January 1, 2025

Prime Minister inspects Al Azbakeya Garden Revitalization Project

Madbouly: The project is part of the state's efforts to restore the cultural splendor of Cairo's various historical areas. El Sherbiny: The development includes restoring the architectural and heritage value of the historical buildings in the garden and returning it as a breathing space and garden for Cairo residents. Adopting a model for a unified kiosk that will be implemented on the outer fence of the garden to accommodate the currently existing licensed book kiosks. At the end of his tour, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly - Prime Minister, Eng. Sherif El Sherbiny - Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, and their companions inspected Al Azbakeya Garden Revitalization Project in Cairo Governorate, in the presence of Dr. Ibrahim Saber - Cairo Governor, Dr. Maher Stino - Project Consultant, officials from the Ministry of Housing, Eng. Mohamed Elwi - Executive Board Member of the Arab Contractors Company, and Eng. Khaled Rayan – Manager of the Distinguished Buildings Department. At the beginning of his inspection, the Prime Minister stressed that this project aims to revive this archeological garden, as part of the state's efforts to restore the cultural splendor of many of Cairo's different historical areas, renew its spirit and cultural and historical role, and enhance their tourism importance. The Prime Minister toured the project, where he climbed the tree hill in the garden as a viewing point to follow up on the implementation rates and percentages. He listened to an explanation from Eng. Sherif El Sherbiny - Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, about the components of Al Azbakeya Garden Revitalization Project, and the implementation rates and percentages of each component, noting that the various components have been completed with an implementation rate of about 90%, which included the implementation of walkways and green spaces, the implementation of the Roman Theater development works, the development of the tree hill area, the rehabilitation of the artificial lake on an area of 1200 square meters, which contains 2 fountains and 2 bridges with a metal structure and wooden floors, the implementation of the development of the terraces and stone stairs area, and the upgrading and restoration of the historic fountain. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly listened to a detailed explanation from Dr. Maher Stino - the project consultant, about the development work underway in the area surrounding the garden as part of the Khedivial Cairo Development Plan, which includes Opera Square and Garage, Al Azhar Bridge and Tunnel, the Theater Complex, Al Attaba Garage, the Investment Zone, Al Attaba Square, Al Khazindar Square, Al Azbakiya Book Market, and the market area designated for street vendors. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister directed the completion of the remaining works while adhering to the planned implementation rates according to the time schedule, as well as preserving the distinctive architectural character of the area. During the inspection tour of the garden, the Minister of Housing reviewed the garden’s status before the works, as well as the various aspects of the plan to revive it and its results, indicating that the project aims to restore the historical spirit of the garden by renovating the artificial lake according to the latest systems, restoring historic buildings such as the fountain, rehabilitating old trees and making the necessary supports for them, rehabilitating buildings overlooking the garden such as the Fencing Club, and the space leading to the historic theaters, in addition to reinstalling pergolas that mimic the original pergolas, re-operating the water lake, constructing a restaurant building similar to ancient architecture, constructing walls around the entire perimeter of the garden, and implementing 4 gates, taking into account the historical dimension in the design of the walls and gates. Eng. Sherif El Sherbiny added that Al Azbakeya Garden is one of the oldest gardens in Cairo Governorate, and is the only green space in the Khedivial Cairo plan, as the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities is implementing its revitalization works as part of the projects to revive historic Cairo, to revive this archeological garden as a breathing space and a garden for Cairo residents, noting that the development works include restoring the architectural and heritage value of the buildings of historical value in the garden, in addition to accommodating the book kiosks located on the garden walls, given their importance to visitors, by adopting a model for a unified kiosk that will be implemented on the garden’s outer wall to accommodate the currently licensed kiosks.