How Community Engagement Approach Enhances Heritage Conservation: Two Case Studies on Sustainable Urban Development in Historic Cairo

Abstract

Community engagement is an important approach in the sustainable urban development of heritage sites. During the last two decades, a large number of studies have focused on evolving approaches to heritage protection. These initiatives have tried various approaches or models to strengthen the role of the community in the protection process. Historic Cairo is one of the most important sites on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. In 2011, UNESCO took a new approach to sustainable urban development in historical areas, given their importance in the history of urban culture. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Community Engagement Tool for the sustainable urban development of heritage sites in two case studies in historic Cairo (Al-Darb Al-Aqaba (URHC) and Souq El-Silah) by examining the instrument of community participation used to transform the landscape of sustainable urban development. It also aims to identify the importance of community involvement in the sustainable development of heritage sites. This method adopts a case study approach and follows a qualitative research approach consisting of two parts: a theoretical part through a literature review and an analytical part through an investigation of two case studies (JSPS procedures in Souq El-Silah and URBAN procedure in Al-Darb Al-Amar). We also explore the data collected and the results of the community consultation process for both projects. The findings show that through capacity building, participatory workshops and mapping tools, local residents became dynamic decision makers in both case studies. More than 70 percent of the community members involved in the Al-Darb Al-Ahmar project reported increased ownership and involvement in heritage protection. In addition, the results of the survey show that the Community Engagement Tool effectively involves and empowers local residents in decision-making and planning processes.

1. Introduction

In recent years, the involvement of local communities in the management of the sustainable urban development of heritage sites has become a key task for researchers and practitioners, as cultural heritage values have spread to more social sphere. There is now a general awareness of the multiple values involved, of the tangible economic value of heritage assets and of the increasingly important intangible values held by such assets. While in some cases, tangible values might simply override the value of the historic environment as such, in other cases (such as urban historical areas), the debate may translate into community involvement in heritage preservation. Different cultural, social and political settings affect the ways in which communities become involved in urban conservation. As a country with a rich history spanning over five thousand years and a current population of over one hundred million, Egypt has been exemplified in many cases regarding both the adverse and supportive impacts of various governmental policies and societal campaigns on heritage preservation. Similar challenges of urban growth and conservation of heritage have been debated elsewhere in Middle Eastern countries such as Baghdad’s old Rusafa city, where efforts in conserving urban heritage are met with challenges of fast urban growth [1]. Community engagement is any strategy aimed at empowering local populations to participate in or control processes that affect their environment [2]. The concept behind community and stakeholder engagement for effective urban development strategies and practices is based on the close linkages between sustainability and urban development, as well as the necessity for sustainable development to be rooted in the social, economic and environmental needs and priorities of an area. Social, environmental and economic sustainability depend on informed community members who can identify and advocate for their own priorities and needs, as well as the benefits the community derives from those [3]. Meaningful engagement can facilitate the empowerment of local people to build their capacity for collective action and develop local leadership to address the needs of the affected community members [4]. Such engagement has been proven to be powerful in participative and consultative urban development planning, where the input of a poor community on development priorities helps avoid the damages incurred to their interests [5].

This research aims to explore the community engagement tool approach to sustainable urban development of heritage sites in two projects in historic Cairo (Al-Darb Al-Amar (URHC) and Souq El-Silah).

Our research objectives were clear: to (1) identify the importance of community engagement in sustainable development of heritage sites; (2) explore the various frameworks and strategies for sustainable urban development in heritage sites with community engagement tools; and (3) provide an overview that explores and discusses the process of two case studies in the community engagement tool approach to the sustainable urban development of heritage sites. Based on research questions, the focus was on two questions: (1) how does community engagement contribute to the sustainable urban development of heritage sites, specifically in the two case studies; and (2) what are the main frameworks and strategies used in the community engagement approach for heritage protection and how have they been implemented in the two case studies?

This research adopts a case study and follows a qualitative research method, consisting of two parts: a theoretical part through a literature review and an analytical part through exploring the procedures of the two case studies (JSPS procedures at Souq El-Silah and the URHC procedure at Al-Darb Al-Amar). The data collected and the results of the community engagement process for both projects were explored. The findings show that through capacity-building, participatory workshops and mapping tools, local residents in both case studies become dynamic decision-makers. Over 70% of community participants in the Al-Darb Al-Ahmar project reported increased ownership and engagement in heritage conservation efforts. Furthermore, the results of the research show how the community engagement tool effectively involved and empowered the residents in decision-making and planning processes.

This study adds to the literature by presenting a comparative study of two community engagement models on the ground, implemented in Cairo, highlighting their practical problems and achievements in the context of urban heritage contexts.

2. Literature Review

2.1. Community Engagement

Theoretical framework: built cultural heritage and sustainable urban development are major themes in the global urbanization process. While this aims to bring new opportunities for economies, it also poses challenges for social development, cultural preservation and environmental protection. Sustainability is a driving force in the management of heritage buildings and sites in the current urban context, and the 2011 UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape underlines the twin importance of heritage and sustainable development. To help plan heritage-driven urban transformations, Ref. [6] used a four-layer heritage-based urban regeneration planning model with respective significant implications in a case study of the Revitalizing Historic City Centre of Wroclaw Project in Poland, which is a good practice example for the integration of heritage and sustainable development principles. The current understanding of cultural heritage extends beyond its traditional definition of social, economic and environmental values that have been employed in international agreements since the 1970s. The built cultural heritage of the city is a complex economic, social, historical and environmental asset and a visible symbolic element of the larger urban fabric, context and culture. Given this dual physical and nonphysical importance, it is clear that cultural values play a central role in urban development. This four-layer planning model of heritage-driven urban regeneration presents a holistic view of heritage as a key input and driver, and supporting sustainable, integrated and creative regeneration strategies in a wider context, with the ultimate aim of fostering sustainable urban development and social justice. Such a framework provides a long-term and multidisciplinary outlook and designates key urban strategies that must be democratic, participative, integrated and sustainable. To address urban heritage as an essential element of sustainable urban development, a conceptual is presented, illustrated by a case study on the rehabilitation of the Al-Medina historic district in Tripoli, Libya, and tested in structured interviews with planners from different disciplines, thus increasing the richness of the existing literature and addressing the broader urban context, the heterogeneity of the primal asset and the complexity of the intended results [7].

Responding to the rapid growth of Australian Community, Industrial and Environmental Sociology (ACIES) and its growing international reach, the Australian Sociological Association (TASA), set up in 1994, established the ‘Economic Sociology and Industrial Sociology Thematic Group (ESIST)’. The establishment of the ESIST within the TASA and its development over the last 20 years has created a dynamic and exciting community of scholars and researchers, and the ESIST remains a significant and active research group within the TASA [8]. In 2012, Flinders University organized a triennial public event on sociology in cooperation with the ESIST Thematic Group and the Journal of Sociology, exploring the current and future impact of industrial sociology. Building on these foundations, the Regional Futures Project aims to establish an innovative community–research partnership that combines academic and practitioners’ insights on a range of critical social, economic and industrial issues. Planning and support were secured from the Monash Council Economic Development, Participatory Research Group, and ESIST thematic group at TASA. The project is timely and has the potential to deliver significant knowledge-sharing, providing useful outcomes, ensuring the wide community can be informed by and engage with critical research findings. The prevailing model of community involvement currently undercuts the potential importance of local research skills in translating external research findings to local contexts and advocates a closer relationship between research and practice. Recent advances in the field of social criticism have contributed significantly to the cultural transformation of the social sciences, including recent advances in sociological theory, which has resulted in a useful suite of interpretive and practice-based research methodologies. In practice, these approaches typically enable researchers to read ‘between the lines’ of qualitative data, exploring aspects of the dataset not readily amenable to quantitative analysis. Yet, a strength of such interpretive research models is also a major limitation, as they often require a significant level of theoretical, philosophical and conceptual appreciation to apply effectively to qualitative data in an empirical research setting. In addition, the vast majority of these complex interpretive methods have been developed primarily for use in standalone research projects rather than in the context of community–translational academic–practitioner partnerships where the local context is understood to be paramount [8].

