m2) 10 1 10

Total Area of Skills Developmen t Zone (m2)

302

Appendix VIII:

Total Area of land 6800

Occupied area of Land 5780.9324

Area of outdoor open spaces inside the park 1019.0676

Area of stepping outdoor space in front of the park 400

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List of References Abdelhalim, Halim. El-Houd El-Marsoud. Abu-Lughod, Janet. Cairo: The City Victorious. (Princeton, New Jersey. 1971) Amin, Galal. Whatever happened to the Egyptians?-Social Mobility. Aminzadeh, and Afshar. Urban Parks and Addiction. Journal of Urban Design, Vol. 9, No.1, 73-87, February 2004 Asfour, Khaled. Abdel-Halim’s Cairo Garden an attempt to ‘Defrost’ history. Boys and Girls Clubs in America. http://www.bgca.org Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics Crawford, Margaret. Everyday Urbanism (Monacelli Press, 2008) http://www.everydayurbanism.com/books/ De Certeau, Micheal. The practice of everyday life (UC Press 1984) England, Marcia. Stay Out of Drug Areas: Drugs, Othering, and Regulations of Public Spacein Seattle, Washington. Space and Polity, Vol. 12, No. 2, 197 – 213, August 2008. Hatch, C. Ritchard. The Scope of Social Architecture. (1984) Ibrahim, Abdelhalim. A Ceremonial Approach to Community Building. (1988) Raymond, Andre. Cairo. (Harvard University Press, 2000) Raymond, Andre. Nightmares of Growth(1936-1992) Sanoff, Henry. Community Participation Methods in Design and Planning. (2000) Serageldin, Ismail. The Architecture of Empowerment. Singerman, Diane. Cairo Contested: Governance, Urban Space, and Global Modernity (AUC Press, 2006) Whole Building Design Guide. National Institute of Building Sciences http://www.wbdg.org/design/youth_centers.php Witt, P.A, and Caldwell, L.C. (2005). Recreation and youth development. State College. PA: Venture Publishing.