The Impact of Urban Development on Public Squares

Abstract

This thesis examines the impact of urban development on public squares as a vital element in forming the city image. The appearance of any city is related to the existence of its first nucleus; so, if the urban changes in these nuclei are studied a real image of the city could be given. The use of open space has become more prevalent than it was in the past, this makes one realize its importance nowadays. Open spaces could be classified according to function or shape, at all cases it is a result of historical events and their impact Ramses Square is a major square in Cairo, which has been affected by means of urban development. Consequently both its shape and function have gradually changed, which by its turn has affected the uses of open spaces in Cairo. With the excessive growth of Greater Cairo (El Kahira El Kobra), greater urban change has occurred and increased the pressure on its central areas considered as multi-use areas. Hence the appearance of various problems such as urban, visual, and traffic problems in such vital areas, these problems affected directly public squares, as they are the most important intersections of main axes. This thesis aims to study the impact of urban development on public squares, applying the study on Ramses Square as a case study