Sustainability Measures of Public Buildings in Seaside Cities: The New Library of Alexandria (New Bibliotheca Alexandrina), Egypt

Abstract

Coastal cities exist in different parts of the world. Such cities are facing enormous challenges. One of the major challenges is how these cities adapt to severe events caused by climate change impacts. According to the IPCC climate model prediction, many cities, such as Miami (Florida), Brighton (UK),Venice (Italy), Barcelona (Spain), and Istanbul (Turkey), as well as Tunis (Tunisia), Alexandria and Port Saeed (Egypt), and Dubai (United Arab Emirates), are vulnerable to climate change risks. Climate change impact on waterfront libraries in seaside cities has been addressed. These libraries could face serious risks from severe events caused by climate change such as heatwaves, storms, and floods as well as landslides that manifested in many cities during the past decade. This chapter highlights the impact of the severe events that have hit Alexandria in the past 3 years. This book chapter presents a study conducted on the sustainability of public buildings located in seaside cities with reference to a study carried out on the New Library of Alexandria (New Bibliotheca Alexandrina – BA), Egypt. This study focused on the assessment of the New Library of Alexandria in terms of sustainability principles and measures. Also, this chapter highlights the classification of the best 25 coastal cities in the world in reference to the living conditions, quality of life and seaside libraries around the world. Libraries that are overlooking seaside or waterfront areas (rivers) were illustrated and discussed mainly those in the United States, Denmark and Australia. The description of the four waterfront libraries includes a set of features such as (i) concept and form, (ii) spatial experience, (iii) building’s conditions and (iv) environmental sustainability. Special emphasis was given to the sustainability features in Library at the Dock, Australia. The classification of libraries, whether educational buildings, public libraries or owned by institutions, is reviewed. Moreover, the framework for public libraries’ design is developed and presented with emphasis on many features, including sustainability. To develop public libraries, it is vital to understand five main issues to guarantee effective and efficient design and to ensure sustainability. This framework includes (a) context, (b) design features, (c) structure and technology, (d) climate change mitigation techniques and (e) sustainability measures. The New Library of Alexandria (New BA) was assessed and analysed in terms of the aforementioned issues to highlight the integrated sustainability features and measures. The visit to and assessment of the New BA showed that the library has illustrated a great deal of sustainability principles integrated in the building, primarily in the main reading hall and the site.