There is a matrix for every organized place, even diversity has a matrix, writes Aly Raafat* Carpets, Chinese or Iranian, have different matrixes. Cotton carpets are different from silk ones. A flower or fruit garden has a different matrix than cloth. Each matrix has parallel or intersecting lines in two or three or more directions. A matrix can be of vertical lines as in matrix of flowers or trees or planting crops. It can be a matrix of dots or slots or geometric shapes, or circles or triangles. Even human beings walking in a parade as soldiers or students each has a matrix of its own. On an urban scale the unit of a matrix can be a villa or a walk up building or towers. The matrix can be in constant, upward or downward, or irregular rhythm in thickness, height, spacing, color, texture or unit. It can be complex with several matrixes mixed together making it one general complex matrix. In any case the intention of the designer of the matrix whether steady or diversified should be comprehended by the viewer. Otherwise the result can be hazardous. In old Cairo, the matrix was perfectly homogeneous. Narrow broken traffic streets with an important building on each break, be it a mosque, sabil, or madrassa. Such streets were lined by shops with residences above and interrupted by squares where the main mosque or important palaces stood on each of its sides ( eg. Bein ElQasrain). From these streets, branched narrow harras lined by houses and Rabaa's (group of houses around a court). Lots had broken irregular, lines, and geometric inner courts. They also branched into covered souks. All these matrixes were homogenous, functional and sensible for carriages and donkeys as main means of transportation. They have , of course, been spoiled by motor traffic emitting gases in the faces of passersby on the sidewalks. Shops have been extended to the streets thus increasing traffic jams. In case of destruction of some of these units, they are being replaced by catastrophic new buildings spoiling the matrix in height, construction, color and age. Just one building out of the matrix destroys the whole harmony of the place. This is what happened all over old Fatimid Cairo. It can be stopped by declaring whole districts under law 144, 2006 as national heritage. It should be kept and maintained as it is. Any building that is demolished because of its bad condition of unit should be replaced by one with the same old elevation, height and materials. New Cairo started with the French expedition (1798- 1801) which demolished old harras around Azbakia Lake (which was transformed to become a Garden). Straight wide roads were started to connect Azbakia with Boulaq (26th July street). Mohamed Ali started a road connecting Azbakia to the Citadel (Kalaa). Another road was constructed from Azbakia to Azhar (El-Seka El-Gadida). Planning was started for a new district between Azbakia and the Nile. This was executed with a western matrix completely different from that of the east. Straight wide streets intersected in circular squares with high buildings on both sides with very strict building regulations for form and content. Even the cost of building was restricted to above E.P 2000, which was much at that time. This secured a matrix of western urban design with streets anticipating the future multifaceted means of transportation, unknown at that time. The result, during Khedive Isma'il and Tawfik's rule was the most homogenous and rich collection of buildings at a time of western eclecticism. The building groups came out as a collection of different western styles (New Baroque, High Victorian, Romanesque, Art Nouveau, and later Art Deco) all mixed with Islamic details that went along western eclectic tendencies of the turn of 19th century. All buildings were of the same heights, richness, materials and details in balconies, entrances toppings in cones or domes ... etc. Since then we have witnessed catastrophic interference with this matrix. Towers started to appear, and modern buildings, with glass curtain walls and matchboxes with strip balconies replaced those with fer forge' and decorated stone parapets. We now find shapes with different colors, displays with large protruding signage, side walks completely interrupted by street peddlers and beggars, with no place for pedestrians. Cars are lined on both sides in pairs. Signage for doctors, tailors, and companies occupy the whole elevations in a very confusing matrix. Heritage Committees have to get to work as fast as possible in declaring untouched homogeneous street matrixes as urban heritage. All interferences with the original matrix should be removed by force of law. Special building codes should be declared for such urban heritage districts. Committees should be sure that these codes are imposed on old existing building and in new ones that replace any possible future demolitions. In Europe old elevations are preserved untouched while the whole buildings behind are either repaired or demolished. Maadi, Helwan, Garden City, Zamalek, Helmeia and Abbasiya all have special early 20c matrixes that should be preserved. For example, Maadi is famous for its villas matrix, Garden City for its winding streets with Art Deco four story apartment buildings, etc... . They all have a richness in handcrafts, materials and decorative historical forms. They are now under destruction by greedy unappreciative investors. Preservation of urban heritage should have teeth to stop spoiling our urban matrixes. * The writer is the former Head of the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University
