Cairo. Revitalising a Historic Metropolis, Edited by Stefano Bianca and Philip Jodidio, Turin: Umberto Allemandi and Co for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2004. pp253 The present volume is published on occasion of the inauguration of the Azhar Park, built with the support of the Aga Khan Foundation. The essays collected here offer a comprehensive outlook on the broad project which included turning the centuries old waste dump on Darrassa Hills into a park, unearthing and restoring massive segments of the Ayyubid wall of Cairo as well as initiating and supporting numerous projects to develop the surrounding neighbourhood of Al- Darb Al-Ahmar. In his preface His Highness the Aga Khan explains the philosophy behind the project; one which combines the conservation and restoration of monuments with the needs of the people whose lives are impacted by these buildings. The socio- economic community development projects initiated in the neighbourhood distinguish this conservation project from others carried out within historic Cairo in that they include the whole living fabric of the neighbourhood in question and do not alienate the people from their buildings. The book is divided into three parts appropriately titled Past, Present and Future, respectively. It places Al-Azhar and Al-Darb Al-Ahmar Projects within their broader historical, architectural and social contexts. Janet Abu-Lughod and Jim Antoniou both offer historic readings of the city; Abu-Lughod focusses on the growth and development of the city especially its pre-modern and early modern history while Antoniou zooms in on the urban growth of the past half century and its effects on the historic neighbourhoods. Nasser Rabbat provides a brief history of green spaces and parks of the city; an aspect of historical topography often ignored with the focus on standing monuments. Seif El-Rashidi focusses on the history of the neighbourhood of Al-Darb Al-Ahmar itself. The articles in the second section of the city offer an insight into the comprehensive approach underlying the whole project. Thus while Stefano Bianca offers an overview of the philosophy and approach the project followed, Cameron Rashti explains the ideas and plans behind the park and its facilities, Francesco Siravo and Frank Matero discuss the restoration of the Ayyubid wall and Siravo highlights the socio-economic projects carried out among the community of Al- Darb Al-Ahmar. The articles in the final section, by Robert Ivy, Nairy Hampikian, Nawal El-Messiri and Philip Jodidio, place Al-Azhar project within its contemporary context commenting on the architectural design of the new park, the crucial juncture at which Cairo's historic sites find themselves and the changing public perception of public gardens. The importance of this volume lies well beyond the scope of Al-Azhar Park and Al-Darb Al-Ahmar restoration project. The project itself offers a case study for how conservation and restoration could potentially take place. Furthermore, the essays collected here make quite a fulfilling read for anyone interested in Cairo -- its history and its future. They argue that heritage is not only about the old buildings of a city, but, perhaps more importantly, about its people.