Historic Cairo includes more than 600 registered historic buildings and is also home to more than 100,000 residents. Historic Cairo, which encloses the heart of the famous Islamic district of Al-Qahira, holds over a fifth of the heritage buildings in Egypt; among them are 600 registered historic buildings. The street network is the most characteristic element of historic Cairo. Residential and artisan sectors were founded in inland walled cities between the 12th and 16th centuries [9].

Heritage conservation management is recognized globally as a building block of sustainable urban development. Scholars classify participation in terms of spatial typologies, whereas the UNESCO approach to Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) promotes participatory planning as a strategy for inclusive urban planning [10]. The strategies emphasize empowerment, stakeholder communication, and lasting stewardship of heritage sites. Existing research supports that participation by communities leads to improved heritage management outcomes and increased socio-cultural identity [4].

Communities could be identified based on various aspects: a feeling of place, physical location, shared identity, common hobbies or pastimes, social cohesiveness, or cultural inclusiveness are just a few of the characteristics that might be used to identify communities. Political or economic concerns might also be used to identify it; thus, it has always been based on context. Since there are several definitions even within the same field of study, defining communities is one of the challenges faced by researchers from different disciplines. Different attitudes, behaviors, beliefs and motives are just a few examples of the several ways that communities are defined in the heritage sector. Stated differently, communities vary from one another [11].

“A community [is] a number of people who share a distinct location, belief, interest, activity, or other characteristic that clearly identifies their commonality and which differentiates them from those who do not share it” [12].

And the term “involvement” was defined as “the processes that make them interested groups or individuals get together in a project as to achieve some goals after building communication bridges and consolidating the relationships between each other”. As Marie-Theres Albert mentioned in one of her papers on world heritage,

“Since the 1980s stakeholder involvement has been declared as the most effective strategy to ensure a balanced socio-economic and political-cultural development for structurally weak regions” [11].

In the early 2000s, UNESCO conducted enormous surveys to understand the dynamics of the relationship between the heritage sites and the inhabitants. The surveys revealed that the local residents, who were the original inhabitants and owners of the old buildings, were strongly attached to their homes and neighborhoods [5]. Despite economic pressure and the worsening condition of the infrastructure, these communities expressed that they had a strong desire to remain in their ancestral locations rather than being relocated [3]. Recognizing the valuable role that these residents could play in cultural heritage preservation, UNESCO shifted its strategy to an inclusive approach [13]. Instead of viewing the locals as passive beneficiaries of top-down restoration efforts, the organization encouraged their active involvement in the decision-making process [14]. This inclusive approach was based on the belief that if the communities were engaged and empowered, they would own and care for their heritage. Not only would this assure sustainability to conservation efforts, but it would also align restoration schemes with the true needs and aspirations of the community. The decision to involve the local residents of al-Darb al-Ahmar was also supported by the outcome of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture’s (AKTC) intervention within the area [5].

The AKTC interventions demonstrated have shown that community involvement can lead to successful urban regeneration, revitalizing both heritage and the socio-economic well-being of the inhabitants. By examining how digital and smart systems contribute to the renewal of industrial heritage in a smart city context and can complement community-led models [15]. By establishing training programs, employment opportunities and channels through which residents could voice their concerns and ideas, the AKTC fostered a spirit of cooperation that bridged the gap between preservationists and residents. UNESCO’s emphasis on community engagement in al-Darb al-Ahmar has been a model for heritage conservation around the world. In acknowledging the intrinsic link between cultural heritage and the residents of such places, the organization has highlighted the importance of inclusive strategies that respect both preservation and residents’ well-being [16].

As a result of all these developments, UNESCO has developed a toolkit for sustainable urban transport. The successful management of urban heritage in complex environments requires a robust and scalable toolkit. It should include a range of interdisciplinary and innovative tools (community engagement tools, knowledge and planning tools and regulatory system tools and financial tools) [10]. It should focus on community engagement tools to enable stakeholders from different sectors to identify the key values of their city regions, develop a vision, set targets and agree on actions to preserve their heritage and promote sustainable development. Such studies have recently utilized online resources, such as social media data and accessibility mapping, to learn more about community engagement and movement patterns in historic centers [17]. These tools should facilitate intercultural dialogue by learning from the community about its history, traditions, values, needs and aspirations, and by facilitating mediation and negotiation between conflicting interests and groups [17]. Community members can identify and advocate for a contextualized HUL approach in the post-crisis urban landscape of Beirut and maintain its applicability to the complex urban heritage contexts in the Middle East.

2.2. Types of Community Engagement: From Tokenism to Empowerment

Community engagement is divided into several types due to the differences in the method and degree of involving the community in decision-making, how community members have been involved in decision-making, levels of participation (informing, consulting, collaborating and empowering), specific stakeholder groups engaged and barriers to or facilitators of community participation, whether their participation is complete or supported by decision-makers such as stakeholders [17]. The level of community involvement in heritage conservation varies from limited consultation to complete collaboration. Arnstein’s Ladder of Participation and other participatory planning models can be used to classify these types. And here are the common types of community engagement [18].

(1)

Tokenistic Involvement: Tokenistic involvement means that the opinions of some people are simply sought so that their participation can be shown, but those opinions and desires are ignored. Or the planning agencies simply look for public consensus on certain predetermined approaches. Planned society participation in regional spatial planning of Southern Cross Road area in Malang East Java, Indonesia, is generally still at the level of placation and tokenism [19]. Community members are informed about decisions but have little real influence. Participation is symbolic rather than meaningful.

(2)

Consultative Approach: Authorities seek public opinions through surveys and meetings, but final decisions rest with officials. The consultative approach should be distinguished from the much weaker informational model of community participation. The latter has no community representation on the decision-making body, and community members are typically informed of the decision only after it is made. Consultative approaches allow for feedback from the community in coming to a decision. Expert decision-makers control the process, but they genuinely attempt to solicit input from the community and to consider it in decision-making [20].

(3)

Collaborative/Community-Led: The residents actively shape projects and share responsibility for planning, implementation and management. This is defined as an abstract representation of some object or process that helps us understand it better. Three main community participation models in decision making that have been studied or proposed in the literature are functionalist, interpretative and realist models. Functionalist models of community participation focus primarily on the advantages of public participation for expert decision-making and the task of officials to gain community input [21].

(4)

Creative Engagement: Creative engagement goes beyond awareness-raising and education efforts. Engagement activities that are just sharing information with the public or collect public input are valuable, but these more traditional approaches to community engagement are not described as having an artistic character. These types of efforts often fall short of involving the community members in meaningful, co-creative processes to shape outcomes. In this way, they resemble public relations or marketing tactics much more than creative practices with a vital role in community capacity-building and resilience. In contrast, the creative engagement methods highlighted in these case studies engage the public in ways that produce meaning and ideas are co-produced, rather than transmitted or collected [21]. These use artistic, interactive and innovative methods such as storytelling, exhibitions and performances to involve communities.

