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Ministry of Culture

National Organization for Urban Harmony (NOUH)

International Competition for the Urban Designand Harmony and Historic Conservation of

Opera and Ataba Squares, Cairo, Egypt

PO Box 55 - Citadel – Postal Code 11411- Cairo - EgyptTel.: 00202 25145481 / 2 Mob:+2 0111303490 Fax: 00202 25145552e-mail: [email protected] website : www.urbanharmony.org

mailto:opera-ataba:@urbanharmony.org




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CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CONTEXT AND SETTING2.1. Historic background2.2. Current conditions2.3. Problems of competition area2.4. Traffic and transportation

3. COMPETITION AIMS AND SCOPE OF WORK3.1 Aims3.2. Scope of Work

4. LIST OF DOCUMENTS PROVIDED BY NOUH

5. COMPETITION STAGES AND DELIVERABLES

5.1. Competition Stages5.2. Deliverables

6. ANONYMITY

7. COMPETITION PROCEDURES7.1 Schedule7.2 Registration procedures7.3 Entry fees7.4 Organization7.5 Inquiries

7.6 Submission of competition documents

8. THE JURY8.1 Jury Members8.2 Jury Responsibilities8.3 Jury Procedures8.4 Evaluation Criteria8.5 Disqualification Conditions

9. PRIZES9.1 Value of Prizes9.2 Announcement of Results

9.3 Prize Award

10. COMPETITION LANGUAGE

11. POST COMPETITION PROCEDURES11.1. Public Exhibition11.2. Return of Projects11.3. Commission of Awarded Project

12. LEGAL ISSUES12.1. Insurance of received documents12.2. Copyright and right of ownership12.3. Decisions of the Jury12.4. Legal Dispute



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1. INTRODUCTION

The Ministry of Culture has recently embarked on a variety of endeavorsaiming at restoring the historic urban value of Khedivial Cairo. This areaconstitutes the original CBD, and is characterized by its distinctivearchitectural features and urban pattern. The National Organization forUrban Harmony (NOUH), a subordinate organization of the Ministry ofCulture, is taking the lead and responsibility for the management of suchconservation efforts (according to the Law no.119 of the year 2008).

Commissioned by the Egyptian Prime Minister, NOUH has recentlycommenced a series of efforts for the urban design and harmonization ofmajor CBD squares and roads within a comprehensive vision for the citycenter.

Following up on these efforts, NOUH is currently tendering its internationalcompetition for the Urban Design and Harmony and the Historic Conservation of Opera and Ataba Squares.

2. CONTEXT AND SETTING

2.1. Historic Background

On the occasion of the opening of the Suez Canal in the 19th C., KhediveIsmail prepared a regal celebration to which he invited the royalty andnobility of Europe. This obviously necessitated careful pre-planningseveral years before its destined inaugural date. Amongst thesepreparations was the design and construction of an Opera House in one ofthe main squares of the newly planned 19th C. Khedivial Cairo, inspiredby Haussmann’s work in Paris. Ever since that time, the square has beennamed and known as Opera Square (Figs.1-4).

The Khedivial Opera House saw the continuation of its function fordecades as a venue for international and local operas, ballets, as well asmusical soirees which were composed, orchestrated and played by worldfamous artists. The construction of the Opera House was alsoaccompanied by building numerous edifices in its environs that carried19th C. revivalist and eclectic features characterizing the period - most ofwhich are today listed heritage buildings due to their high architectural andaesthetic value.



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The adjoining Ataba square existed before Opera square. During KhediveIsmail’s rule, its environs were re-planned and designed. As anintersection of many main thoroughfares, it came to be considered as the“heart” of Cairo (Fig. 5). As with the Opera Square, many important high-value heritage buildings form the boundaries of this square till our presentday. These include a Fruit and Vegetable Market, several hotels,department stores as well as the Fire Brigade building. Also noteworthy, isthe main Ataba Post Office building, which besides occupying a prominent

position of the square, is considered the datum point from which all traveldistances are measured.

To complete the image of the then new 19th C. Cairo, a large expanse ofland between Opera and Ataba Squares was designated for theAzbakiyya Garden, a public, recreational and cultural park. It boastedponds and lakes with artificial grottos, music kiosks, promenades andseveral species of indigenous and non-indigenous trees and shrubs (Figs.6-8). A second hand and antiquarian book market also grew along thefence of Azbakiyya, adding a further dimension to its multi-functional

nature.

