BUE ACE1
Sustainable Vital Technologies in
Engineering & Informatics
8-10 Nov 2016
Renovating the Mohamed Ali's Grand Masjid district at Zagazig
city as Sustainable Development
Ghada Gazar*
History of Art Department, The faculty of fine arts, Helwan University, Zamalek,
11561, Egypt.
Abstract
Zagazig city is the capital of Sharkya government; it is one of most important historic
cities, as it have both ancient Egyptian and Islamic monuments.one of the most important
monuments it have is the Grand Masjid (mosque) in kitharia district, which Mohamed Ali
erected it especially for builders who came for building nine aqueducts on Moais River.
This study aims to study this remarkable monument and its surrounding area to renovating
it and have a sustainable development, this study is divided into two section the first one
investigate the current conditions of the district to show its problems, the second section
focuses on setting new sustainable development plan for the surrounding area inspired by
the original style of both the Grand masjid and the Nine Aqueducts, restore its original
character and preserve its social and economic activities.
© 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under
responsibility of Global Science and Technology Forum Pte Ltd
Keywords: Mohamed Ali Grand Masjid (mosque) - the Nine Aqueducts –Islamic
monuments in Zagazig- sustainability.
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +01006501771; fax: +027358910.
E-mail address: [email protected].
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Ghada Gazar / BUE ACE1 SVT2016
1. Introduction
Most of Egyptian cities are suffering from urban, environmental and social problems due
to neglecting and disordered plans, insufficient decisions, especially historical cities away
from Cairo and Alexandria such as zagazig, city which has several monuments must be
paid attention to conservation and renovation projects to protect its cultural resources and
preserve its identity, "An historic building gives us a sense of wonder and makes us
appreciate its culture and our heritage", Feilden, 2003. It has architectural, aesthetic,
historic, social, economic, spiritual and symbolic values which amused society and have to
be restored. Renovating historical building requires creativity to respect the original design
and materials while meeting applicable codes and occupant needs. Management of
historical buildings and surrounding area to meet economic and social needs so it have to be
done with co-operation between all authorities, The concept of sustainability has long been
embedded in the practice of historic preservation.
Heritage preservation plays a major role of cultural life and economic income as it will
help the city to take a place in tourism map of Egypt as it is One of the pillars of
revitalization benefits, as it is one of the main economic incomes which all Nations seek
for, Architectural heritage considered the most important tourists interest, Prentice, 1993,
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, Brundtland, 1987.
1.1. Renovation historical district
Renovating historical city or district faces so many factors stand against achieving a new
vision to the site, beside it is fundamentally different from renovating a single monument.
So it can't be renovating the whole city by renovating and preserving its monuments but we
can renovate and restore the monument district and insert some social and economic
activities.
Despite of all of us believe in the importance of preserving architectural heritage,
increasing architectural needs stood against it, like building residential, health, educational
and commercial building, so state gives priority to those projects, Isar, 1986
The main characteristics of the historic cities centers are the triumph of multiple uses in
historic core areas: housing intermixes with small shops, markets, workshops, religious
building and commerce, all with the human culture that accompanies them. Housing is the
triumph of building use in historic cities throughout the region. It is the use for which the
majority of the buildings were constructed and it remains the use for which they and the
urban infrastructure are all best suited housing is the starting point for their revitalization,
Rodwell 2007.
Housing here – in this case study- was held randomly around the Grand masjid and the nine
aqueducts.
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2.1 Sustainable developments
A broad definition being used by general consensus derives from the Bruntland Report,
Our Common future, in 1987. It defines sustainable development as that which "meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs", Brundtland, 1987.
There are three pillars of sustainability; Social, Economic and environmental sustainability
Economic sustainability focuses on one portion of sustainability, for instance, one leg of a
three-legged environment/social/economic stool (Barbier 1987, Campbell 1996, Rogers et
al. 2006).
This study aims to district status depending on SWOT analysis, those problems and benefits
which stand against any preservation or renovation, introduce new ideas to preserve the
historic character of the older city and solutions for overcoming all the difficulties facing
renovating or restoring grand masjid of Mohamed Ali district, according to sustainability
three pillars.
2. Zagazig city
1.2 Location
It is the capital of Sharkia government and one of the important historic cities in Egypt,
It located in Lower Egypt, in the eastern part of the Nile delta, and is 47 miles by rail northnortheast of Cairo. Situated on the Nile Delta in the midst of a fertile district, Zagazig is a
center of the cotton and grain trade of Egypt. It has large cotton factories and used to have
offices of numerous European merchants, it is located on the Moeis Canal, Zagazig city
maps guide, P d.
