Ashraf AboArafe
Dr. Ibrahim Saber, Governor of Cairo, received Princess Lamia bint Majid Al Saud at the governorate headquarters during her official visit to the Egyptian capital. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including representatives of the UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Local Development.
Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation and reviewing ongoing efforts to develop traditional markets, with particular emphasis on Al-Ataba Market as a pioneering model. Presentations highlighted both the governorate’s and the Ministry’s initiatives, alongside UN-Habitat’s broader interventions across Egypt.
Following the meeting, the Governor accompanied Princess Lamia on a tour of Khedivial Cairo to observe ongoing urban development works. The visit also included Al-Azbakeya Garden and the renovated Sour Al-Azbakeya Book Market, both emblematic of Cairo’s cultural heritage revival.
A field visit to Al-Ataba Market followed, where the delegation inspected newly upgraded model streets implemented under the project’s first phase. The initiative adopted a participatory planning approach, engaging stakeholders and testing practical interventions to improve accessibility, pedestrian mobility, and spatial organization within the market.
Governor Ibrahim Saber emphasized that the project aligns with directives from Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to revitalize historic areas, regulate informal markets, and transform them into organized commercial hubs that meet the demands of sustainable urban development while preserving their distinctive architectural identity.
He added that the project aims to create a safe and civilized commercial environment, support the integration of informal activities into the formal economy, and enhance the economic and investment value of downtown Cairo, in line with Egypt Vision 2030, ultimately improving quality of life in the heart of the العاصمة.
Princess Lamia described Al-Ataba Market as a living model of integrated urban regeneration, one that enhances quality of life, preserves cultural heritage, and strengthens local economies. She underscored the importance of partnership-based planning and thoughtful design in advancing sustainable development, noting that such initiatives reflect the core mission of UN-Habitat in supporting communities and expanding access to adequate housing.
Ahmed Rizk highlighted that the project demonstrates the power of collaborative and participatory approaches in addressing complex urban challenges. He noted that similar initiatives have been implemented in cities such as Rashid and Port Said, reflecting a growing national strategy to revitalize traditional markets.
At the regional level, Rania Hedeya affirmed that such efforts illustrate how integrated urban interventions can deliver tangible improvements in daily life, while fostering more inclusive and resilient cities.
Building on the legacy of World Urban Forum 12, these initiatives align with global priorities for sustainable urban development and contribute to preparations for World Urban Forum 13. Central to this vision is expanding access to adequate housing, in line with the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11.
Al-Ataba Market, one of Cairo’s oldest and most iconic traditional الأسواق, has recently completed the first phase of its redevelopment as part of a broader state plan to modernize informal markets while preserving historically significant areas.
The project, implemented in cooperation with UN-Habitat and national urban planning authorities, was carried out at a total cost of 50 million EGP (excluding infrastructure expenses), funded by the Ministry of Local Development. It adhered to the highest engineering standards while ensuring full coordination with traders and stakeholders to deliver designs that meet their needs and preserve the area’s historic identity.
The first phase benefited 544 vendors and shop owners, transforming the market into a safer, more accessible, and inclusive commercial space. Development works covered three main streets with a total length of 321 meters, introducing improved safety measures, enhanced mobility, and a dedicated emergency access corridor.
The project also included comprehensive infrastructure upgrades—spanning sanitation, water, electricity, and telecommunications—alongside the renovation of 105 shop façades, restoration of architecturally significant buildings, installation of fire-resistant canopies allowing natural light, modern lighting systems, redesigned storefront signage, and an integrated surveillance system to enhance safety.
Together, these efforts position Al-Ataba Market as a replicable model for urban regeneration, one capable of reshaping the مستقبل of traditional marketplaces across Egypt and the wider region.
