Introduction

Abstract

Egypt is divided into four main agroecological zones: the Nile Valley which comprises the Nile Delta, the fertile land of Middle and Upper Egypt, and reclaimed desert areas; the North Coastal zone which stretches from the north coastal area of Sinai to the north-western coast; the Eastern Desert and Sinai with their southern region; and the Western Desert, including its oases and remote southern region. The line between natural and built conditions is a heavily perforated one-human activity directly impacts natural environment, while natural conditions create consequences for the built environment. The Egyptian real estate company, Al-Ismaelia, has acquired 21 properties with the aim of rolling out cultural gentrification. It comes with a 45-billion-dollar price tag and is intended to be funded entirely by private investment. The General Organization of Physical Planning develops city master plans and strategic plans that are generally insensitive to heritage preservation issues with directives to demolish historic buildings and develop wide avenues through historic sites.