Fig 1 Sharkia government map, Google
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2.2 History of Zagazig city
Zagazig city, the Arab geographers described it as a town of Korah in Sharkia in lower
Egypt in the book of Mocgam al Buldan of Yacqoob al –Hamawy, 1955, but about 200
years ago, a tribe or a family whose chief was named Zagzug gave his name to the new
city, Bakr, 1992, it gains two kinds of historical monuments;
1.2.2 Ancient Egyptian city as it was called "Per Bastet" the house of Bastet (the cat
goddess in ancient Egypt), it had flourished for more than 4000 years, Petrie, 1906, was
dedicated to the cat goddess bastet from the old kingdom about 2613 BC at Cheops and
Chefren reign, until the roman era at 395AD, Breasted, 1909. Bubastis is already well
known. It was mentioned in the old testament as Pi-beseth in the Hebrew version (Hezekiel
30,17). In his second book which was devoted to Egypt, Herodot gives a special attention to
describe the famous annual festival of Bubastis to the cat goddess (Herodot II, 59-60). The
cult of the wild cat was wide spread all over the Egyptian nomes, so that its name was given
to the city as well as to the province later. The town was called Per-Bastet and was
transcribed by Greek as Bubastis, Bakr, 1992.
The city became the capital of Egypt during the 22th dynasty of Osorkon I (924- 889 BC)
for 21 years, Breasted, 1909. It was described by several Greeks such as Herodotus,
Diodorus Siculus and Strabo, Herodot Bk, 137, Gaston Maspero visited Bubastis in the
early 19th century, he noted that the city re build several times and became a ruin but the
remain building left was the city temple thus the city compound rise up higher than the
temple, Maspero,1914.
2.2.2 Islamic – Ottman- city; the most important calawian monuments outside Cairo is the
grand masjid of Mohamed Ali pasha who erected Nine aqueducts on Moais River then he
established the grand masjid on a surface area of more than 400 square meters in (1832
A.D- 1248) and stores dedicated to serve the needs of worker and builder of the aqueducts,
establishing this monument was a major step of the foundation of a new city of zagazig.
3. Mohamed Ali's grand masjid
The masjid was constructed by Mohamed Ali on a surface area of more than 400 square
meters, Constructed in 1832 as one of the establishing steps of the foundation of a new
comprehensive city, the masjid has a facade of 11 meters high and it was made out of
stones and the whole complex is based on 8 huge granite columns that were imported from
Upper Egypt, it has a wonderful minaret that is 30 meters high and it was decorated in the
traditional classical style of minaret ornaments blended with the Ottoman outlines.
The plan of the masjid has a rectangular shape divided to three aisles by two rows of
columns without any court, instead there is octagonal lantern.
Its northern façade have two entrances, the northern one leading to upstairs where a hostel
for traders and merchants, at the North West façade a series of stores which called
Ghada Gazar/ BUE ACE1 SVT2016
kisaria(market). All windows have a shape of double arches with circular skylight window.
The ceiling of the mosque is made out the purest types of wood and it was decorated with a
wonderful pattern, Taman, 2009.
4. The Nine aqueducts
Mohamed Ali pasha erected nine aqueducts on moais canal to control water supply, that
flourished commercial and social activities, more over it help settlement in the new city. It
is build out of stones in a shape of arches to allow transporting ships while it work as a
bridge help to cross canal Taman, 2009.
Ambulance
Association
Aqueduct
Bridge
American
hospital
Children care
hospital
Moais canal
Zagazig
prison
Mohamed
Ali's
masjid Masjid District
Fig 2 Map of Mohamed Ali's masjid and nine aqueduct district. Zagazig maps guide, 2011
Fig.3.The North West façade; taken by author
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Fig.4.The North east façade, taken by author.
Fig.5. (a) the main entrance of masjid ; (B) and( c) Backyards of the masjid, Taken by author.
Ghada Gazar/ BUE ACE1 SVT2016
Fig.6.General views of The Nine Aqueduct. Taken by author.
Fig.7. (a) General views of The Nine aqueduct. Taken by author.
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5. Grand masjid district SWOT analysing:
The surrounding area of the grand masjid grows up gradually till it has the current statue, so
it grows randomly; it has – according to SWOT analysing – some strong, weakness,
opportunities, threads points as following:
1.5 Strong points
 The central location of the grand masjid.
