Perception of Urban Waterfront Aesthetics Along the Nile in Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Evolving leisure needs and investment potentials have resulted in designing projects along the ecologically and culturally sensitive edge of the river Nile in downtown Cairo, Egypt. This article examines perceived types of different design treatments along the Nile waterfront, based on preference ratings of active river edge users. Seven perceived types of scenes were identified from cluster analysis of Q-sort data obtained from 45 subjects and 20 color photographs. Results from the factor analysis of the same data indicate that level of nature content, level of neglect or care, manicured designs, and proximity to water are important factors that affect preferential judgments of river edge design treatments. Riverfront users express higher preferences when they can freely access the water. The findings support design developments of the river edge only if they are in harmony with nature and without denying the general public physical and visual access to the Nile.