(5)

Higher Education-Led: Information provided by higher education (IHEs) is transformed by the evolving policy process into a means for the development of potential new regulatory frameworks for private, non-profit higher education institutions. This transformation does not result from direct persuasion but rather takes place through processes of elaboration that political elites undertake to distinguish their own position in a way that allows them to consider it to be plausible and relevant to public discussion/generations of legitimacy [22]. Universities and academic institutions lead research-driven projects and provide technical and historical expertise, as shown in Table 1.

Collaborative/community-led participation is a participative process in which local residents and stakeholders are engaged in the planning, execution and management of urban regeneration schemes. Unlike tokenistic participation, where there is little real power, or consultative approaches, where opinions are heard but decision-making remains with the elite, this model ensures that the community is actively engaged in altering their environment [23]. It values local experience, builds ownership and establishes long-term stability. By empowering residents through education, capacity building and people-centered planning, this strategy develops strong and culturally sensitive city rejuvenation programs [24]. Collaborative/community-led participation is divided into several key components of a community-led engagement process.

Table 1. Showing sample of workshops for project of Al-Darb Al-Ahmar housing.

Date	Workshop Num.	Workshop Topic	Number of Facilitators	Number of Men	Ages Range of Men	Numbers of Women	Ages Range of Women	Outcomes
26 June 2022	1	Traffic in Al-darb Al-Ahmar, its problems and solutions	6	8	35–50	13	30–45	1. Improve traffic management and infrastructure. 2. Enhance street safety and cleanliness. 3. Beautify the area with trees and lighting. 4. Utilize resources like empty lands and shopping carts. 5. Create a pedestrian-friendly and organized environment.
21 August 2022	3	Risk management in Al-Darb Al-Ahmar, Historic Cairo	8	13	35–50	16	30–45	1. Upgrade infrastructure for safety and fire prevention. 2. Convert vacant lands into gardens and improve waste management. 3. Renovate streets and public spaces for emergencies. 4. Use schools and mosques as refuge points. 5. Raise awareness and reduce risks from utilities and factories.
23 October 2022	5	Intangible Heritage Souq Al-Silah, how to connect it with historical architecture	7	8	35–50	9	30–45	1. Oral Traditions: Proverbs, stories, superstitions, and transportation signs. 2. Performing Arts: Traditional dances, instruments, and Mawlid shows. 3. Social Practices: Popular foods, cultural habits, and rituals. 4. Nature Customs: Practices linked to nature for good fortune. 5. Craft Skills: Traditional arts like Khayamiya, arabesques, and copperwork.
18 December 2022	7	Traditional crafts in the Al-Darb Al-Ahmar area	6	18	35–50	10	30–45	1. Challenges: High costs, loss of crafts, and lack of support. 2. Solutions: Provide training, create exhibitions, and establish a trade union. 3. Awareness & Education: Promote crafts via media and schools. 4. Monitoring: Track artisans through a craft record.

Rehabilitation program [25].

Table 1. Showing sample of workshops for project of Al-Darb Al-Ahmar housing.

Date	Workshop Num.	Workshop Topic	Number of Facilitators	Number of Men	Ages Range of Men	Numbers of Women	Ages Range of Women	Outcomes
26 June 2022	1	Traffic in Al-darb Al-Ahmar, its problems and solutions	6	8	35–50	13	30–45	1. Improve traffic management and infrastructure. 2. Enhance street safety and cleanliness. 3. Beautify the area with trees and lighting. 4. Utilize resources like empty lands and shopping carts. 5. Create a pedestrian-friendly and organized environment.
21 August 2022	3	Risk management in Al-Darb Al-Ahmar, Historic Cairo	8	13	35–50	16	30–45	1. Upgrade infrastructure for safety and fire prevention. 2. Convert vacant lands into gardens and improve waste management. 3. Renovate streets and public spaces for emergencies. 4. Use schools and mosques as refuge points. 5. Raise awareness and reduce risks from utilities and factories.
23 October 2022	5	Intangible Heritage Souq Al-Silah, how to connect it with historical architecture	7	8	35–50	9	30–45	1. Oral Traditions: Proverbs, stories, superstitions, and transportation signs. 2. Performing Arts: Traditional dances, instruments, and Mawlid shows. 3. Social Practices: Popular foods, cultural habits, and rituals. 4. Nature Customs: Practices linked to nature for good fortune. 5. Craft Skills: Traditional arts like Khayamiya, arabesques, and copperwork.
18 December 2022	7	Traditional crafts in the Al-Darb Al-Ahmar area	6	18	35–50	10	30–45	1. Challenges: High costs, loss of crafts, and lack of support. 2. Solutions: Provide training, create exhibitions, and establish a trade union. 3. Awareness & Education: Promote crafts via media and schools. 4. Monitoring: Track artisans through a craft record.

Rehabilitation program [25].

(a)

Active Community Role: Residents were not just consulted but engaged in planning, decision-making and implementation.

(b)

Workshops and Training: Locals participated in skill-building sessions to understand conservation techniques.

(c)

Participatory Planning: Community members contributed ideas, helping shape rehabilitation efforts to reflect their needs.

(d)

Sense of Ownership: Residents became stakeholders, ensuring long-term sustainability beyond project completion.

(e)

Combining Local and Expert Knowledge: Traditional craftsmanship and historical insights were integrated with expert conservation strategies.

(f)

Sustainable Impact: The approach fostered economic and social benefits while maintaining cultural authenticity.

Collaborative/Community-Led: Participants in the social initiative are divided into several members: (A) the community of the historic area, including the owners of houses registered as heritage, the workshop owners and all the residents of the neighborhood known as the local residents; (B) the facilitators are the links who help the residents understand the heritage site, identify their needs, document their needs and communicate them to the authorities; and (C) the stakeholders, who are the implementers of the decision stemming from the community and its requirements to improve life for sustainable heritage conservation, as shown in Figure 1 [25].

2.3. Phases of Community Engagement Process

Five progressive phases usually comprise the engagement process, each of which advances community ownership and sustainability. These are based on the case studies’ use of participatory models.

Phase 1: Heritage Value Recognition—Researchers and activists assess the cultural significance of heritage sites tangible and intangible heritage using empirical research and the surveying of the heritage site.

Phase 2: Stakeholder Involvement—Key actors are identified and engaged for future participation for helping community in decision making.

Phase 3: Envisioning and Knowledge Building—Stakeholders collect historical knowledge and co-develop a shared vision for heritage reuse with facilitators to make the local residents’ knowledge about their heritage richer.

Phase 4: Action Implementation—Educational, cultural and entrepreneurial activities reinforce community awareness through workshops and in-depth interviews with the community.

Phase 5: Heritage Community Formation—A sustainable, motivated group is established for long-term conservation and cultural revitalization, and to make decisions for the conservation of a heritage site [25], as shown in Figure 2.

In the realm of heritage management and urban development, there is an increasing realization of the need to engage with local, community-based values. And to facilitate the process of community participation, some tools were identified to help the community engage in decision-making. Several tools can be used in community engagement in heritage sites. Each tool has its specific aim and best use [27].

2.4. Tools of Community Engagement

Workshops: Workshops bring residents, policymakers and experts to work together on collaboration to co-design development strategies that are culturally sensitive and inclusive. By involving the group, the workshops often benefit from a wealth of knowledge [28]. The workshops also provide modules for participants who can interact regularly with knowledge, active participation and research.

