Applications of morphological regionalization in urban conservation: the case of Bulaq Abulela, Cairo

Abstract

The absence of a reliable tool to support local authorities in the process of boundary delimitation of significant urban areas is one of the major problems facing urban heritage conservation. This paper explores and introduces potentials of applying the concept of urban regions, and methods of urban regionalization, as a new approach to better inform processes of delimitation of significant urban areas in Cairo, Egypt. This is an important step towards urban conservation in a city where strong pressures of urbanization and the eradication of traditional and historic urban fabric represent a major threat. By tracing the morphological transformation of the historic quarter of Bulaq Abulela, then applying the morphological regionalization process to a selected area of study, several important historical urban gains that are not included within the national protection boundaries, are revealed. This calls for revisiting current local protection boundaries of the historic quarter, as well as a revision of the adopted local processes of protection boundaries delimitation in general. It also calls for the application of morphological regionalization in processes of boundary delimitation for urban conservation areas.