Fig. (1) The exterior of theOpera House - 1869

Fig. (4) The Opera House and partof Opera Square- 1932

Fig. (3) Continental hotel (Opera

Square)-1914

Fig. (2) Opera Square-1911



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In 1971, the timber and steel constructed Opera House of Opera Squarecaught fire resulting in its total destruction, and with the passage of time,many important heritage buildings fell into disrepair, while others weredemolished, and the Opera site itself became occupied by a multi storeygarage. Moreover, an ugly elevated road was constructed cutting throughal-Ataba Square’s skyline and encroaching on al-Azhar Street in the heart

of the Historic Fatimid city and greatly degrading the area. AzbakiyyaGarden was not more fortunate, it was first bisected by a road, then partsof it were demolished, trees cut off, and slowly new buildings with newfunctions came to occupy parts of it such as the National Theatre andMarionette Theatre to name but a few. The result today, is aninhomogeneous unharmonious remnant of what was once the pride and

joy of Khedive Ismail’s vision of a glorious “Paris of the East.”

Fig. (5) Ataba Square - 1845 Fig. (6) Azbakiyya Garden - 1870

Fig. (7) Azbakiyya Garden - 1870 Fig. (8) Azbakiyya Garden -1896



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2.2. Current ConditionsOpera and Ataba squares together, form one of the three maintransportation hubs in Cairo’s CBD, the others being Tahrir and Ramsessquares. They link the commercial and business district of Khedivial Cairoto a group of wholesale specialized markets surrounding Ataba Square,and traditional markets in el-Azhar district. The two squares, originally amajor cultural and recreational node, are currently separated by the Operamultistory garage built on the original site of the Khedivial Opera House asmentioned earlier. The surrounding area is characterized by a diversemixture of land uses, commercial activities, and a number of historicbuildings. To the North, lies the historic Azbakiyya Garden, which is nowencroached upon by several buildings including three theatres, an on-street second hand book market, a multistory garage and bus terminal(the Ataba Garage), several office and commercial buildings, and amedical centre. The southern and eastern edges of the two squares arelined by a number of administrative buildings, a shopping mall and acinema, in addition to a large historic fruit and vegetable market. To thewest and south west of Opera Square, lies a number of mixed use(commercial-office-residential) and heritage buildings the most importantof which are Parliament Hotel and the Ottoman dating al-Kekhia Mosque(on el-Gomhoureya and Kasr el-Nile Streets). On the northern al-Khazendar Square lies two major historic buildings; Sednaoui departmentstore and Eden Palace Hotel (Figs.9-16)

.

Fig. (9) Ataba Square today Fig.(10) Opera Square today



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Fig. (11) The Post Office building (underrenovation)- Atabaٍ Square

Fig. (12) The 19t C. Fire Brigadebuilding - Ataba Square

Fig. (16) Sednaoui department store -al Khazendar Square

Fig. (13) Tiring building - Ataba Square Fig. (14) Parliament Hotel - Ataba Square

Fig. (15) Continental Hotel - OperaSquare



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Some of the main roads leading to the squares are characterized byspecialized retail and wholesale market activities. The south-easternapproach to Ataba Square (Mohamed Aly Road), is a market for musicalinstruments and leather products. Nearby el-Azhar elevated road andstreet, link the area to Khan al Khalili Bazaar, the traditional craft, jewelryand spice markets, and to other wholesale markets for textiles andfurniture. Further south is Abd el-Aziz Street, a major electrical appliancesmarket, as well as el-Ashmawy area for electric hardware and fixtures.North and north-east of Ataba Square, lies a number of wholesalemarkets, mainly el-Mousky textile market, el-Rowaei market for hardwareand tools, the paper market, and Darb el-Barabra market for traditionaldecorations and traditional celebration accessories.

The western approaches to Opera Square, namely Kasr el-Nile, Abd el -Khaleq Tharwat, Adly, and 26 th of July Streets, are among the mostimportant and lively service and commercial spines in downtown Cairo(Figs.17-19).

.

Fig. (17) Competition context: Surrounding roads, tunnelsand elevated roads

Azhar tunnel

Azhar bridge

Opera

Square

Ataba

Square



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2.3. Problems of competition area

From the above, it is clear that the competition context, a vital area inCairo’s central business district, suffers from several problems; these aremanifested as follows:

a- severe vehicular and pedestrian traffic congestion and conflictbetween them;

b- lack of adequate parking spaces;

c- lack of green and open pedestrian spaces;

d- violation and encroachment of elevated roads (such as al-Azharelevated road) on main spaces and historic districts;

e- demolishing and deterioration of several heritage buildings;

f- decline of the architectural and urban identity of the area;

g- sprawl of Informal activities and land uses;

h- noise and visual pollution (Figs.20-26)