Questionnaires and Surveys: These tools provide data on citizens’ opinions, needs and challenges and help in aligning development initiatives with community priorities. Questionnaires are used when the goal of a project is to gather data that are quantitative in nature. The questionnaires are written with closed-ended questions, meaning that participants rate the answers to questions in a scale format, with categories such as “strongly agree”, “agree”, “disagree” or “strongly disagree”, as one familiar example [29].

Interviews: Semi-structured interviews draw out in-depth insights from the community members, artisans and local leaders to provide qualitative heritage conservation data. This method fosters openness and trust between the researcher (‘outsider’) and the community, as it focuses on personal connection [30].

Public Meetings: Open forums engage community members in voicing their concerns, giving their feedback and taking part in decision-making processes.

So, all previous studies thus confirm the role played by community participation in maintaining projects and cultural identity. However, few studies have examined structured engagement tools within the Egyptian context, particularly in historic Cairo. This research fills that gap by addressing the following questions: (1) how does community engagement influence sustainable urban development in heritage sites?; (2) which frameworks and tools are most effective for these processes?

3. Case Studies Background

3.1. Historical and Cultural Significance of Al-Darb Al-Ahmar Heritage Site

Al-Darb Al-Ahmar is a historical area located just to the southwest of the historical great Citadel built by Salah Al-Din in 1176. This area has been considered one of the most important developed areas in the historical Cairo city throughout the years. Its original streets and lanes extend on all sides to meet the most important historical and touristic great gate in Cairo, Bab Al-Fetouh to the north, Bab Al-Nasr to the west and Bab Zuwayla to the south, in addition to the lane on the eastern side of Al-Hussein Mosque to the east. Both Cairo governmental Emirs and the Sultan used to live in this area. Thus, it became an elite residential area in the Mameloukian and Ottoman periods, located at the heart of the historical Cairo city [31]. Souq al Silah, the Arabic name for Arsenal Market, is a historic marketplace located in the heart of Islamic Cairo. Souq al Silah has been a vital center of trade and culture since it was first established over seven centuries ago. Over the long course of its history, it has developed into a dense and complex environment. Its narrow streets and traditional stone structures stand as “Physical and urban manifestations of social interaction: a place for the mingling of wives, children and servants, as well as the selling and “sate of articles” essential to the functioning of the household” [32].

3.2. Overview of the Urban Regeneration Project for Historic Cairo (URHC)

The urban regeneration project in historic Cairo in the area of Al-Darb Al-Ahmar is part of UNESCO’ World Heritage properties. Al-Darb Al-Ahmar is often cited as a good practice in the engagement of local stakeholders in the urban revitalization of a neighborhood. The URHC was initiated in July 2001 by the Egyptian government, the Cairo Governorate and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. In 2009, a formal partnership for the transition period and the future was signed between the Al-Darb Al-Ahmar Local Development Program and the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, which covers the following aspects: community organization and empowerment, economic development, social development, cultural heritage, land use systems, building upgrading and open space [33].

The project was established in cooperation with the Egyptian government in 1991. The project aims firstly to improve the built environment and the quality of life of the residents in the area, and secondly, to conserve and restore some of the most important cultural heritages in Cairo. The proposed activities concern the improvement of the physical and socio-economic conditions of the parts of historic Cairo most affected by urban decline taking into consideration their historical, cultural and architectural value. The Urban Regeneration for Historic Cairo project involved a set of actions that in a simultaneous and global manner seek to impact in the area, influencing urban, economic, social, environmental and cultural aspects [31].

3.3. Overview of the JSPS Project (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science): Project for Sustainable Conservation in the Historic Cairo/Community Development with the Participation of Local Residents

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) is an organization that supports scientific research and exchange programs between Japan and other countries.

The project aims to promote sustainable conservation practices in the historic neighborhoods of Cairo while engaging local residents in community development. The site selected for this project is the Darb al-Ahmar neighborhood, which is one of the oldest areas in Cairo and is home to many historic sites, including mosques, palaces and houses. The neighborhood is in the heart of the city and is a hub for cultural activities, traditional crafts and tourism. The project’s objectives are as follows: (1) to promote sustainable conservation practices that are compatible with the unique heritage and history of the area; (2) to improve the living conditions of local residents through community engagement and participation in the development process; and (3) to enhance economic opportunities for local residents through cultural tourism and the revitalization of traditional crafts [34].

Souq al Silah, the ‘Arabic name for Arsenal Market,’ is a historic marketplace located in the heart of Islamic Cairo. Souq al Silah has been a vital center of trade and culture since it was first established over seven centuries ago. Over the long course of its history, it has developed into a dense and complex environment. Its narrow streets and traditional stone structures stand as “Physical and urban manifestations of social interaction: a place for the mingling of wives, children and servants, as well as the selling and “sate of articles” essential to the functioning of the household” [32].

4. Methodology

This section outlines a qualitative case study approach adopted to explore community engagement in sustainable urban development and heritage conservation in historic Cairo. A comparative case study design was used to examine participatory practices in two major projects in historic Cairo: the Urban Regeneration Project for Historic Cairo (URHC) and the JSPS Project in Souq El-Silah. The methodology draws from participatory research principles [35] and UNESCO’s Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach [10]. The study is structured in two parts: a theoretical part through a literature review and an analytical part through exploring and examining the procedures of the two case studies (JSPS procedures at Souq El-Silah and the URHC procedure at Al-Darb Al-Amar). We also explore the data collected and outcomes from the community through the process of using community engagement tools for the two projects. The following subsections detail the research design, data collection tools, analytical approach and the strategies used to ensure the validity of the methodological choices [10].

4.1. Research Design

The study applies a comparative case study that is suitable for understanding participative practices in real urban heritage context for sustainable urban development with community engagement tool to enable an in-depth exploration of community engagement in heritage conservation. This design allowed for cross-case analysis while preserving each project’s specificity and the uses of community engagement tool. A case study approach was used [36], which is suitable for understanding real-life phenomena in contextually rich environments such as historic Cairo [36]. The research design is structured in three phases:

(A)

Theoretical Development: A literature review synthesizes frameworks for community engagement, including types and tools of community engagement. This informs the analysis framework for the evaluation the two case studies to explore a community engagement tool for sustainable urban development.

(B)

Case Study Analysis: A detailed analysis and examination of the URHC and JSPS projects, focusing on their community engagement tool processes, tools and outcomes.

(C)

Synthesis and Comparison: Synthesis of the findings to respond to the research questions, comparing engagement strategy effectiveness between the two projects.

This phased strategy ensures a systematic inquiry, adhering to the study’s objectives to ascertain the importance of community involvement and explore its application in heritage preservation.

4.2. Community Engagement Process

The community engagement procedures of the two projects rely on the collaborative/community-led approach of the literature review, emphasizing active participation by residents in planning, decision-making and implementation [37]. The procedures undertake the five interconnected stages of community engagement (recognition of heritage value, involvement of stakeholders, envisioning and knowledge development, action implementation and formation of heritage community).

4.2.1. Project 1: Urban Regeneration Project for Historic Cairo (URHC) (Al-Darb Al-Ahmar Housing Rehabilitation Program, Cairo, Egypt

The proposed activities concern the improvement in the physical and socio-economic conditions of the parts of historic Cairo most affected by urban decline, taking into consideration their historical, cultural and architectural value. The Urban Regeneration for Historic Cairo project will involve a set of actions that in a simultaneous and global manner seek to impact in the area, influencing urban, economic, social, environmental and cultural aspects [31].

