Learning from Little Damascus: a community-led model for public space in greater Cairo's new cities

Egyptian populations are gradually moving into the recently developed new cities of Greater Cairo. Inhabitants of the new spaces start to shape and personalize it, building their communities and increasing the sense of belonging in their neighborhoods. An analysis of how time, context and socio-economic factors affect the public realm in Cairo’s new towns is integral to identify the criteria needed to plan new cities. This type of analysis has not been studied yet in the context of Egypt. Thus, this research presents a new lens by shedding light on the conditions of public space in the new urban communities with reference to the planning of Cairo’s center and its public realm. The study thoroughly analyzes a community-led placemaking model in Sixth of October’s City core of Al Hossary area based on a 3-tier Place criteria and develops a framework for place-led development in the new cities of Greater Cairo.