Al-Darb Al-Ahmar

Al-Darb Al-Ahmar view
Project box

Geographical area: Middle East and North Africa

Location: Cairo, Egypt

City size: XL (above 5,000,000 inhabitants)

Promoter: Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Developer: Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Start year:

End-year:

Implementation phase: Completed

Project size: Neighborhood

Total area of intervention (in sqm): 130.133

Total investments (in USD): 4.8 million

Project overview

Al-Darb Al-Ahmar is a historic district in Cairo, Egypt. The neighbourhood is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Historic Cairo, with mosques and monuments dating back to the 14th century. Despite its historical relevance, this densely built-up area faces a high poverty rate, social exclusion, and lack of adequate infrastructure and services, which were worsened by the 1992 Cairo earthquake. To tackle these issues, in 2000, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture initiated the al-Darb al-Aḥmar Housing Rehabilitation Programme (HRP) in collaboration with the local government and international donor agencies. This effort follows the establishment of the 30-hectare Al-Azhar Park, which catalysed a wave of urban renewal initiatives in Cairo.

The programme aimed to challenge the prevalent vision of heritage conservation, proposing a new strategy where monuments, ancient buildings, and open spaces are protected due to their historical value and, at the same time, reintegrated into the district’s everyday life, where regeneration efforts are also aimed at private residential and commercial buildings. A baseline survey conducted in 2003 formed the foundation of the project’s planning phase, identifying urban, social, economic, and health-related needs. A series of meetings were organised to determine conservation and development priorities from the community's perspective. Through discussions with residents, a set of priorities were established, including the refurbishment of historical houses and buildings, the upgrading of public spaces, and quantifying funding needs for the envisioned small housing improvement interventions, health services, and local community development centres. This approach allowed the integration of physical interventions while also addressing social and economic challenges through a comprehensive social development programme. This program encompasses apprenticeship opportunities, essential social services (healthcare, education, and waste disposal), micro-credit for business development, and capacity-building initiatives for local NGOs, ensuring they can sustain the rehabilitation process independently without further assistance from AKTC.

Physical regeneration interventions were implemented in three action areas: Burg al-Zafar street, which required significant transformation to reverse its status as a crime-ridden and neglected area, plagued by illegal dumping grounds; the densely populated Aslam neighbourhood, where targeted interventions aimed at enhancing housing and infrastructure were implemented; and the Bab al-Wazir area, which saw infrastructure upgrades and the revitalisation of inactive assets, especially monuments.

Through negotiations between owners and tenants, and agreements signed with public authorities, the programme successfully secured tenure status for 285 households at risk of eviction. It rehabilitated 85 buildings, and improved living conditions through various enhancements. These include the addition of 42 new private bathrooms, 55 new kitchens, expanded living spaces that enhance privacy, and increased natural light and ventilation in all habitable areas, along with improved access to safe water and sanitation. 

The programme also yielded a series of complementary results: increased collaboration and willingness among owners and tenants to financially contribute to rehabilitation efforts; and enhanced the demand for local craftsmen and contractors. The microcredit programme was implemented with a remarkable repayment rate of 99.6% over five years; knowledge of nonconventional low-cost building techniques was disseminated; and a refined and acknowledged practical rehabilitation mechanism was implemented.

In parallel, the HRP influenced national policy. It helped prompt the revision of Cairo’s outdated 1973 Master Plan and facilitated the development of a new Conservation Plan for Historic Cairo in 2008. The project became a model of participatory heritage-led development, recognised by institutions such as UN-Habitat, and helped challenge demolition-focused planning norms. Despite its successes, the project ended in 2009 as donor priorities shifted and the organisations involved started privileging other types of development projects.

It must be emphasised that, due to the political turmoil of the 2011 revolution, the built environment in historic Cairo and many urban areas in Egypt has dramatically changed. Therefore, no evidence exists regarding the current status of the regenerated buildings and monuments and loan reimbursements in the area.

The regenerated area of al-Darb al-Ahmar presents a complex and historically layered urban fabric where multiple land uses have been revitalised in a coordinated effort to preserve cultural heritage while improving quality of life. The programme revitalised many of the area’s monuments and cultural assets, such as the Khayer Bek Complex and the Um al-Sultan Shaaban Mosque, by restoring their structures, improving surrounding public spaces, and reintegrating them into the daily life of the community as active cultural and economic anchors. Residential use dominates the area, with the rehabilitation of 85 buildings and the enhancement of housing conditions for hundreds of families. These restored homes were designed to preserve architectural authenticity while incorporating essential amenities such as private bathrooms, improved kitchens, and access to safe water and sanitation. The programme strengthened the traditional mixed-use nature of the district by integrating institutional and public buildings into the rehabilitation effort. Notably, former historic buildings were repurposed into active community spaces such as the Darb al-Ahmar Community Centre, the Burg al-Zafar Youth Club and the Family Health Development Centre. These facilities offer health services, early childhood education, vocational training, and administrative support to local NGOs, helping to strengthen civil society and community self-management.