The goal of the community engagement initiatives in the quarter, which consists of the entire filled area northwest and east of Bab Al-Wazir—covering approximately one-fourth of the historic District as defined in this project—is to encourage a comprehensive and participatory approach to urban regeneration planning and implementation, and to catalyze the emergence of a civic platform that articulates the needs and preferences of a wide spectrum of local groups in dialogues with local and national government and with the cooperation of the international community. The project was developed in three phases:

(1)

Emergency and Pilot Phase (2001–2004): Community and requirements of community heritage were initially discovered through surveys and workshops. Community mapping, involving around 50 residents, documented building conditions and open green spaces, as per UNESCO’s HUL toolkit of community [5].

(2)

Preparation Phase (2005–2008): Capacity-building workshops and community meetings engaged 200 residents, consisting of craft and home owners, to develop a master plan. Facilitators who were trained by Aga Khan Trust assisted in communication between residents and government representatives, as recommended by Sanoff [35].

(3)

Implementation Phase (2009–present): Co-designed action projects, such as housing rehabilitation and monument restoration, were undertaken in collaboration with the community. Over 430 residents participated in quantitative surveys and 10 focus groups conducted participatory mapping to refine conservation methods.

This was pursued through a wide range of activities, implemented since July 2012, that aimed to encourage local residents to voice their opinion and needs, to strengthen local natural and human resources available for the revitalization of the area and to promote networks and coalition building among different local actors. Activities aimed to facilitate and encourage dialogue and collaboration among the various local actors and between them and the project planning team were carried out [38], and the proposed action project study area is shown in Figure 3.

Community engagement tools were applied throughout the Housing Rehabilitation Study of Historic Cairo project, considering their format, use and approach to community involvement [39]. The tools are grouped into either digital or non-digital formats, each with a brief description of their application. With an emphasis on participatory approaches, the overview focuses on tools which invite active involvement from community members rather than passive observation or contribution. Participatory approaches seek to empower communities by enabling them to voice their own needs, concerns or ambitions in relation to a project [40]. Through focusing on the study area of the project, the main target in this process is to identify issues to be addressed and planning objectives for the study area of Al-Darb Al-Ahmar, as shown Figure 4.

Tools applied throughout the project included online and paper surveys, community workshops, surveys, participatory mapping and public meetings, each with a different method of facilitation and level of community involvement.

Key Components of the Community Engagement Process in URHC:

Comprehensive Surveys and Documentation:

• Building and Open Space Inventories:

The URHC conducted extensive surveys to document the current state of buildings and open spaces in historic Cairo. This was an initial step that involved local stakeholders to get accurate information and assess the area’s needs.

Development of Guidelines:

• Training Manuals:

The project developed guides, such as “The Guidelines”, drawn up with on-the-job training from members of relevant Egyptian institutions. They are guides to assist technical staff in conducting inventories, so that professional locals are given uniform assessment criteria.

Action Project Implementation:

• Pilot Projects:

The URHC suggested action projects as models of preserving the old city in historic Cairo by rehabilitation and regeneration. The projects aimed to develop a conservation plan for historic Cairo involving physical restoration and socio-economic revitalization.

Monument and Craft Studies:

• In-Depth Analyses:

Studies focusing on monuments and traditional crafts were carried out to understand their current status and integration into the urban fabric of the city. These studies provided recommendations on conservation priorities and adaptive reuse, and highlighted the importance of preserving living traditions alongside physical structures.

Addressing Urban Violations:

• Monitoringand Intervention:

In response to the increase in illegal construction activity, the URHC has conducted systematic surveys to document violations. Engaging the community in monitoring efforts has helped to identify issues and formulate strategies to mitigate further infractions.

Heritage Signage Development:

• Awareness Initiatives:

Recognizing the role of signage in educating both residents and visitors, the URHC has developed guidelines for heritage signage. This initiative aimed to promote the city’s tangible and intangible heritage, enhancing community pride and visitor appreciation through workshops and meetings, with community engagement tools such as the following:

• Public Outreach

An awareness campaign was designed in the action sector that comprised a series of seminars, lectures and informative events, workshops. The campaign was directed towards different groups: professionals such as stakeholders and surveyors, the local community and children and youth from the community. The variety of activities undertaken served to provide examples for how awareness campaigns regarding the topic of historic Cairo can be planned in the future for the overall purpose of public outreach [41].

The successful implemented outreach data collection methods included qualitative interviews with key informants in 26 governmental and civil society organizations; a representative quantitative survey of 430 residents randomly selected from designated intervention areas; and participatory mapping with ten small-scale focus groups. The mapping scheme consists of three stages: expert mapping, public mapping and synthesis of map analysis. The results were then duly analyzed through both quantitative and thematic analyses. The initial phase embraced the objective of familiarizing the data collector with the community setting by interviewing ten trusted social figures in each separate neighborhood (five community leaders and five residents) [39] as shown in Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8.

Through workshops and interviews, residents’ memories and myths related to major heritage sites were also collected, as were their perceptions of the administration and control of major heritage sites. Relevant excerpts from interviews with citizens of the action area were organized by site and sub-organized into four categories: personal memories, popular memories, activities and control [42].

Residents were asked to identify what neighborhoods are famous for, whether in terms of wholesale or retail commercial zones or in terms of crafts and small industries. The map produced shows a concentration of activities related to furniture around Muhammad ‘Ali Street, marble around al-Mahjar, food around al-Sayyida ‘A’isha Square and car accessories and commercial fridges around Muhammad ‘Ali Square and copper in al-Ashraf Street. Interviewees also mentioned that the area of al-Khalifa in general is known for its skilled workers, particularly in the construction business and in home repairs.

4.2.2. Project 2 Process of (Community Engagement): JSPS PROJECT (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science): Project for Sustainable Conservation in the Historic Cairo/Community Development with the Participation of Local Residents

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) is an organization that promotes scientific research and exchange programs between Japan and other countries.

The project aims to promote sustainable conservation practices in the historic neighborhoods of Cairo while engaging local residents in community development. The site selected for this project was the Darb al-Ahmar neighborhood, which is one of the oldest areas in Cairo and is home to many historic sites, including mosques, palaces and houses. The neighborhood is in the heart of the city and is a hub for cultural activities, traditional crafts and tourism. The project’s objectives are as follows: (1) to promote sustainable conservation practices that are compatible with the unique heritage and history of the area; (2) to improve the living conditions of local residents through community engagement and participation in the development process; and (3) to enhance economic opportunities for local residents through cultural tourism and the revitalization of traditional crafts [34].

The project aims to understand and adaptively act on conservation challenges in the district and engage in an in-depth analysis into the issues that are currently most significantly affecting its conservation, particularly through the lens of sustainable conservation and its relatedness to community development [38], primarily through the community engagement tool approach. The process is divided into two phases, aligning with the collaborative/community-led model and emphasizing cultural heritage preservation [43].

1. Phase One (Maps, buildings and vision) 2021: In this phase, every single detail of the Souq Al-Silah street was surveyed, such as normal buildings, historical buildings, open spaces and community crafts like shops and workshops of workers. And all this was classified in categories (A, B, C, etc.) to document every meter of the street. And this process was performed by a community engagement tool with local residents.

2. Phase Two: (Community engagement tool with local residents and facilitators and stakeholders) 2022: Eight workshops, attended by 20–40 residents, addressed traffic management, refuse collection and traditional crafts. A conservation plan was developed jointly by facilitators and stakeholders, integrating resident input with expert data.

