EXPERIENCE

FUSTAT SITE IMPROVEMENT & TOURIST ATTRACTION (PROPOSAL)

Capacity: Consultant

DESCRIPTION

Today the excavated remains of the city that signals the inception of the Islamic era and the arrival of Arab culture and society in Egypt face an uncertain future. The ubiquitous problems of environmental damage, population growth, urban expansion, vegetation growth, garbage dumping, bureaucratic indifference and the ever-present rising groundwater threaten to consume the last vestiges. Currently, there are no excavations on-going at the site although the inspectors of the Ministry of Antiquities continue to catalogue artifacts in the storerooms and maintain the heritage site

PROJECT VISUALS

The project combines a blending of new cost effective innovative techniques in conservation, preservation, tourist attraction, solar power and sustainable, community engaged, urban agriculture utilizing hydroponics that can be duplicated for other historic sites with groundwater problems that is prevalent in Egypt and elsewhere. The focus area is a section of Fustat approximately 56,240 square meters (0.56 square kilometers). Fustat’s historic importance and its approximation to the Civilization Museum, makes it an ideal setting for attracting tourists. It is also an area where the residents are economically depressed. A sustainable community enterprise is warranted storerooms and maintain the heritage site

  • Obtain the concession
  • Establish ministries’ protocol
  • Historic research documentation
  • Photographic documentation throughout the life of the project
  • Minor surface mapping (survey)
  • Subsurface GPR mapping and geology study
  • Excavate cultural material when necessary
  • Install underdrain system – furnish hydroponic system with water
    • Preserve Salah el Din wall remnant
    • Install small structure over remnant foundation
    • Furnish interior
    • Install virtual reality simulation of the city of Fustat
  • Install underdrain system
    • Community liaison to develop cooperative with local residence focusing on empowering women
    • Train individuals on the use of hydroponics
    • Train individuals on the business aspect of the cooperative
  • Install Solar Power to systems and provide solar powered lighting with grid backup
  • Train individuals on craft making and introduce new craft types. Focus on local women
  • Train Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities employees on Heritage Management
  • Train cooperative employees on Site Maintenance
  • Site Improvement
    • Install pathway from Civilization Museum to the house structure that includes multiple signage and periodic shaded benches
    • Install pathway from house structure to existing Craft Center

Year: 2018 - 2019