Commercial activities were also supported through physical infrastructure and financial mechanisms. Retail spaces were developed along key corridors like Burg al-Zafar Street, where new mixed-use wikala-type structures combine commercial storefronts with offices and residential units. Microcredit initiatives further catalysed the revival of small businesses, workshops, and artisanal production throughout the district, particularly in the Aslam neighbourhood. This economic vibrancy has been instrumental in reactivating the local market and anchoring employment opportunities within the community.

Open space and recreational land use were ensured through improvements to local squares and streetscapes, such as the pedestrianisation and landscaping of Burg al-Zafar Street and Aslam Square, which helped restore recreational and social functions to previously neglected public spaces. Overall, the land uses in the regenerated area of al-Darb al-Ahmar reflect a holistic planning strategy that respects the district’s historic nature while bringing together residential, institutional, commercial, and recreational functions into a cohesive and sustainable urban environment.

Benefits

The regeneration of al-Darb al-Ahmar has delivered substantial economic benefits by revitalising the local economy, stimulating employment, and fostering entrepreneurship. Central to these outcomes was the implementation of a comprehensive micro-credit programme, which empowered residents to renovate their homes and launch or expand small-scale enterprises across retail, crafts, and service sectors. The programme’s exceptionally high repayment rate of 99.6% over five years underscored not only the community’s engagement but also the programme’s financial sustainability. Furthermore, integrating vocational training and apprenticeship opportunities was crucial in upskilling the workforce. These initiatives, which included specialised training in carpentry, stone masonry, and traditional crafts, improved the marketability of local products and helped generate a new generation of skilled artisans. Investments in infrastructure and housing rehabilitation projects also directly channelled a significant portion of financial resources into the neighbourhood, creating more than 400 local jobs. This effect supported microenterprises and local contractors, enhancing the area’s economic vibrancy and attractiveness to further public and private investment. Despite facing rising costs and inflation in building materials, demand for the programme, for local craftsmen and contractors, remained significant. The programme also increased collaboration and willingness among owners (44%) and tenants (56%) to financially contribute to rehabilitation efforts. In a context of widespread poverty and informal employment, the programme laid the groundwork for sustained local economic development and reconnected the district to Cairo’s broader urban economy.

The environmental dimension of the al-Darb al-Ahmar regeneration was addressed through interventions that improved waste management, enhanced public health, and contributed to urban resilience. Prior to the intervention, one of the most visible challenges in the area was the uncontrolled accumulation of solid waste in streets and abandoned plots, which posed significant risks to public health and the built environment. To address this, a dedicated waste management component was developed in partnership with local service providers, establishing daily cleaning routes, waste collection systems, and neighbourhood awareness campaigns. These efforts were supported by community-led clean-up initiatives, which helped to instil a culture of shared environmental responsibility. Infrastructure upgrades further contributed to environmental improvements, particularly by restoring drainage systems and providing sanitation facilities, which reduced pollution and helped mitigate health hazards. These initiatives not only improved the visual and sanitary conditions of the district but also established a replicable model of environmental stewardship for other historic urban centres facing similar challenges.

Socially, the al-Darb al-Ahmar regeneration project profoundly improved community wellbeing, equity, and cohesion through a wide range of targeted interventions. Access to essential services, particularly in healthcare and education, was greatly expanded. The Family Health Development Centre was established as a local hub offering reproductive health services, general care, and outreach programmes targeting vulnerable populations such as the elderly and persons with disabilities. 

Education initiatives included early childhood development centres, vocational training for youth and adults, and literacy programmes for women, all contributing to building local capacity and increasing long-term prospects for upward mobility. The rehabilitation of public spaces such as Aslam Square and the conversion of a historic school building into a vibrant community centre in the Aslam neighbourhood provided inclusive spaces for cultural, educational, and recreational activities. 

This reactivation of the public realm played a key role in fostering social safety and re-establishing trust between residents and local institutions. At the heart of the housing rehabilitation programme was a strong emphasis on dignity and inclusion: improved hygienic conditions, enhanced ventilation and privacy, and secured tenure collectively ensured that residents remained in place and became active agents in the area’s transformation. Through its participatory planning process and long-term engagement with local NGOs, the project embedded social equity and inclusiveness principles, setting a precedent for people-centred urban regeneration across Egypt and beyond.

In 2008 UN-Habitat selected the project as a best practice for improving the living environment. 

