Decoding new Cairo urban grid patterns and comparative analysis in cellular cities

This thesis decodes the urban structure of New Cairo, tracing its origins and development through the lens of urban grid evolution. It explores the historical progression of grid planning, discussing key concepts such as street patterns, cellular cities, and Le Corbusier›s circulation system. By exa...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autor: Sherif Saber, Ahmed
Formato: tesis de maestría
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Recursos:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/417368
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/417368
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:City planning -- Egypt -- Cairo
Public housing -- Egypt -- Cairo
Le Corbusier, 1887-1965 -- Criticism and interpretation
New Cairo
Urban Grid
Urban Planning
Grid Hierarchy
Centrality Analysis
Gated Communities
Spatial Structure
Cellular Cities
Street Patterns
Le Corbusier 7Vs
Urbanisme -- Egipte -- Caire
Habitatge públic -- Egipte -- Caire
Le Corbusier, 1887-1965 -- Crítica i interpretació
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Urbanisme::Ordenació del territori
Descrição
Resumo:This thesis decodes the urban structure of New Cairo, tracing its origins and development through the lens of urban grid evolution. It explores the historical progression of grid planning, discussing key concepts such as street patterns, cellular cities, and Le Corbusier›s circulation system. By examining these foundational principles, the study sets the stage for understanding how New Cairo›s urban design evolved as an extension city to alleviate the overcrowding of central Cairo. Originally planned as a social and middle-class housing project, New Cairo has, over time, transformed into a hierarchical, car-oriented grid dominated by gated communities. This shift has fragmented the grid, rendering it less efficient and resembling a modernized, labyrinthine version of Old Islamic Cairo, where privacy and controlled access were key elements of the street network. The thesis analyses New Cairo’s grid structure using five critical parameters: grid segment length, grid hierarchy, block sizes, grid intersections, and closeness centrality. These parameters help to uncover the underlying organization of the city and its impact on accessibility and connectivity. The study also includes a comparative analysis with four prominent cellular cities—Milton Keynes, Abu Dhabi, Brasilia, and Chandigarh—to assess the efficiency and center of gravity in each city›s grid. Finally, this thesis reflects on the urban structure of New Cairo, and delineates some design guidelines for the future of the city, such as opening the grid, removing boundaries that restrict movement, and enhancing pedestrian friendly environments. Through this analysis, the research aims to foster a more connected and sustainable urban landscape for New Cairo.