Copyright
Yossr Abouelnour;Published On
2025-06-03Page Range
pp. 103–118Language
- English
Print Length
16 pages
6. Urban Identity in a Polarised Metropolis
Examining the Strengths and Weaknesses of Informal Settlements and Gated Communities in the Greater Cairo Area
In Chapter Six, Yossr Abouelnour examines the urban identity of a polarised metropolis, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of informal settlements and gated communities in the Greater Cairo Area. She juxtaposes and compares the planning methods adopted in these communities, illustrating how liveable environments can be fostered by maximising community potential and strengthening inhabitants’ sense of identity. Additionally, she questions the premise of a significant planning dichotomy between the two urban systems, their spatial configurations, and the opportunities they provide for their inhabitants.
Contributors
Yossr Abouelnour
(author)Yossr Abouelnour is an architect, urban designer and researcher based
in Berlin, currently pursuing an urban management degree at Berlin
Technical University. She holds a master’s degree in urban design
from the University of Toronto and a bachelor’s degree in architectural
engineering from Ajman University. Her professional experience
includes lecturing at the University of Science and Technology of
Fujairah, working as a teaching and lab assistant at the University of
Toronto and Ajman University, as well as practicing architecture, urban
design and planning in the private sector for firms in Dubai, Romania
and Toronto.