Annual Award For The Preservation Of Architectural Heritage

 News|Popyrus

In celebration of World Heritage Day, the Ministry of Culture, represented by the National Organization for Urban Harmony, announced an annual award for best practices in architectural and urban conservation in Egypt for the year 2025. Under the patronage of Dr. Ahmed Fouad Heno, Minister of Culture, the National Organization for Urban Harmony, headed by Engineer Mohamed Abu Saada, will open applications for the award from April 20, 2025, to June 22 of each year, on the occasion of World Heritage Day, which falls on April 18. The award is open to individuals and architectural entities, as well as to all those interested in heritage, to submit their completed projects for the preservation and reuse of heritage buildings.

Ahmed Fouad Heno

The award aims to preserve architectural and urban heritage and protect national identity, as well as utilize heritage as a resource and wealth for the country. The award will target various fields, such as preservation, restoration, revitalization, rehabilitation, compatible reuse, and new construction in heritage areas.

The head of the authority stated that the first edition of the award will target all projects that reuse and reuse heritage buildings through restoration, rehabilitation, and revitalization. The aim of the award is to encourage various conservation projects and highlight the best among them, to create community awareness, foster a sense of belonging, and strengthen national identity. The award will also help implement urban coordination standards to protect heritage buildings and areas by integrating development with conservation and sustainability, and utilizing innovation and creativity to preserve our cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible.

The project eligibility criteria for the competition include the following:

- Restoration and Preservation: Preserving old buildings registered under Law No. 144 of 2006, and reusing them in a manner that preserves their appearance and identity.

- Revitalization and Rehabilitation: Improving neglected heritage areas.

- Compatible Reuse: Converting old buildings into new projects that are in keeping with the local landscape.

- New Construction in a Heritage Area: Designing new buildings that are in keeping with the old architectural style.

- Projects must be in keeping with the spirit of the times, reflect the city's identity, and preserve the urban and architectural value of the heritage through:

- Preserving Architectural Wealth: Ensuring that registered buildings are renovated and properly utilized.

- Improving the Visual Image: Removing any distortions in heritage areas registered under Law No. 119 of 2008.

- Compatible Activities: Providing models of activities that can be undertaken in heritage areas, and ways to intervene in them in a manner that preserves their identity.

- Problem Solutions: Presenting ideas and solutions to the problems facing buildings and areas with distinctive architectural character.

- Sustainability: Using environmentally friendly materials, conserving resources, and reducing energy consumption, while taking into account the three dimensions of sustainability: social, economic, and environmental, by preserving the cultural heritage of Egyptian cities.