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Historic districts are unique with its urban fabric, which hosts various activities and land uses. Such districts in the city center of cities are very active with many different users. Each activity attracts different users. Thus, urban mobility is very essential issue for these districts to function properly. Recent urban mobility needs are very different to those in former times, when these districts were built. Therefore, these districts are no longer compatible for contemporary urban mobility, thus, there are many problems facing these districts in reference to the urban mobility.

Zamalek, as one of the most important colonial district in the city center of Cairo, suffers from deteriorated urban mobility situation. This deterioration is mainly due to concentration of activities and densification. This paper is analyzing the existing condition in Zamalek in terms of urban mobility. This, also, includes the urban planning analysis in relation to the urban mobility. The current problems are very challenging, thus innovative concepts shall be implemented to ensure sustainable urban mobility in Zamalek. This paper recommends a set of action plans localized for the current condition in Zamalek and based on successful practices in other cities.

This paper aims to address socio-spatial challenges facing the sustainable regeneration of the 19th-century historic covered Attaba market. One of the few remaining historic market buildings in Cairo. Understanding these challenges is crucial as there is a pressing need for these buildings to be included in the national heritage regeneration policies that would foster their role as sustainable socio-economic urban nuclei within the city center.

The paper detects the socio-spatial transformation of the Attaba market through the comparison of archival material. This is supported by observations on the current socio-spatial aspects of the market including forms of interactions, conflicts and interventions of various user groups. A number of 30 semi-structured interviews with traders of the Attaba market were conducted inside the market, along with in-depth observations carried out between 2016 and 2018. Finally, information about local policies toward the market is obtained through interviews with local officials currently managing the market, namely, the Egyptian Endowment Authority and Cairo Governorate.

The findings reveal a lack of clear regeneration policy and a complete absence of public participation in decision-making. These factors erode the crucial role these markets play in revitalizing the city’s socio-economic strength and threaten their tangible and intangible values.

The paper focuses on one of the understudied building types that, however, represent key opportunities for the sustainable development of their contexts. The paper proposes a framework that can be applied to regenerate the Attaba market and its surroundings. When tested, the framework can be also adjusted and applied to the other historic covered markets in Cairo.