Fig. (18) Ataba Square today (fromroad level)

Fig. (19) Ataba Square today (fromelevated road)



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Fig.( 21) Informal mixture of uses and activities - Ataba square

Fig. (22) Street vendors encroaching on pedestrian sidewalks

Fig. (20) Informal markets- off Ataba Square



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Fig. (24) Vehicular and pedestrian trafficcongestion and conflict

Fig. (23) Lack of parking spaces

Fig. (25) Decline of urban identity and sprawl of informal activities

Fig. (26) Encroachment of elevated roads on main spaces



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2.4. Traffic and Transportation

Opera and Ataba squares are two adjacent major road intersection areasin Cairo’s CBD. The Western approaches to Opera square, the one-direction Kasr el-Nile and Abd el-Khaleq Tharwat Streets, are among themost important and lively commercial spines in downtown Cairo. Al-AzharTunnel (constructed 2001), is a major through traffic spine to and fromOpera square and Cairo’s CBD.

In addition to this road network, other types of transportation include;· The 2nd underground metro line from Shoubra al-Khayma to Ramses,

Ataba and Tahrir Squares, up to Cairo University and Giza suburbs.· The 3rd underground metro line extending from the east (at Cairo

International Airport) towards the west (at Giza: Imbaba and Boulak al-

Dakrour). This line is still under construction and is expected to beoperational by 2012. Thus, Ataba Station will be a major interchangestation between underground metro lines 2 and 3.

· Two multi-storey parking garages; Opera Garage (1150 parkingspaces) and Ataba Garage (650 parking spaces). The two garagesalso contain administrative and commercial activities as previouslymentioned.

· A major public bus transport terminal located in the ground floor ofAtaba Garage, serving about 30 lines of buses and mini-buses.Another bus terminal at Azbakiyya Garden serves 10 lines. It should

be noted that micro-buses use street sides randomly for loading andunloading passengers.

3. COMPETITION AIMS AND SCOPE OF WORK

3.1. Aims

The competition aims are:a- Restoration of the cultural\heritage values of the historic Opera site

and Azbakiyya Garden.b- Recalling the distinguished cultural symbolization of the competitionarea, once conveyed by the demolished Khedivial Opera House.

c- Harmony and distinction of each of the two urban squares.d- Alleviation of the urban problems.e- Solving traffic problems and minimizing through traffic.f- Provision for adequate underground parking spaces and

demolishing the current multistory opera garage.d- Provision of green spaces as well as pedestrian plazas.e- Solving problems of the inadequate degrading uses such as street

vendors.



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3.2. Scope of Worka- Competitors should conduct urban studies for the impact zone todetermine planning influences on the competition site, taking intoconsideration that the competition area is:

- a part of Cairo CBD,- located between two listed heritage areas; Historic Fatimid

Cairo to the East, and Khedivial Cairo to the West,- a meeting point for major traffic routes.

b- A proposal for land uses and activities for new and existingbuildings and spaces, comprising solutions for the problem of squattermarkets.

c- Traffic proposal to alleviate existing and expected problems, and toprovide ample parking and pedestrian spaces.

d- Urban design of the competition site ( Opera and Ataba squaresand Azbakiyya Garden), after demolishing the existing Opera multi-storey garage and its accompanying commercial and administrativebuilding. Special attention should be given to major landmarks andlisted buildings with the aim of reclaiming their architectural, culturaland heritage values.

4. LIST OF DOCUMENTS PROVIDED BY NOUH

· Terms of reference (T.O.R) could be downloaded from NOUH’swebsite; www.urbanharmony.org

● A DVD will be provided to all participants including:

- A recent film.- Historic and recent photos.- Database for current conditions (GIS and AutoCAD formats).

- Winning project (first prize) of the international competition for thedevelopment of Khedivial Cairo (CBD) - announced in May 2010.

5. COMPETITION STAGES AND DELIVERABLES

5.1. Competition Stages

The competition will be accomplished in two stages:

·

The First Stage is the conceptual design for the competition arealeading to the selection of at least 5 finalists to proceed to the Secondstage.

http://www.urbanharmony.org/




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· The Second Stage is the development of the conceptual design, andwill be restricted to the selected finalists from the First Stage.

5.2. Deliverables

Stage 1: Conceptual Design

· Four A1-size sheets fixed on light weight boards (foam) including thefollowing:

a- Urban studies to identify planning impacts.b- Proposed design concept (scale 1:2000) and necessary

illustrations· CD including the above mentioned studies.· A sealed opaque envelope, marked with the identification code

selected by the competitor, containing:- Entrant and team Identification.- A statement clarifying that the entrant accepts the decision of the jury

and competition regulations.

