Urban Replanning and Architecture Design of Maspero Triangle

The Egyptian Ministry of State for Urban Renewal and Informal Settlements (MURIS) and the Governorate of Cairo organized an international competition by invitation for the development and design of the master plan of the Maspero triangle district, with an area of 35 ha in downtown Cairo.

The goal of this competition was to inspire an urban design that exemplifies community diversity, showcases heritage, protects the environment and preserves the diversity of its residents.

Keywords : Heritage, Tourism, Transformation, Urban Landscape

Competition results

Second Prize : Foster and Partners.

Firm from the United Kingdom.

Third Prize : Stefano Boeri - F&M ing. Baukuh.

Firm from Italy.

Third Prize :Dar Al Handasah & Perkins + Will

Firm from Egypt and USA.

Theme and objectives

The Maspero triangle is one of the historical areas dating back to 1890, standing on 87.5 feddans (a feddan is 4200 m2) of land and home to at least 13,000 residents. It was an extension for Boulac district, which was the Ottoman western port of Cairo on the Nile River (Beau Lac) and the geographic extension to Khedivial Downtown Cairo. The triangle occupies a central location overlooking the Nile Corniche in central Cairo with a distinctive urban character constituted by the Ottoman, Khedivial architectural style.

Besides the broad questions that this completion raises in reference to the challenges posed by the city of Cairo in this critical moment in history, and the specific role the Maspero Triangle is playing as a symbol and as potential influencer for its future development, there are more concrete objectives that we hope this completion would address and present possible scenarios for. These include:

Develop a vibrant district that includes residential, commercial, business, historic, cultural and leisure destinations.
Create a flexible development model, which can be modified according to market variables and changeable local community desires.
Improve the living conditions of the current and anticipated residents.
Develop economically feasible projects which benefit the country, investors, and local community.
Maintain and enhance the value of the existing historical buildings in the proposed urban scheme and capitalize on the potential value of existing heritage buildings and fabric.
Develop an integrated approach that brings together economic growth models in line with social and physical growth models.
Present a new model for integrating local identity within the broader realms of contemporary urban and architectural language.
Serve as a model for development spill over for surrounding neighborhoods.
Provide flexible spaces to accommodate the suggested activities within an evolutionary growth pattern.
Explore the potentials for placing relevant cultural activities within the area that is broadens the diversity of social and economic classes attracted to the area.
Create an attractive destination: a central gathering place for city residents of all ages, economic and social categories as well as for tourists.
Enhance the functional role of Maspero area as a natural extension to downtown and a connector to the Nile River.
Minimize project negative environmental impacts and potential traffic effects.
Avoid gentrification that might repel local resident from their neighborhood or replace them by new community.