 The good condition of the grand masjid.
 There are Economic and social activities.
2.5 Weakness points
 The general prison of the city is opposite to the grand masjid.
 Conflict between local authorities which responsible for the district like Sharkia
governorate: which is responsible for any changes or building, The Ministry of
Endowments: which is responsible for all issues related to mosques, The Ministry for
Antiquities: This is responsible for restoration and conservation for historical buildings.
 Lack of green area.
 Street sellers spread everywhere surrounding the masjid.
3.5 Opportunities points
 There is a lot of developing plan introduced by archaeologists belong to the supreme of
antiquities deactivated. (Just theoretical reports)
 There was a canal opposite to the masjid piled to be a piece of land capable to be used.
4.5 Threads points
 There is a Lack of public awareness of the historical importance of the district.
 The cost and procedures of Renovating.
 The city is not qualified to be a part of tourist's interest till now.
 Aqueducts are in bad condition without any conservation or preservation.
6. Renovation and conservation according to Sustainable development
The concept is to avoid the unnecessary use of limited resources such as materials
and fossil fuels, as well as the generation of waste and pollution. Heritage
conservation can be considered an integral part of sustainable development in terms,
Aref, Yasser G. 2009.
1.6 Cultural Sustainability:


Conflict between local authorities which responsible for the district like Sharkia
governorate: which is responsible for any changes or building, The Ministry of
Endowments: which is responsible for all issues related to mosques, The Ministry for
Antiquities: This is responsible for restoration and conservation for historical buildings.
This issue could be controlled by Establishing a unite concern of management to all
issues related to grand masjid, being a common point between all authorities.
There is a Lack of public awareness of the historical importance of the district; it could
be done by the cooperation between the government and the authorized unit. Moreover
Ghada Gazar/ BUE ACE1 SVT2016

redesign stores façades to be suitable to district's identity and publish posters for the city
monuments and character to clear its identity all over the government to increase the
awareness of the significant of the historical monuments. Further arrange a festival for
the memory of establishing the Grand Masjid and Nine aqueducts.
Remove all street sellers, stores shades and umbrellas.
2.6 Environmental Sustainability:

Lack of green area it could be overcome by adds more green area to the district at the
opposite plain land as Museum Park, Tile the surrounding area of the masjid with
natural stones and rocks.
 Restore Nine Aqueducts to last for next generation.
3.6 Economic Sustainability:


Street sellers spread everywhere surrounding the masjid this issue could be organized
by build a bazar market in the opposite plain land to raise economic, social and
environmental activities.
The cost and procedures of renovating, it could be done by the cooperation between the
government and the authorized unit.
7. Conclusion
Historical cities need so much attention to flourish and restore its identity as well, Zagazig
city is famous of its ancient Egyptian sites but a few aware of her Islamic heritage which
needs to be renovated and preserved.
Being on the list of Islamic monuments in Egypt will increase its economic incomes, being
on tourism map of Egypt, if it achieves a sustainable development by preserve its identity
and heritage to last forever for future generation.
References
Aref, Yasser G. 2009 “The Conservation of Heritage as a Means for Sustainability”, Conference On Technology &
Sustainability in the Built Environment, King Saud university, KSA, p221.
2. Bakr, M.I, 1992, Tell Basta, E.A.O press, Cairo, p13.
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4. Campbell, S. (1996). Green cities, growing cities, just cities?: Urban planning and the contradictions of sustainable
development. Journal of the American Planning Association, p 62.
5. Rogers, P. P., Jalal, K. F., and Boyd, J. A. (2006). An Introduction to Sustainable Development. Cambridge, MA: Published
by the Continuing Education Division of Harvard University and the Glen Educational Foundation.
6. Feilden, B. M., 2003. Conservation of Historic Buildings, Third Edition, Architectural Press,Oxford.
7. Gro Harlem Brundtland, 1987, World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future, Oxford
University Press.
8. Egyptian general survey authority, 2011, Map's guide of zagazig city, Giza p24.
9. Ray Cole and Anne Auger, 1996, An Architect’s Guide for Sustainable Design of Office Buildings, PWGSC,
10. Rodwell Dennis (2007) “Conservation and Sustainability in Historic Cities”, Blackwell publishing, Oxford, p7.
11. Taman,M, 2009, Zagazig city at the reign of calawy's dynasty, PHD, Archeology department, Arts college, Tanta university,
p370- 390.
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