Landscape architecture helps revitalise Egyptian cities
Image courtesy of IFLA Africa
The current state of landscape architecture in Egypt presents a significant challenge. The lack of clear guidelines and defined roles for landscape professionals leads to urban planning that overlooks the potential of open spaces. This calls for a shift in perspective, where landscape architecture assumes a strategic and central role in creating sustainable and resilient Egyptian cities, particularly in the face of climate change and uncontrolled urbanisation.
Egypt's urban landscape faces a convergence of challenges. Aridity and water scarcity resulting from various factors including unsustainable practices by individuals and government, pose significant threats to future generations' access to vital resources.
It is crucial for the government to develop sustainable plans and strategies to replace consumed water in a resilient manner. Additionally, rapid, and often haphazard urbanisation further compounds these challenges, endangering the well-being of both citizens and the environment.
The intensification of heatwaves, the deterioration of air quality, and the shrinking of natural habitats further highlight the urgency for action. Traditional planning approaches that prioritise car-centric development and concrete landscapes not only diminish the aesthetic value of cities but also exacerbate the adverse effects of climate change.
Considering these circumstances, it is imperative to promote landscape architecture to address these challenges. By integrating open spaces, sustainable water management strategies, and climate-responsive design principles, Egyptian cities can become more resilient and enhance the quality of life for their inhabitants.
Landscape Architecture: Beyond Aesthetics
Landscape architecture is much more than just beautification. It's a comprehensive approach that integrates ecological, social, and aesthetic considerations into urban planning. Landscape architecture offers a powerful solution. By integrating ecological principles with design expertise, landscape architects can transform Egyptian cities into vibrant and resilient ecosystems. Here's a deeper dive into the potential:
A well-defined landscape strategy should be implemented in Egyptian urban strategic planning by tackling the following themes:
City Oasis: Implementing strategic planting using native, drought-resistant species can establish urban oases within cities. Trees providing shade can reduce the heat island effect, while strategically placed vegetation can slow down wind speeds and decrease dust pollution. This can be achieved by reclaiming and repurposing certain traffic spaces, transforming them into oasis-like centres reminiscent of traditional village cores that Egypt used to have. This approach also contributes to reducing carbon dioxide levels in the heart of cities.
Rain or Shine: Green infrastructure solutions such as bioswales and rain gardens play a vital role in capturing and filtering stormwater runoff. By replenishing groundwater reserves and preventing flooding during heavy rains, these solutions ensure a more sustainable water cycle.
Urban Farming and Biodiversity: Integrating rooftop gardens and vertical gardens not only provides fresh, locally sourced food but also creates microclimates that benefit surrounding buildings. These urban farms can attract pollinators essential for a healthy ecosystem. Building on the success of initiatives like the rooftop farming in Garbage City, near old Fatimid Cairo, expanding and planning for widespread adoption of rooftop farming can enhance ecological systems and provide more affordable food options.
Walkability and Social Cohesion: Well-designed open spaces featuring pedestrian walkways and bike paths promote physical activity and social interaction. Parks become vibrant community hubs, fostering a sense of belonging and strengthening social cohesion.
Maximising the Potential of Open Spaces: Parks, plazas, and green corridors significantly enhance the character and liveability of Egyptian cities. Strategic planting can create shaded areas, reduce the heat island effect, and provide natural cooling.
Preserving Heritage and Wildlife: Recognising the historical and ecological significance of Egypt and its cities, efforts should be made to protect and conserve these areas. Integrating existing features such as ancient ruins and native vegetation into urban landscapes not only enhances the city's identity but also supports biodiversity.
Promoting Public Enjoyment and Recreation: Building upon successful public integration experiences in Egyptian cities, the creation of a network of safe and accessible open spaces encourages physical activity and social interaction. Thoughtfully designed landscapes can minimize erosion while offering opportunities for recreation that respects and preserves the natural environment.
Beyond the Green: A Collaborative Approach
The transformation of Egyptian cities requires a multi-pronged approach:
Policy and Regulation: Enacting clear guidelines for landscape architecture integration in urban planning is crucial. Zoning regulations that incentivise green development and prioritize open space creation are essential.