Stage 2: Developed Design

· Six A0-size sheets fixed on light weight boards (foam) including thefollowing:a- Developed Design (scale 1:1000).b- Illustrations and perspectives.

· A Technical Report (30-40) A3 pages.· CD including the above mentioned studies and boards.· CD or DVD including a presentation.· An architectural model (scale 1:1000).· A sealed opaque envelope, marked with a new identification code to

be selected by the competitor, containing:- Entrant and team Identification.- A statement clarifying that the entrant accepts the decision of the juryand competition regulations.

It should be noted that the entrant must not write any names of individualsor organizations and should not indicate by any means his personality onany of the final submittals. The only identification to appear on each piecesubmitted is the alphanumeric identification code chosen by thecompetitor.



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6. ANONYMITY

Competition entries are to be presented anonymously. All documentssubmitted in the First Stage will be identified exclusively by analphanumeric identification code chosen by the competitor, consisting of afour-digit number followed by two English letters. This identification code,1 cm high, will be placed at the upper right hand corner, at the back of allboards and CD submitted, and inside the sealed identification envelope. Inthe Second Stage, the chosen finalists from the First Stage will berequired to choose a new identification code, consisting of four differentletters (1 cm high) and place it on the back of all boards, CD, model,report cover and inside the sealed identification envelope. In the twostages, no other identification will appear on boards or accompanyingdocuments.

In both stages, the identification code will be recorded and masked by asecret code. The sealed identification envelopes accompanying entrieswill be kept with a notary until the Jury has made its final decision.Anonymity will then be lifted.

7. COMPETITION PROCEDURES

7.1. Schedule

Announcement of the competition and beginning ofregistration 12 June 2010

Final date for receiving the registration form and thebank statement of payment for the competition feeand beginning of inquiries

10 July 2010

Stage 1:

Final date for inquires 31 July 2010

Final date for answers to inquiries 15 August 2010

Final date for delivery of competition documents, inperson or by special courier (DHL, Fedex,or similar)at competitors’ own expense and responsibility

17 October 2010

Final date for receiving entries sent by specialcourrier

31 October 2010

Notification of the finalists 18 November 2010

n.b. Contestants sending their work by courier should send a stamped

dated receipt to the Competition Secretariat to ensure they have met thecompetition deadline.



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Stage 2:

Final date for delivery of competition documents, inperson or by special courier (DHL, Fedex, or

similar) at finalists’ own expense and responsibility

6 February 2011

Final date for receiving entries sent by specialcourrier

17 February 2011

Announcement of final result 27 February 2011

n.b. Contestants sending their work by courier should send a stampeddated receipt to the Competition Secretariat to ensure they have met thecompetition deadline.

7.2. Registration Procedures

Registration form should be filled up electronically and sent to competitionsecretary (www.urbanharmony.org)

It should be attached with;

a- A scanned copy of license / certificate of membership in a professionalassociation proving the individual competitor's or team representative'sright to practice the profession of architecture in his/her country ofresidence.

b- A scanned copy of the bank transfer showing that the registration feehas been paid. The name on the bank transfer must be the same asthat appearing on the registration form.

7.3. Entry fees

An amount of US$ 500 (five hundred US Dollars) must be paid as anirretrievable fee to NOUH. Payment w ill be made by either:

· A bank transfer to:

Bank name : Central Bank of Egypt- Cairo-EgyptSwift Bank Code : CBEGEGCXXXXBeneficiary Name: National Organization

for Urban HarmonyA/C Beneficiary :40 82 18 04 36

· An accepted payable check to the National Organization for UrbanHarmony (NOUH).

Affiliated bank charges will be paid by the competitor.





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7.4. Organization

· Competition SecretaryNOUH forms a Secretariat, under the supervision of a Professionaland Technical Advisor, whose duties are as follows:a. Receiving all correspondence, inquiries and entries.b. Submitting all correspondence, inquiries and entries to the technical

committee.c. Sending the required documents and replies to entrants.d. Ensuring the implementation of the competition schedule.

· Technical CommitteeNOUH forms a technical committee. The Committee's duties are asfollows:

a. Responding to entrants' questions and inquiries.b. Reviewing the submitted entries and ensuring the fulfillment of themandatory requirements for the competition (T.O.R).

c. Ensuring anonymity of the competitors' identities.d. Helping the Jury without interfering with their duties.

