The impact of productive open spaces on urban sustainability: The case of El Mansheya Square – Alexandria

Abstract

There is a rapid growth of town and cities which leads to a clear deterioration in urban open spaces. In this regard, urban open spaces in Egypt generally, and in Alexandria particularly are in a rapid decline. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development and creation of new productive urban open spaces.Alexandria city faces many problems such as the rapid increase in urban population which leads to a rapid aborting urban expansion of the city. Also, nature has been diminished and human relations have been damaged. This destruction has caused a decrease in the number and the quality of open spaces and has led to the loss of opportunity to come into contact with nature and the surrounding environment.However, the question now is, could productive and responsive open spaces be formed or reshaped within the city of Alexandria to help it become sustainable?The paper attempts to answer this question through examining the causes which lead to the decrease in the number of open spaces. It tackles the role of productive urban spaces in the city through analyzing Superkilen (Denmark) and applying its strategies on El Manshaya Square as a case study in Alexandria city. These guidelines would help to create sustainable urban open spaces in Alexandria.