Bustans in the Historic Buildings of Cairo: Bayt Yakan and its Surrounding Sustainable Neighborhood.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Architectural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Menoufia University

2 Architectural Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Koum, Menoufia ,Egypt

Abstract

Courtyard houses in historic cities of arid areas have roles in regulating the climatic conditions. Those buildings are located within the hearts of urban blocks to expand their ecological impact on their surroundings. Resided by the elites, they were of particular positioning within their neighborhoods to make their courtyards for community interactions. The greeneries, the water, and the serene furniture were elements made those courtyards as little oases in the city’s fabric. Unfortunately, most of those houses are demolished or deserted in bad conditions; a fact that disrupted their climatic and social roles. This research explores the revitalization one of those houses, to introduce the means to re-activate the climatic role and the passivity of the building from one side, and to re-establish social links between the courtyard and the community. The focus is on a recent initiative to establish a “Bustan” in Bayt Yakan that mimics the historic garden usually annexed to the northern of the courtyards. The Bustan is designed on the parameters of the contemporary state of the house. It reinvigorates the roles of greeneries and regenerating the local economy. It involves the community in the process of designing, planting, and maintaining it to encourage them to start small gardens in their houses and that is a positive step to adopt the UNESCO’s HUL approach to revive the heritage values of Historic Cairo. The design also attempts to balance between several aspects such as: selecting suitable plants, harmonizing with the historic surroundings, and partnering with the community.

Keywords

ERJ. Engineering Research Journal
Volume 44, Issue 2
Volume 44 (2) issued on 10/4/2021 in 5 Parts: - PART 1: Electrical Engineering - PART 2: Mechanical Engineering - PART 3: Civil Engineering - PART 4: Architecture Engineering - PART 5: Basic Engineering Sciences
April 2021
Pages 221-232

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