al-Azhar-Park

The al -Azhar Park (Arabic حديقة الأزهر ) is a public garden in the Egyptian capital Cairo.

The park was opened on 30 acres in 2005. Was financed by the system from the Aga Khan Development Network ( AKDN ) with $ 30 million as a gift from Aga Khan IV, whose ancestors had founded the city of Cairo in 969. It is the largest public park in Cairo. Previously was at this point a landfill that had piled up in 500 years. The park is located on a hill above the al -Azhar mosque.

When the park's plant walls have been found from the time of the Ayyubids, Saladin had built in the 12th century. The walls have been restored and integrated into the garden.

The project also included the restoration of the Sultan Shaban Mosque order from the 14th century, the Khayrbek complex from the 13th century and the Darb Shoughlan school. In the park there are also facilities for social and health services.

Prehistory

1984 Aga Khan visited Cairo and saw from his hotel from the hill al - Darassa with its piles of garbage. He offered the city to provide at this point a green lung in the metropolis of Cairo. The work began in 1992. About 765,000 cubic meters of material were removed, 160,000 cubic meters of which were used for filling elsewhere. 605,000 cubic meters of treated geotechnical and mixed with 60,000 cubic meters of special sand and topsoil. This soil mix, the land was covered. A total of 1.5 million cubic meters of rubble and earth were moved, which corresponds to the charge of 80,000 trucks. The hill on which the park is located, is about 55 meters high, that is at least 25 feet higher than the rest of the city in the Nilebene.

While planning the Egyptian government asked to integrate the three cisterns in the system for drinking water supply of the city. The plans had to be interrupted for it and re-structured.

The Park

The park is essentially divided into five sections: Two hills, one in the north and one in the south, a gently curving road to the east, a flat terrain in the north and in the west a steep embankment.

The planners were anxious to integrate Islamic garden art traditions in design and botany, to remember the past of the city. So for the gardens and buildings located in the park styles were used from different regions and different eras, in the orchards, the seating in the shade and the Fatimid archways. Persian and Timurid elements can be found in the rivers and fountains. Thus, the garden presents itself as a throwback to the historic Islamic garden art. The site is powered by its own water reservoir. In addition, there are cafes, children's playgrounds and viewpoints of the city.

Restoration of the Ayyubid City Wall

While the soil was excavated, were found among the mountains of garbage an archaeological treasure: a 15 meter high wall of 1.5 kilometers in length. This long-forgotten Ayyubid city wall and its towers have been restored, and it was decided to integrate them into the garden project.

" [ The] segment of wall Constitutes a uniform piece of construction. It Comprises a few repeating elements, : such as round -fronted towers and curtain walls, and is consistent in its use of materials. [ ... ] The walls are adorned and punctuated by crenellations, arrow slits, stairwells and chambers. "

" [ This ] section of the wall is constructed uniformly. It consists of a few repetitive elements such as round towers and facades, and is uniform in the use of the materials. [ ... ] The walls are decorated and punctuated by battlements, embrasures, stairways and chambers. "

Darb al -Ahmar

Darb al -Ahmar, the park, the neighboring district, is one of the poorest of Cairo, with no sanitation and garbage disposal. The risk of gentrification has been identified by the park and the appreciation of the area's plant and fears the displacement of long-established population. In the quarter will also find over 60 historic monuments which were in poor condition. Aga Khan provided an additional means for a program for the development of this district are available and took other foundations on board.

Thus, measures were taken to strengthen the structures of the neighborhood. The entire population was involved in plant and construction of the park. The plant of the gardens also provided many residents of the district work, the carpenters, for example, presented has manufactured furniture for the building. It Courses were offered in old crafts, but also for computers, automotive electronics, office work and further more. In addition, over 400 micro- loans were granted. Specific courses have been offered for women, for example, of total services in 2008 accounted for 59 percent presented.

In addition, three buildings have been restored in the district, the Khayerbek - conditioning, a monument of Mameluk and Ottoman period, and the Umm al -Sultan Shaaban Mosque. The Darb Shoghlan School has been restored to serve as the seat of the development company.

"We rebuilt the minaret of the mosque and madrasa of Umm al -Sultan Shaaban based on research and studies on the previous minaret, Which falling on collapsed in earthquake. We rebuilt it in order to show people what it Looked like, in order to re -create the past, Which might also be lost forever otherwise. [ ... ] We not only restore monuments, but we therefore aim to make them functional and beneficial for the users. "

"We have the minaret of the mosque and the madrasa of Umm al -Sultan Shaaban result of research and studies of the earlier minarets rebuilt, which had collapsed by an earthquake. We rebuilt it to show people what it was like before, and about the past to re-create that would otherwise have been lost forever. [ ... ] We have not only restored monuments, but our goal was that it should also be functional and useful for users. "

Urban Plaza and the Museum of Historic Cairo

At the northern end of the park an Urban Plaza is under construction, which houses the Museum of Historic Cairo to find a place. The Plaza is a multi-functional center behergen, with shops, cultural activities and parking. It is built by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt.

The museum will represent the history of Cairo. At 4000 square meters, spread over two floors, to 1000 items will be exhibited from different eras that were not previously visible. In order to restore and preserve the artifacts, a laboratory was established, are formed in the young technicians in this field.

Awards

• The al -Azhar Park is listed among the 60 "World's Great Places " of the Project for Public Spaces
• 2005 Global Vision Innovation Award