Phase One: The vision was initially schematically developed in February 2021 at the request of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouli. It was presented alongside six other proposals from different consultants for possible integration into Egypt’s plans for historic Cairo’s regeneration. Three main nodes were proposed along Souq al-Silah street, and in some locations, stretching across the surrounding urban fabric. The identification of those nodes is based on profiting off the existing concentrated activities to accommodate the functions proposed by the local community. The three nodes are as follows: 1—the craft node; 2—the gastronomy node; and 3—the cultural node. For each of these nodes, clear parameters were identified based on the readiness of and the existence of compatible activities in the proposed node. The craft node is the center of a high density of carpentry workshops. The gastronomy node branches more towards the west to cover a large section of a market street, which is well known for its food booths, cafés and little restaurants. The cultural node is defined by the existence of one of the largest monuments in the area, Bayt al-Razzaz, which could easily accommodate cultural activity workshops that are required, as expressed by the residents of the area. The areas are shown in Figure 9, Figure 10 and Figure 11.

Phase Two: This phase aimed to develop sustainable conservation in the Historic Cairo Community Development project with the participation of local residents with the Community Engagement tool through workshops in the area of study.

The workshops in Al-Darb Al-Ahmar focused on various community issues and solutions. Key topics included improving traffic management, waste collection, risk management and building maintenance. Discussions emphasized the importance of preserving historical monuments and promoting intangible heritage, like traditional crafts and performing arts. Other solutions included enhancing infrastructure, promoting sustainability and encouraging community involvement in tourism and crafts. The workshops also highlighted the need for educational initiatives, raising awareness and fostering local engagement to address challenges in the area number of tourists visiting the area and the satisfaction level of local resident. Tools applied throughout the project include online and paper surveys, community workshops, participatory mapping, interviews and public meetings, each with a different method of facilitation and level of community involvement.

Workshops: These spotlighted key community issues, with results recorded and solutions reached to developments from a community perspective.

Participatory Mapping: Residents classified activities and structures, ensuring that conservation efforts responded to community.

Interviews: Semi-structured interviews with community leaders and artisans provided qualitative data on the requirements of cultural heritage in parallel with community requirements.

Public Meetings: These enabled participation between local residents and facilitators in planning cultural heritage and urban spaces for sustainable development.

These tools were selected for more active interaction between the community and cultural heritage, which aligns with the UNESCO emphasis on tangible and intangible heritage [10].

Key Components of the Community Engagement Process in JSPS:

Step 1: Survey and Assessment: This was performed by listing historic monuments, carried out in depth by a team of Japanese and Egyptian people in Cairo, with architects and translators; writing construction standards for extensions, renovations and new constructions on the basis of Nouh’s decision; and consideration of the method of the participation of residents.

Step 2: Needs Assessment: This was an evaluation of the need for evaluation to identify the needs and tastes of residents. This was performed through participation work with community leaders, elders, women and youths to ensure that everyone’s voice was heard.

Step 3: Conservation Plan: Based on the findings of the survey and assessment, the project team developed a conservation plan that addressed the cultural, social and economic needs of the community. The plan was designed to promote sustainable conservation practices and prioritize local community participation in the conservation process.

Step 4: Development Planning: In parallel with the maintenance plan, a development plan was also developed. The plan was to improve the living conditions of local residents through community involvement and participation in the development process.

Step 5: Capacity Building Workshops: Capacity-building workshops were conducted to train local people in skills such as tourism, marketing and cultural heritage protection. These workshops helped local people to effectively participate in the project and benefit from the economic opportunities it created.

Step 6: Implementation: During the implementation phase of the project, the conservation plan was implemented in collaboration with local NGOs and government agencies. The project team worked closely with local people to ensure that the conservation plan met their needs and priorities.

Step 7: Monitoring and Evaluation: The final step in the JSPS community engagement tool process was to create a monitoring and evaluation system to assess the impact of the project on the local community. This included monitoring key indicators such as the number of jobs created and the topics discussed, and Table 1 shows samples of every detail and outcome of the workshops. Figure 12, Figure 13, Figure 14, Figure 15, Figure 16, Figure 17, Figure 18 and Figure 19 show a sample of workshops for the Al-Darb Al-Ahmar Housing Rehabilitation Program [26].

4.3. Data Collection

Multiple qualitative methods were used to ensure triangulation:

1 Workshop: Resident inputs (26 workshops across both projects) were captured via facilitator notes, maps (visual outputs) and reports.

2 Interviews: Semi-structured interviews and meetings with stakeholders, facilitators and residents, with 26 key informants in the URHC (community leaders and artisans) and 15 in the JSPS, produced qualitative data on heritage values.

3 Surveys: Quantitative data from 430 URHC respondents and 100 JSPS participants illustrated the community shape (70% of URHC participants said their home ownership had increased).

4 Public Meetings: Discussions and public feedback informed project planning (e.g., 10 focus groups in the URHC).

5 Participatory mapping: Community members generated maps documenting urban heritage sites in Souq El-Silah and Al-Darb Al-Ahmar and performed archival document analysis (local resident and facilitator reports, workshop notes from the community, planning materials and outcomes of the workshop).

6 Photos: The photos act as documentation from the published reports of the two projects.

This methodological approach is informed by the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) strategy promoted by UNESCO, which emphasizes community engagement and inter-disciplinary approaches. It is also informed by participatory planning theories that emphasize the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement in the production of equitable conservation outcomes. Participants were provided with study information, including an invitation to participate and a description of the study, and participation in the study was contingent on informed consent. By using both qualitative and quantitative methods, we obtained a holistic understanding of community engagement outcomes.

4.4. Data Analysis

Thematic qualitative analysis (workshop notes, interview transcripts and mapping outputs) was used to identify patterns of engagement, using Braun and Clarke’s guide [45]. Exploration was aimed at engagement tools, levels of participation and project outcomes. Data from different sources were triangulated for consistency [32]. This involved the following:

1. Coding: Acknowledge concepts such as heritage preservation, sense of ownership and economic sustainability.

2. Categorization: Sort themes according to the project stage and the level of community involvement (consultative or collaborative).

3. Synthesis: Address research questions by contrasting themes from the two case studies.

Quantitative survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to quantify community engagement levels and resident satisfaction according to their needs (78% survey response rate in the URHC). The integration of findings occurred during the synthesis phase, which produced a comparative overview of project outcomes (see Table 1).

4.5. Ethical Considerations

Verbal or written informed consent from all participants was obtained through reports that were prepared, which one can obtain access to through UNESCO, ICOMOS and the Cairo Governorate reports. The following steps were taken:

1 Variety in Sampling: Engaging a broad range of residents (homeowners, artisans, youths, women and men) to capture varied perspectives.

2 Triangulation: Using multiple large data sources (workshops, surveys and interviews) to validate several outcomes and findings.

3 Facilitator Training: Ensuring facilitators were well trained to avoid leading questions or influencing responses.

These measures enhanced the study’s credibility and transparency.

4.6. Validity and Reliability

To enhance credibility, triangulation was applied across interviews, mapping results and archival sources. A subset of interviews was double-coded to confirm thematic consistency. Member-checking was conducted with community stakeholders. Validity strategies followed recommendations [46] using triangulation and member-checking to enhance trustworthiness.

