The opening was attended by Minister of Local Development Dr. Manal Awad, Acting Minister of Environment, Cairo Governor Dr. Ibrahim Saber, and other officials from the ministry and governorate, alongside leaders from the Greater Cairo Reconstruction Authority and the National Organisation for Urban Harmony.
The project comes in line with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's
directives to revive historic areas, regulate commercial activity in informal
markets, and transform them into organised urban and commercial centres that
meet sustainable urban development requirements while preserving the district's
distinctive heritage and architectural character.
Minister Awad explained that the project aims to create a
safe and civilized commercial environment that supports the integration of
informal activities into the formal economy, in addition to raising the
economic and investment value of central Cairo, in alignment with Egypt Vision
2030.
Dr. Awad noted that the project was implemented by the
Greater Cairo Reconstruction Authority in coordination with the National
Organisation for Urban Harmony, with a total cost of EGP50 million excluding
utility costs. Funding was provided by the ministry, with strict adherence to
high technical and engineering standards.
The Minister added that during implementation, full
coordination took place with traders, shop owners, and beneficiaries to ensure
the designs met their needs and provided a safe, organised work environment
while preserving the historical identity of the location.
About 473 beneficiaries benefit from the project, making the
redeveloped Ataba market a "civilised model that combines authenticity and
modernity," reviving one of Cairo’s ancient commercial symbols and
embodying the state's vision for more organised and civilised cities.
Cairo Governor said that the development work was carried
out according to a model approved by the Local Development Minister in
collaboration with the UN-Habitat program and coordinated with the Urban Harmony
Organisation. The development serves as a model that can be applied to other
streets in the area.
Dr. Saeed Abdel Khalek, Head of the Strategic Management and
Local Development Sector at the Local Development Ministry, presented a
detailed overview of the project's phases and components.
He explained that the development covered three main
streets, totalling 321 metres in length, ensuring a main corridor of 4 metres
was left to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles and pedestrians. The
project also included improving the facades of 105 commercial shops, restoring
and upgrading four buildings of distinguished architectural style, and
renovating 11 buildings overlooking the market.
He confirmed that 100 percent of the utility networks,
including sanitation, water, electricity, and telecommunications, were
completed. The development work, also 100 percent complete, included paving the
ground with interlock, installing fire-resistant awnings that allow natural
light, modern lighting to highlight the area’s aesthetic character, and
designing high-quality shop facades and signboards using materials like
cladding and cement board. The work also involved painting doors, supplying
dedicated tables for vendors, and installing a comprehensive system of
surveillance cameras to enhance security and safety within the market.
The Prime Minister met with several vendors. One vendor
remarked: "We never dreamed of anything like this. We thank the President
and all government officials for the work done." Another said: "We
now have a stable place, without having to flee as happened before."
Dr. Madbouly urged the vendors to preserve the achievement, stating: "You are the most important factor in preserving the project, and you are the beneficiaries, so take care of it."