Confronting
the demolition of Alexandria’s historical building is a multi-layered task,
argues prominent architect and founder of the Alexandria Preservation Trust
Mohamed Awad. Written By/ Dina Ezzat.
A
beautiful four-floor early 20th century apartment building is being knocked down
on Fouad Street at the heart of Alexandria, much to the consternation of
inhabitants who have lived through what was arguably the city’s belle époque.
Another
apartment building overlooking the corniche of Alexandria, in El-Shatby
neighbourhood, has also been evacuated in anticipation of a demolition that
architectural heritage preservation activists are campaigning against on social
media.
“I
am not sure if the campaign will succeed,” lamented Mohamed Awad, the prominent
architect who has dedicated years to the preservation and documentation of the
architectural heritage of Alexandria’s city centre.
Awad
told Ahram Online that the problem is that neither building had ever been put
on the list of historic buildings that he helped compose during his days as the
head of the Alexandria Preservation Trust (APT).
The
list includes 1,135 buildings – 33 of which have exquisite architectural
decoration – 63 zones, and 38 streets. Fouad Street, at the very heart of the
city centre, is obviously on the list.
However,
in the technical sense, preserving a historic street would not necessarily
involve a prohibition on knocking down all its old buildings – especially if
the owners of the building manage to provide municipal authorities with a valid
reason for the demolition.
According
to Awad, this reason could be a technical argument, such as fears about the
building's possible collapse, or just a "sufficiently convincing
argument" that the owner needs to replace a four-floor building that has
two apartments on each floor with a higher structure that can accommodate more
apartments.
Since
he started his work as head of the APT over 40 years ago, Awad has seen the
demolition of numerous historic buildings in Alexandria, notable for their
architectural value, the events they witnessed or the inhabitants they had
accommodated.
Awad
particularly laments the demolition of Villa Aghion in 2014. The villa was
constructed in the early 1920s by prominent French architect Auguste Perret,
“whose gems in France are protected by UNESCO.”
Awad
also grieves over the fate of the Villa Cicurel, which was demolished in 2015
and carried the name of one of the most prominent Jewish families of early 20th
century Egypt, who owned an elegant department store chain. The villa was
constructed in the early 1930s by two prominent French architects; Leon Azema
and Jacques Hardy.
“These
are just two examples, but we have seen other historic buildings demolished
despite being included on the preservation list and despite elementary court
rulings [against the demolition],” Awad said..... READ MORE.