4.7. Justification of Methodological Decisions

The qualitative case study methodology was used because of its potential to capture the subtle dynamics of community participation in heritage preservation [36]. The selection of URHC and JSPS projects was warranted due to their congruence with UNESCO’s HUL framework and their focus on conservation led by the community, giving strong cases for comparison. The use of mixed data collection instruments (workshops, surveys, interviews and mapping) ensured triangulation, hence the validity of the findings. Thematic analysis was selected due to its flexibility to capture emergent themes, and descriptive statistics were used to ensure empirical rigor for quantitative data. These are standard in urban studies and heritage conservation research [47], and they ensure compliance with disciplinary standards. The collaborative/community-led model was used rather than tokenistic or consultative methods to empower residents.

4.8. Limitations

This study is limited to two heritage-focused case studies in Cairo, which may affect generalizability. However, the rich, contextualized findings provide transferable insights into similar heritage settings across the Global South.

5. Results

After exploring and examining the two case studies, we can see how vital community engagement tools are for conserving heritage sites in a sustainable way. The results emphasize several key points: involving the community, ensuring there are legal protections in place, promoting economic sustainability and using adaptive reuse strategies. All these elements are essential for the long-term preservation of our cultural heritage [48].

Urban Regeneration Project for Historic Cairo (URHC), (Al-Darb Al-Ahmar Housing Rehabilitation Program, Cairo, Egypt.

This project identified significant gaps in law enforcement, including loopholes and weak community participation in decision-making. The results of the project were notable, which shows the importance of the following key methods:

Community engagement tools and participation models.

The project was fully integrated with community engagement tools, including:

Community mapping and documentation surveys for existing buildings on the heritage site.

Public meetings and stakeholder discussions with local residents and facilitators.

These methods empowered the local residents, giving them an active role in the decision-making process and ensuring long-term commitment to conservation efforts.

5.1. Community Participation Levels

Communities, including local residents, homeowners and artisans, were engaged in the process of planning and conservation [49]. In total, 70% of participants showed an increased sense of ownership after engaging in rehabilitation projects. Direct engagement in workshops helped fill gaps between stakeholders and the community, which shows that some community members were initially hesitant due to a lack of understanding of heritage value [50].

5.2. Types of Engagement Tools Used

Residents were trained in heritage restoration techniques with workshops and training programs. Community members helped document historic buildings and urban conditions through participatory mapping and surveys [51]. Residents discussed housing issues, waste management and economic revitalization strategies with public meetings and consultative sessions:

Stronger Legal Protection

This project identified gaps in law enforcement, leading to unauthorized demolitions and weak urban policies. Proposed solutions include the following:

Severe penalties for unauthorized modifications and demolitions.

Financial incentives for owners of historical buildings to preserve them sustainably.

Integrating urban planning and urban design, aligning heritage preservation with modern planning policies.

Housing, Infrastructure and Mobility Improvements:

This project restored more than 200 historical buildings, prioritizing rehabilitation over demolition.

Key urban enhancements included the following:

Preserving the historical architectural identity of the neighborhood.

Improved waste management systems of heritage sites.

Improved traffic organization and pedestrian-friendly areas for raising the awareness of local residents.

Beautified public spaces (planting trees, street lighting and signage), and designing urban spaces for community gatherings.

The project enhanced livability, reduced congestion and preserved the architectural identity of the site.

Economic and Social Sustainability:

This project promoted heritage-based economic development, supporting the following:

Traditional artisans and craftsmen were supported through workshops with skill training programs to preserve traditional crafts of the site.

Microfinance for small projects based on heritage crafts, culture bazaars and tourism to attract visitors from other sites.

The initiative created jobs and has shown that community-led conservation enhances the economic sustainability of heritage sites.

5.3. Adaptive Reuse for Long-Term Sustainability

Several historic buildings were repurposed as public spaces, educational centers and economic hubs for sustainable cultural engagement that helps the community, ensuring the following:

Sustained community engagement and local productivity that helps the community.

Economic viability through mixed-use heritage sites.

Preservation of cultural identity while serving the modern needs of the community.

Properly managed Awqaf properties can be heritage sites, cultural centers or revenue-generating entities that finance further conservation efforts [52].

JSPS Project—Souq El-Silah Sustainable Conservation and Community Development

Mapping and Documentation for Evidence-Based Conservation.

A detailed mapping survey classified the following: structures, buildings, open spaces, building functions, workshops and historical landmarks.

Improving residents’ historical knowledge of residents was integrated into the documentation efforts.

These data ensured that restoration efforts were scientifically grounded and responsive to community needs. And this approach established a baseline for monitoring changes and provided a scientific foundation for planning future restoration efforts and building a strong bond between the community, facilitators and stakeholders [53].

Community-Led Workshops and Public Participation.

The project adopted a bottom-up approach, using workshops, interviews and participatory planning to involve residents and stakeholders.

The workshops were wealthy, with a lot of topics focused on waste management and environmental sustainability, traffic flow optimization and infrastructure planning, and preserving and revitalizing traditional crafts and businesses. Residents co-created conservation solutions, ensuring that the success of the project was based on local needs and the priorities of the local residents.

Community Participation Levels.

Residents played an active role in conservation planning, including homeowners, facilitators and stakeholders [54]. There was lower initial participation due to economic challenges but increased engagement through awareness campaigns. The project’s emphasis on cultural heritage motivated artisans to contribute their expertise in traditional crafts and storytelling.

Types of Engagement Tools Used.

A community-led approach was employed with local residents, homeowners, facilitators and stakeholders in planning and conservation. Participatory mapping and documentation were performed with local residents who assisted in historical data collection and building condition assessments. Workshop sessions focused on community issues and heritage sites.

Preserving Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Unlike URHC, which focused on physical restoration, JSPS placed greater emphasis on sustainable cultural heritage preservation:

Adaptive reuse of selected historical buildings as a part of sustainability.

Reuse of some historical buildings for the same functions as part of community needs.

Traditional crafts (woodworking, metalwork and textile-making) were revitalized as a part of cultural heritage.

Oral histories and storytelling traditions were documented as a part of understanding the community’s thoughts and beliefs.

Cultural events were organized to promote local heritage. And the project has shown that heritage conservation extends beyond physical structures to include living traditions and social practices.

Enhancing Public Spaces and Tourism Enhancement.

Specific areas were designated as pedestrian-friendly cultural hubs for community activities, including the following:

Craft workshops and exhibitions for artisans who are experts in heritage crafts of the site.

Cultural tourism programs aimed at engaging visitors with historic narratives and storytelling.

Community public spaces for events, performances and education for children.

The project linked tourism and conservation growth for integration, ensuring economic sustainability for local businesses.

Monitoring and Evaluation for Sustainable Conservation.

A continuous feedback mechanism with the community and stakeholders was put in place through the following:

Interviews and focus groups with local residents.

Participatory mapping to track progress with stakeholders.

Quantitative and qualitative assessments to refine conservation efforts through maps with the community and facilitators.

The project proved that long-term engagement and monitoring are essential for sustaining conservation outcomes. According to the results of the two projects, a comparative overview of the projects’ outcomes is shown in Figure 20 and

Table 2. Comparative overview of projects [24,31].

Key Themes	Project 1: URHC (Al-Darb Al-Ahmar)	Project 2: JSPS (Souq El-Silah)
Legal and Planning Framework.	Strengthened urban conservation policies.	Integrated legal reforms into planning decisions.
Community Engagement level.	High engagement in planning and decision-making.	Gradual increase due to cultural initiatives.
Engagement Tools.	Workshops, mapping and public meetings.	Workshops, public meetings, participatory mapping and documentation.
Community Engagement.	Stakeholders, local residents and facilitators	Stakeholders, local residents and facilitators
Main Challenges.	Weak enforcement, financial constraints.	Funding shortages, planning integration issues.
Urban Impact.	Restored homes, improved the economy and infrastructure.	Strengthened tourism, revitalized crafts and public space enhancement.
Economic Sustainability.	Supported artisans, heritage tourism and microfinance.	Linked conservation with craft businesses and tourism.
Intangible Heritage.	Focused on physical restoration.	Focused on physical restoration and cultural heritage sustainable preservation (tangible and intangible) preservation.
Cultural Preservation.	Focused on adaptive reuse of historic buildings.	Emphasized preservation of tangible and intangible heritage.
Monitoring and Evaluation.	Limited ongoing assessment.	Continuous community-led evaluation.