Finance model

The Al-Darb Al-Ahmar Programme was developed under the Historic Cities Support Programme of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). By the end of 2004, over EGP 25 million (approximately USD 4 million) had been allocated for socio-economic rehabilitation in the area, with a strong focus on housing rehabilitation and the restoration of monuments. This funding came through public and private sources, including grants from the Egyptian-Swiss Development Fund, the Ford Foundation, the World Monuments Fund, and AKTC itself. Between 2005 and 2008, a broader rehabilitation phase was launched, supported by additional funding from the Social Fund for Development (SFD), the Canadian International Development Agency, the Ford Foundation, and continued contributions from AKTC, adding to the programme another EGP 5 million (USD 800,000). Together, these investments brought the total dedicated budget for the housing rehabilitation programme (HRP) to EGP 30 million (approximately USD 4,8 million), enabling both physical restoration and the delivery of essential community services. These figures do not include the investments made by individual homeowners and tenants within the micro-loan scheme.

The financing of the Al-Darb Al-Ahmar regeneration relied on diverse instruments tailored to support a holistic approach to urban renewal. The programme was primarilygrant-funded, combining public and philanthropic capital to initiate and sustain large-scale interventions.

Most notably, the project employed a community-based micro-loan system, developed in partnership with the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AKAM), which enabled residents to access affordable and flexible financing for housing rehabilitation. This tool was designed to reflect each household's income and repayment capacity, with customisable down payments and loan terms of up to six years. In parallel, the programme introduced a matching funds mechanism to gradually increase beneficiary co-financing, fostering shared investment in the built environment. Cost-sharing levels rose progressively, from as low as 8% at the outset to approximately 50% by 2009. The integration of these instruments allowed the programme to move beyond a top-down aid model, creating a replicable framework where public grants, household contributions, and microfinance converge to support long-term, community-led development.

References and Credits

Aga Khan Development Network (2001). The Azhar Park Project in Cairo and the conservation and revitalisation of Darb al-Ahmar. https://static.the.akdn/53832/1640331437-cairobrochure.pdf

Aga Khan Development Network. Historic cities: Leveraging culture to alleviate poverty. Accessed on: 08/04/2025. https://the.akdn/en/resources-media/whats-new/spotlights/historic-cities-leveraging-culture-alleviate-poverty

Aga Khan Development Network. Historic Cities Programme – Egypt. Accessed on 08/04/2025. https://the.akdn/en/where-we-work/middle-east/egypt/historic-cities-programme-egypt

Aga Khan Development Network (2024). 5 ways restoring cultural heritage drives economic growth. Accessed on: 08/04/2025. https://akdn.shorthandstories.com/5-ways-restoration-drives-economic-growth/

Aga Khan Trust for Culture (2005). Aga Khan creates new 30-hectare park in Historic Cairo (Media Advisory). Accessed on 08/04/2025. https://the.akdn/en/resources-media/whats-new/news-release/aga-khan-creates-new-30-hectare-park-historic-cairo-media-advisory

Aga Khan Trust for Culture Historic Cities Support Programme. 2010. Cairo: Urban Regeneration in the Darb al-Ahmar District: A Framework for Investment. Geneva: Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Accessed on 08/04/2025. https://www.archnet.org/publications/5452

Arab Urban Development Institute. Al-Azhar Park and the Revitalization of Darb al-Ahmar. Accessed on 08/04/2025. Projects – Arab Urban Development Institute

Japan International Cooperation Agency (2011). Data Collection Survey Mission on Slum and Informal Area Development in the Greater Cairo Region Final Report. Accessed on: 16/04/2025. https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12013439.pdf

Morbidoni, Michele (2010). "Cairo, Egypt: The al-Darb al-Ahmar Housing Rehabilitation Programme." Report by United Cities and Local Government (UCLG) on Social Inclusion, Participatory Democracy and Human Rights. Accessed on: 22/04/2025 https://www.uclg-cisdp.org/sites/default/files/Cairo_2010_en_FINAL.pdf

Shehayeb, Dina (2011) “Backtracking to sustainable urban development and working with local communities: the al-Darb al-Ahmar project in islamic Cairo”, Égypte/Monde arabe [Online], 8 | 2011, document 8, Online since 01 September 2012. Accessed on 22/04/2025. http://journals.openedition.org/ ema/3006

Siravo, F. "Urban Rehabilitation and Community Development in al-Darb al-Ahmar". 2004. Cairo: Revitalising a Historic Metropolis. (Stefano Bianca and Philip Jodidio, eds.) Turin: Umberto Allemandi & C. for Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 177-193.

Tadamun. Al-Darb al-Aḥmar Housing Rehabilitation Programme: Housing Rehabilitation beyond Physical Upgrading. Accessed on: 08/04/2025. http://www.tadamun.co/?post_type=initiative&p=8465&lang=en&lang=en

UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Historic Cairo - UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Accessed on 08/04/2025. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/89/