Urban Pocket Parks Promoting Quality of Life and Mitigating UHI Impacts – A Case Study of “Al Zawya Al Hamra” District

Abstract

The generality of the Egyptian cities and especially the Cairo region cities experience increasing signs of environmental stress. This stress is pronounced notably in the form of poor air quality, high density, traffic overcrowding, neighborhoods lacking basic facilities and services, increasing population and decreasing percentage of urban open green spaces. This research aims to reach for Egyptian Suitable Pocket Parks design guidelines which would help to mitigate the impacts of urban heat islands, promote the public health in the city and increase the green areas for more social interaction and user’s satisfaction that goes for a large environmental, social and economic benefits. The Study aims to answer the following two main questions: How is it possible to use pocket parks as a greenery method in a city with very limited resources to mitigate the impacts of Urban Heat Islands and promote the community’s quality of life? And what are the perfect design guidelines of pocket parks in the Egyptian case? The study implements the case study method through studying “Al Zawya Al Hamra” district which is one of the highest dense over populated districts in Cairo city.The key findings of this paper disclose a 3d model for a proposed pocket park in one of the district’s neighborhoods. Most of the interviewed residents in the action area context expressed their high satisfaction after watching the space model before and after designing the pocket park. With proper community participation through the whole design process, the proposed design framework of pocket parks in the Egyptian case was enhanced and refined.