ROLE OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN PRESERVING THE URBAN IDENTITY OF CITIES | ||||
| Journal of Al-Azhar University Engineering Sector | ||||
| Volume 20, Issue 75, April 2025, Page 747-764 PDF (1018.35 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/auej.2025.348163.1750 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Amany A. Yacoup  ; Abdelrehim Q. Qenawi; Shaban A. Abu Khatwa
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| Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11884, Cairo, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Since the creation of humankind, man has been in constant search of his essence to define his identity. Identity is one of the fundamental psychological components through which an individual feels distinct and different from others. This concept is clearly reflected in the words of Allah Almighty: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Aware” (Al-Hujurat 13) , Every nation and society has its own unique identity that sets it apart. The concept of identity is a central notion that consistently manifests itself across various fields. Identity is not limited to personal identity alone; there are multiple forms of identity, such as social identity, cultural identity, urban identity, architectural identity, and so forth. As we stroll through our cities' streets among newly created structures, we are reminded of history by considering the streets and walls of buildings from a bygone age. Here, we face the problem in all of its dimensions: globalization's grip over our architectural identity. This is not a new issue, nor is it confined to architecture; it has an impact on every element of life. It is a dilemma that has given rise to phrases like "revival of heritage," "modernity," and "authenticity," among others, In the midst of these diverging ideas, we encounter an equation: the clashing forces of architectural identity and globalization. The latter has been allowed freedom, whereas the former has not been maintained properly. This brings up a number of important questions regarding the preservation of architectural identity, particularly: What constitutes architectural identity and what elements comprise it? And which factors influence it?. Assuming that preservation and change should originate from the community, the planning and preservation processes transform into self-sustained initiatives in which the planning team serves as a facilitator. Community members should not only be the recipients of development but also active participants in the process. This leads us to the inquiry: how much does community involvement aid in maintaining the urban identity of Egyptian cities? These queries, together with their responses, constitute the framework of this study. Thus, the research will explore the idea of urban identity, its importance, its components, and the elements affecting it. It will subsequently examine community involvement, investigating its meaning, the necessity for it in conservation initiatives, the parties engaged, their functions, and features. Additionally, it will explore strategies to promote community involvement, the challenges hindering participation, and local experiences and projects where community engagement was utilized to maintain urban identity. In conclusion, the research will summarize the main findings and suggestions obtained from the study. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Urban identity; community participation; community participation parties | ||||
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