Education and Awareness: Raising public awareness about the benefits of landscape architecture fosters community support for green initiatives. Educating future generations of architects, planners, and developers about the importance of integrating nature into the urban fabric is critical.
Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between government agencies, private developers, and landscape architects can lead to innovative solutions. Public funding for green infrastructure projects can be leveraged with private investments, creating a win-win situation for all stakeholders.
Addressing Urbanisation Challenges
The current trend of massive urban sprawl in Egypt often disregards the carrying capacity of the land and existing ecosystems. This approach leads to environmental degradation, social inequalities, and unsustainable infrastructure demands.
Climate Change Considerations: Unregulated urbanisation intensifies the heat island effect, amplifies water runoff, and compromises natural flood defences. To address these impacts, landscape architects play a crucial role in designing green infrastructure solutions. Implementing features such as rain gardens, bioswales, and urban forests can effectively manage stormwater, alleviate heat stress, and enhance air quality.
One challenge with climate change plans in Egypt is that they are often limited to the purview of experts and elites. There is a pressing need for more inclusive and accessible on-the-ground plans that involve and benefit the general population. By engaging communities and incorporating their perspectives, a more comprehensive and effective approach to climate change adaptation and mitigation can be achieved. This ensures that the plans not only address the needs of the nobles and experts but also cater to the requirements and aspirations of the wider population.
Beyond Urban sprawl: Instead of expanding outwards, Egyptian cities should consider densification with a focus on creating walkable, mixed-use neighbourhoods. Integrating green spaces within these developments fosters a sense of community and creates a healthier urban environment.
Examples:
The Green Spine of Cairo is an ambitious project that seeks to establish an extensive network of parks and green corridors that stretch across the city. By integrating nature into urban landscapes, the project aims to achieve multiple objectives, including improving air quality, enhancing public health, fostering neighbourhood connectivity, and revitalizing underutilised areas.
While the benefits of such a project are evident, it is crucial to address the issue of water availability in a country already facing water scarcity. To ensure the success and sustainability of the Green Spine, robust water management plans must be developed. These plans should consider efficient water usage, recycling, and replenishment strategies. Additionally, a coordinated approach that integrates waste management practices and encourages responsible water usage among the public is essential. By raising awareness and promoting behavioural changes, the project can mitigate water wastage and optimize resource utilisation.
Calculating the water and energy requirements of the project is paramount. Through careful assessment and planning, the government can ensure that the project operates within sustainable limits. Strategies for water conservation, such as implementing water-efficient irrigation systems and utilising rainwater harvesting techniques, should be incorporated into the project. Furthermore, the design and management of the green spaces should prioritise the use of native and drought-tolerant plant species to minimise water demand.
In the development of new cities, it is crucial to prioritise the integration of green infrastructure from the very beginning. By incorporating elements such as tree-lined streets, rooftop gardens, and sustainable water management systems, these cities can be designed to be truly sustainable and resilient. The inclusion of wetlands within public gardens can provide additional ecological benefits, acting as natural filtration systems and supporting biodiversity. Implementing sustainable water drainage systems for public use, such as bioswales and permeable pavements, can help manage stormwater runoff and replenish groundwater reserves.
Egypt's future lies in embracing a greener vision. By recognising the transformative power of landscape architecture and fostering a collaborative approach, the nation can create cities that are not only functional but also sustainable, resilient, and beautiful. Investing in green infrastructure is an investment in the health, well-being, and future prosperity of its citizens.
By recognising the vital role of landscape architecture, Egyptian cities can embrace a more sustainable future. A well-defined landscape strategy, coupled with responsible urban planning practices, can ensure that these cities are not only functional but also beautiful, healthy, and resilient in the face of climate change and unjustified sprawl. Investing in a greener future for Egyptian cities requires a collaborative effort between landscape architects, urban planners, and policymakers. By prioritising the creation of a sustainable urban landscape, Egypt can ensure a better quality of life for its citizens for generations to come.
Article courtesy of IFLA Africa