URBAN GAPS BETWEEN NEW AND EXISTING CITIES CASE STUDY OF EASTERN CAIRO

Abstract

The study is concerned with the phenomenon of the urban gaps which exist on the outskirts of mega cities arising between existing cities (native cities) and new cities (suburbs). Considering that these areas are created without prior planning affecting the structure of land use in cities, leading to rapid growth resulting in random uses in these areas, as these uses have not been subjected to studies necessary to ensure their integration with the existing city, nor the regional development plan for this region. In this context, the research aims at determining the structure of the uses of the peripheral areas studied from an integrative perspective with the surrounding areas (the native city), as well as researching the formulation of appropriate intervention methods for these areas to serve the general framework of the native city’s uses. This is achived via a theoretical study aimed at identifying the preferred uses of the outskirts of the mega cities by focusing on the main points: study of the urban environment of the city parts, the study of theories of land use change, the study of land use control, and the study of optimal land use. Moreover, it followed by an applied study in which we explore the nature of Egyptian reality by studying the eastern part of Cairo, as one of the most important areas located on the outskirts of the capital and its embodiment of an inter-urban area, laying between an existing urban fabric and a new one. The research tries to monitor and recognise the landuses arise in this regions, based on the theoretical study, followed by identifing the required landuse structure of this area to make a definite area with a positive effect on the surrounding city (existing city). Through this model, we seek to find a structure preserving the cities frontiers from degradation and seeks to reduce potential slums in these areas.