Vision
Major thinking with national objective ideas for old Islamic Cairo
Linking between the historical location in old Cairo with a network of paths
for public transportation, pedestrian paths, and services.

Main strategy
Spot light the important building , urban space and paths using the following
steps.

The concept of the design form is created through emergence of linear continuous shape with nodes representing the old Islamic Cairo streets; deconstruction lines are added to create contrast with surrounding environment. Different width is imposed to create more dynamic movement and attract people from outside to inside. Architectural elements were added to the site to reinforce the design concept where extended welcoming unit representing Mashrabiya as a point of interaction to improve outside and inside connection. Moreover, vertical column as landscape element represent site different type of minaret where visitors can see from the plaza “5” mosque, this column include different facilities. The used colors ensure the idea of contrast with yellow color to generate attraction point in front of historical building and encourage movement and activities. The design mainly aims to enhance the interaction between the site’s elements and users and the users and each other’s, improve branding the city image and inserting flexible design with many interactive actives.

The study looked into various perspectives concerning public spaces and the interactions between vehicles and pedestrians in order to present a people-oriented planning approach. The next figure presents a framework of potentials, challenges and proposals that contributes both to the project itself and to further studies. Renovation decision aspects
New uses
Activities
Public spaces
Design for residents
Greenery
Access & circulation
Vitality & diversity
Advertising
Architectural elements
Cleanliness & maintenance
Building renovation
Landscape elements
Comfort image
Legibility
Safety & control
Visual sequence
Branding
The design main strategy is based on the analysis of site’s elements and important location beside a very important archeological area and surrounded by number of historic and monumental buildings. The main element that plays a major role in the design decision is the site’s users either they were locals or out-comer where the uses are distributed for all categories that are classified according to their background. The design mainly targets users’ experience and perception towards the sense of place including (spaces, paths and buildings); this experience is concluded according to visual sequence of the main points of the site beside the branded surrounding historic buildings.
The design mainly highlights the site’s attraction points including historic buildings, enhancing spaces, adding architectural elements and inserting new activities and uses that revitalize this important historic area. The design decisions aims to strengthen and preserve the site’s cultural and built heritage inspired from the human dimensions that target social, economic and environmental sustainable regeneration of the area based on theoretical structure.

Design Solutions Based on the survey results, field observation, existing data, and previous studies of the issue, this report outlines suggestions to continually improve pedestrianization efforts in Darb Al labbana. These include:
- Providing accessibility for all in Darb El labbana is a prerequisite the essential basic principle underlying all interventions.
- Create common, effective and safe walking routes and gathering spaces to enable users to benefit from all opportunities in Darb Al labbana has to offer.
- Put in place traffic calming policies in the Peninsula and develop an integrated mass transportation system to increase its efficiency.
- Study current routes used by private vehicles and particularly tour busses, in order to implement a holistic plan and management of their travel routes.
- Mass transportation on the streets surrounding Darb Al labbana should be subjected to an integrated planning process in order to create a system that will both feed the immediate area and connect it with other centers.
- Present tourists with multiple travel modes choices to reach and tour Darb Al labbana, such as minibuses, light rail systems, walking and cycling routes.
- Create an urban design guideline for Darb Al labbana as a whole, one that bases design on the specific identity and character of the streets.
- Streets that are exclusive to pedestrian use must be designed to reflect this specific function.
- Frequently used streets within the inner part of Darb Al labbana should be identified and services such as street art applications, seating and resting places and green spaces should be provided to meet people’s needs.
- Re-plan Lala plaza of its physical and visual interaction with the water and develop their recreational qualities.
- Informational signage must be installed at intersections, especially direction signs and way finding information. .
- Urban elements, such as benches, artwork, pavestones, lighting and greenery, should be unique, distinguishable and characteristic of their environment, and be installed on main routes for easy discernment even from afar.
- Street lighting should enable streets to continue performing their function as vital veins of urban life at night. Lala Square should be illuminated so that its physical and visual characteristics are highlighted and various activities can be carried out.
- Resting and seating places, patches of plants, trash bins, lighting fixtures, street paving and indication signs are immediate critical components of passages and their implementation is vital to creating a safe and pleasant public space.
- Sustainability of the project over time will only be achieved by developing community ownership. Users should view the streets as their ‘living space’. Designing better, safer, more accessible, and visually appealing- streets with improved environmental and physical qualities will be instrumental for increasing the level of satisfaction amongst urban users.