By Seheir Kansouh-Habib Witnessing Barack Hussein Obama's ascension to the highest position in the world cannot but revive the hope that change is possible. Reclaiming the deteriorating conditions of the Egyptian street would seem to be a far lesser ambition than for Americans to realize their dream. However, considering the state we are in, this may prove to be a much more difficult task. But we are not losing hope. To reclaim the street requires that the entire Egyptian society assumes its long lost civil responsibility. It requires a firm political commitment, a return to the respect for rule of law, and a serious societal movement to take back the street and return it to what it was once: clean, green, orderly, easy on the eye, easy on the lungs, easy on the foot. It needs to be civilized, dignified, communal and secure. Given that the street is but an image of society, changing it requires the colossal task of changing bad social habits and the now ingrained "laissez-aller" attitude. Regrettably, these have become the accumulated traits of the majority of populous Egypt over the last few decades. We will not discuss the reasons for what seems to be an obvious condition of apathy among the many, or despair among the not so few Egyptians who continue to try hard to have their voice heard or their work completed. In this issue we look through the lens of veterans and youth alike to zoom in on some realistic impressions of the Egyptian street and its inhabitants; yes the street's inhabitants, since growing numbers of children have taken it up as residence! We can no longer afford further deterioration of our street, or even its status quo! There are policies in the making with serious implications on the quality of life of millions of people. A case in point is the current debate around the use of the 209 acres previously occupied by the Embaba Airport amidst one of the five worst slum areas in the world. What we demand is the adoption of a universal holistic urban concept with its multiple socio- cultural, economic and technical dimensions, and that the people's right to know is respected before a final decision is taken. A plausible alternative is presented in this issue of Beyond for consideration by policy makers. The Street, however, is an open ended subject as we see it reflects the history, the culture, the mood and the progress of the nation. It would take more than one issue to cover such multiple facets. We, Beyond's Editorial Board, are very conscious of that and will endeavour in future issues to focus on one aspect at a time.