7.5. Inquiries

All correspondence and inquiries relevant to the competition should be

through the technical committee via the National Organization for UrbanHarmony (NOUH) using the following means of communication:

E-mail: [email protected]: (+202)25145552

National Organization for Urban Harmony Website:www.urbanharmony.org

All queries received within the deadlines indicated in 7.1 will be answered

in the form of circular letters that will be addressed to all participants. Theanswers to these queries will then be considered an integral part of theTOR and will also be sent to Jury members.

7.6. Submission of competition Documents

Entries will be sent to the following address:

Opera and Ataba squares Competition – National Organization for UrbanHarmony – Saladin Citadel – Salah Salem Road – Cairo – Egypt.







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Correspondence by mail:P.O.Box: 55 Saladin Citadel – Postal code 11411- Cairo, EgyptTel.: (+202) 251 45481 – 251 45482Fax: (+202) 251 45552 Mob: (+2) 011 130 34 90E-mail: [email protected]

It should be noted that packages sent from foreign countries must bepacked in a way so as to facilitate customs inspection, when required.When dispatching their entries, participants should pay customs fees andensure that the amount paid will not impede rapid arrival of deliverables.Competitors must ensure that the date of dispatch is clearly visible on thepackage.

Competitors, who hand-in their entries in person, will be provided with areceipt by the competition secretariat.

8. THE JURY

8.1. Jury board- Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Yousry (Jury board chair)- Prof. Dr. Aly Gabr- Prof. Dr. Rashad al Meteiny- Prof. Dr. Nezar al Sayyad- Prof. Dr. Hasanuddin Khan- Chair of the National Organization for Urban Harmony (NOUH)- Chair of the General Organization for Physical Planning (GOPP)- Prof. Dr. Soheir Zaky Hawas (Substitute jury member)

8.2. Jury responsibilities

· Allowing for two weeks for courier delivery prior to the beginning ofdeliberation.

· Evaluation of the entries submitted by the competitors.· Issuing a Jury Evaluation Result Report.

8.3. Jury Procedures

At the opening session, all jury members shall declare in writing that theyhave no knowledge of, nor have been involved in any of the entries priorto the meeting. Should a juror have knowledge of an entry, he/she willabstain from voting.

8.4. Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation criteria comprise:· Design creativity and innovation.





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· Conceptual clarity, feasibility and effectiveness.· Efficiency in alleviating urban and traffic problems.· Contribution of the project in enhancing the cultural and heritage

values of the surrounding area.·

Logic of analysis and methodology used to reach the proposals.

8.5. Disqualification Conditions

Disqualification conditions include;· Reception of entries after the deadline date.· Non fulfillment of the terms of reference.· Any indication on the drawings that might reveal the entrant's identity.· Attempting to influence the Jury members' decision.

9. PRIZES

9.1. Value of Prizes

In Stage 1, there will be no prizes. At least five projects will be selected todevelop their proposals in Stage 2.

Prizes in Stage 2 are as follows:

First prize one hundred thousand US$ (100,000)Second prize seventy thousand US$ ( 70,000)Third prize for ty thousand US ( 40,000)Merit awards twenty thousand US$ ( 20,000)

for each of the remaining accepted entries

9.2. Announcement of Results

· When the Jury has reached its final decision, it will proceed with

opening the sealed envelopes to identify the winners.· The competition final results will be announced and published on the

website of NOUH immediately after being signed by the Jury.

9.3. Prize Award

NOUH undertakes to accept the decisions of the jury and to pay the prizemoney within one month of the announcement of the competition results.

10. COMPETION LANGUAGECompetition language is English language only.



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11. POST-COMPETITION PROCEDURES

11.1. Public exhibition

A public exhibition will be held out for all entries after declaration of finalcompetition results.

11.2. Return of projects

Competitors who have not received prizes can retrieve their projects attheir own expense after the exhibition. Projects, that have not beenretrieved, will be destroyed after one month from the end of the exhibition.

11.3. Commission of Awarded Project

The concerned party / parties in Egypt can contract with the first winner tocarry out the construction documents of his/her project, maintaining thetechnical recommendations set by the Jury.

12. LEGAL ISSUES

12.1. Insurance of received documents

NOUH insures competitors’ designs from the time it receives the entriesand for the duration of competition.

12.2. Copyright and Right of Ownership

· The author of an entry shall retain the copyright of his work.· NOUH reserves the right to publish all entries in the two stages.· After the announcement of the competition result, all projects,

including those disqualified by the Jury, sha ll be publicly exhibited.

12.3. Decisions of the Jury

The decisions of the Jury are irrevocable and incontestable.

12.4. Legal Dispute

Any legal dispute concerning this competition can solely be resolved bythe State Council Court in Egypt.

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