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MEDIA COVERAGE AND USERS’ REACTIONS

Al Azhar Park in Cairo re-examined

Ashraf M. Salama

Introduction

This chapter examines the hypothesis that projects celebrated in the public or specialized media are not necessarily meeting users’ expectations or satisfying their needs. This premise is derived from the contemporary design discourse that emphasizes that influential publications foster the image of architecture as art and only art (Nasar 1986; Sanoff 1991; Salama 1995). They present the formal aspects of the work of star architects where the creation of the built environment is seen within geometric abstract and artistic terms. It is possible to assert that in the media typically very little attention is given to users’ feedback or behaviour, needs or expectations. Furthermore, it is widely acknowledged that a considerable portion of the general and architectural media still adopt the view of architecture as art; thereby the media content is expected to be supportive of this view. Stemming from this argument, the purpose of this chapter is to examine whether the intensive media coverage of Al Azhar Park, a massive project that is portrayed as a new green lung for Cairo, as a sustainable urban development project indicates its success from the users’ perspective.

A multilayered methodology was devised in a manner that involves the implementation of two investigation mechanisms. The first is a preliminary content analysis of a total of 64 online and printed publications that covered the project in reporting, descriptive, as well as analytical terms. The objective of this procedure is to discern the way in which the project was portrayed in the media and what aspects were most praised. The second mechanism is a survey that involves users’ reactions to park design, nature of activities, and management issues. Responses from 184 users were analysed while relating aspects celebrated in the media to users’ feedback. By developing knowledge on how the users and visitors of Al Azhar Park perceive the project and how the spatial qualities meet their needs, an in-depth insight into the understanding of the merits of the project is developed. In addition, assessing different aspects of the park may reveal specific shortcomings, which could eventually lead to recommending ways of improvement.

FIGURE 8.1 View of Al Azhar Park to the north

Source: photo by Gary Otte, Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Geneva.

Spatial quality and key design features of the park

Spatial quality involves physical, symbolic, behavioural, and experiential aspects (Rapoport 1970). Thus, selected physical features of the project at the micro, meso, and macro levels are introduced to underscore some of these aspects. The park was conceived to include: main spine (palm colonnade); formal gardens; hilltop lookout kiosk; hilltop restaurants; children’s structured play area; children’s amphitheatre and stage; lookout plaza; water cascade and stream; and lake (Figure 8.1). These elements are missing from most public spaces in Cairo and consequently the behavioural and experiential aspects underlying spatial quality (Salama 2008). Relating its visitors to Cairene heritage, the park was strategically planned, by Sites International, to provide an exceptional panorama of prominent monuments. From the hilltop restaurant in the northern section of the park towards Cairo Citadel runs a linear main spine that ends at the southern section of the development at a man-made lake and a lakeside café (Figure 8.2), which provides scenic views to mosques and minarets. Branching from the main spine are many smooth and flat areas of lawn, fountains, and flowering trees and plants (AKTC 2001).

Dramatically situated adjacent to the lake is the lakeside café, designed by the French architect Serge Santelli, overlooking eye-catching views (Figure 8.3). It offers a remarkable balance between contemporary style and principles of Islamic gardens. Such principles include the prevalence of symmetrical forms, the use of water features, the commonness of shaded areas, and wooden screens (Mashrabiya). These features are manifestations that the park enjoys unique symbolic qualities and that it was conceptualized as a series of areas and enclosed zones along the central passage system. The hilltop restaurant is located in the north, designed by local architects Ramy Al Dahhan and Soheir Farid to simulate conventional Mamluk architectural motifs and themes. It encompasses large indoor and outdoor open spaces on different ground levels (Figure 8.4) that include an external terrace, internal banquet hall, a gallery space, and a manzara (roofed overlook porch). Further north is a small amphitheatre with a stage which serves the park’s musical programme and nearby services were created on the western side facing a major round twelfth-century tower. Adding to the experiential quality of the park, several other features include car-free zones where visitors may be transported within the park by a small rubber-tyre train, while its operations team uses electric vehicles (i.e. golf carts). In addition, tree lighting and lighting of the water elements are used with the intention to provide sufficient lighting, thus allowing the public to visit until midnight. Usable green spaces were maximized to take up to 10,000 persons on any given day (AKTC 2001).

FIGURE 8.2 View to the north of the park through the main spine

Source: author.

FIGURE 8.3 View to lakeside café through the lake

Source: author.

FIGURE 8.4 Front view of hilltop restaurant showing outdoor terraces and the Mamluk architectural motifs adapted to create a contemporary image in harmony with the context

Source: author.

While the preceding analysis concerns itself with the micro level, at the meso level the redevelopment of Darb Al Ahmar district and the restoration of the Ayyubid wall and other landmark buildings are important manifestations. The clearance of the slum upon which the park was built was part of a socio-economic drive, intended to improve the overall condition of the surrounding district. Buildings of historical value and homes were renovated. After surveying the area’s residents, a list of priorities as viewed by the community was developed and included training programmes, sanitation, housing rehabilitation and renovation, micro-finance, employment, and health care. At the macro level, Al Azhar Park’s profile is much appreciated by the larger city.

FIGURE 8.5 Categories of concepts/terms utilized in the content analysis of media coverage of Al Azhar Park

TABLE 8.1 Compelling titles used by the media to project and depict Al Azhar Park

Source: author.