foster + partners wins competition to rejuvenate cairo's maspero triangle district

it has been announced that international practice foster and partners has won a competition to rejuvenate downtown cairo with their maspero triangle district masterplan. the scheme is based on the banks of the river nile that is currently characterized by its informal settlements all within a dense urban fabric.

the vast masterplan sees commercial and residential spaces occupying the river edge and main street frontages, while mixed-use buildings and open community spaces to be based in the more private, central core of the scheme. this strategy allows the existing population of the district to maintain its overlapping spatial live-work relationships while new office and retail opportunities on the edges of the site create employment opportunities for the entire city of cairo.

the vast scheme will be a combination of public initiative and private investment
all images courtesy of foster + partners

the public realm will be a main focus in the project, and in addition to the green areas throughout the settlement, a central open space has been created at the heart of the neighborhood for community events and celebrations. this part links directly to the food market, serving visitors and locals alike, which in turn leads to the retail spine and the hospital at the northern corner of the site. in terms of accessibility, the settlement prioritizes pedestrian traffic with its narrow, shaded streets, while establishing a footbridge across the river to the exclusive neighbourhood of zamalekt.

grant brooker, senior executive partner at foster + partners comments: ‘we are delighted to have won the masterplan design competition for the maspero triangle district. we believe this is an exciting opportunity to transform the lives of the people that live in this neighborhood – supporting the vibrant public realm by giving them greener community spaces, and a better place to live and work, while creating new spaces for offices, retail and residences. on the banks of the river nile, the future of maspero burns bright, and we are sure our sustainable model of development will set the benchmark for urban regeneration throughout the country.’

model of the masterplan