.

5.4. Comparative Overview

The results are compiled in Table 2 according to major themes, emphasizing the JSPS’s emphasis on cultural heritage and the URHC’s emphasis on physical restoration. While the JSPS’s ongoing monitoring provides a model for long-term impact, both projects show improvements due to community involvement.

The comparative analysis of both projects highlights several thematic outcomes, which are summarized as follows.

The results from two projects, the URHC and JSPS, clearly demonstrate that community engagement is an important foundational element for achieving effective and sustainable heritage conservation for heritage sites [55]. Despite variations and variety in approach, both studies used participatory tools, such as community mapping, workshops and inclusive planning sessions, that successfully empowered local residents and stakeholders and integrated their knowledge into conservation for sustainable urban development. Moreover, the findings underscore the importance of aligning all legal frameworks, promoting economic sustainability through heritage-based livelihoods, and valuing intangible cultural assets such as cultural crafts and oral histories [49].These outcomes show and demonstrate the worth of an interdisciplinary approach combined with social, legal, cultural and spatial dimensions in heritage planning and conservation. By incorporating local agency into each stage of the process, both interventions not only enhanced the physical texture of historic Cairo but also enabled cultural identity, facilitated economic resilience and contributed to the promotion of long-term social cohesion [56]. They affirm new research supporting community-led conservation policies in ancient urban environments [24,25].

6. Discussion

The results of this study confirm that community engagement is a key driver of sustainable urban development in historic districts. Both the Urban Regeneration Project for Historic Cairo and the Al-Darb Al-Ahmar Rehabilitation Program prove that successful urban conservation is holistic and community-based [57]. This research emphasizes the integration of urban renewal with social, economic and cultural development as the foundation of sustainable conservation [10]. The two case studies demonstrated that a bottom-up [48], community-led approach enhances heritage conservation efforts. Unlike traditional top-down approaches, where authorities lead conservation efforts with minimal public involvement, the URHC and JSPS projects empowered communities to become active in decision-making implementation, fostering local ownership and strengthening social and economic sustainability.

6.1. The Role of Community Engagement in Sustainable Urban Development

Both projects successfully empowered local residents, shifting them from passive beneficiaries to active stakeholders in the conservation process. The engagement strategies used (workshops, participatory planning and skill-building activities) ensured that voices from the community were integrated into policy and decision-making. The sense of ownership and responsibility fostered through community engagement contributed to the long-term sustainability of heritage conservation efforts. The study supports UNESCO’s Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) framework, emphasizing that conservation should be integrated with socio-economic and environmental policies [10].

In the URHC project, around 70% of 430 surveyed residents reported an increased sense of ownership through tools of community engagement such as workshops and public meetings that integrated their input into planning. Similarly, the JSPS’s workshops engaged almost 150 residents, with 80% attendance, which increased community engagement in cultural preservation. And all these outcomes are supported by Sanoff’s [35] argument that participatory methods enhance local commitment to urban regeneration. In order to balance conservation with socioeconomic demands, the collaborative/community-led model enabled locals to co-design solutions, such as pedestrian-friendly zones in the URHC and cultural hubs in the JSPS [43].

6.2. Key Strategies for Effective Community Engagement

The success of the projects was largely due to well-structured engagement strategies, including the following:

(a)

Workshops and Training Sessions: The URHC trained around 200 local residents in conservation techniques and urban planning principles with the help of facilitators, while the JSPS provided eight workshops, and these align with UNESCO’s HUL toolkit.

(b)

Participatory Planning and Decision-Making: This enabled local residents to propose and refine conservation initiatives in collaboration with facilitators and stakeholder meetings.

(c)

Cultural and Economic Revitalization: This involved promoting heritage tourism, local crafts and entrepreneurship to sustain conservation efforts in heritage areas. The URHC’s microfinance for 50 businesses and the JSPS’s cultural events for 500 visitors (Section 4) promoted heritage tourism, as advocated by Sanoff [35].

Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings: This involved transforming historic sites into functional public spaces, ensuring their preservation while meeting modern urban needs and repurposing old buildings for the same or different functions to meet community needs. The URHC reused 15 buildings as community centers for Al-Darb Al-Ahmar, and the JSPS converted 10 buildings into cultural hubs.

6.3. Challenges and Opportunities for Improvement

Notwithstanding the successes and achievements, both projects faced challenges and issues that must be resolved in future conservation efforts for more effective and efficient outcomes:

Weaknesses:

Both projects (the URHC and JSPS) highlighted the weak enforcement of urban policies, gaps, funding shortages and weaknesses in legal enforcement, especially in preventing illegal modifications and demolitions. Stricter laws and monitoring systems and tools are required to ensure compliance, as recommended by Carmona [47].

Economic Sustainability:

Due to their reliance on outside funding, neither project was scalable. According to [47], the URHC’s microfinance helped 50 businesses, but more funding is required for job and education initiatives. Although the USD 50,000 in tourism revenue from the JSPS shows promise, long-term financing models like public–private partnerships could improve economic viability.

Scaling Community Engagement Efforts:

Workshops and mapping were effective, but their reach was limited, so expanding the use of digital tools (online platforms, virtual mapping and e-consultations) may help public involvement in historic preservation for a successful updated community engagement approach to increase alignment with UNESCO’s model [10].

This study confirms that community engagement is a key driver of sustainable heritage conservation. Al-Darb Al-Ahmar and Souq El-Silah’s results show how effective community engagement is as a tool for sustainable heritage conservation. By involving local stakeholders, decision-makers (local residents) and facilitators, urban regeneration projects can achieve both cultural preservation and economic revitalization. This underlines once more how long-term sustainability and better local identity in historic areas result from bottom-up, community-driven initiatives.

Overall, both of these case studies confirm the idea that the preservation of heritage can never be separated from the populace residing within it. The evidence confirms once more that bottom-up involvement, where properly supported by legal, cultural and economic provisions, produces more sustainable and more authentic outcomes. What renders these projects unique is not necessarily the physical reconstruction achieved, but how local opinion helped shape the direction of the work itself. This study adds to the wider literature regarding community-led urban heritage conservation in showing how everyday life-based participatory practices that are supported by democratic planning are able to bring long-term value to place and people [24,25]. Future conservation models can learn from these experiences through further integrating local knowledge into the governance model and by developing tools that are adaptive to shifting community requirements.

7. Limitations

This study is based on two case studies in historic Cairo and is therefore not representative of all heritage sites. The findings also relied upon qualitative methods, which yield depth but limit quantifiable testing. Future research could include the potential to expand into comparative analysis across other regions and employing mixed-methodologies techniques.

Future projects should focus on the following:

(a)

Improve legal frameworks and systems to protect and more successfully help effectively save places.

(b)

Create creative digital interaction tools to encourage public involvement.

(c)

Enhance systems of financial assistance for nearby companies and artists.

Historic Cairo may retain a dynamic, living legacy for future generations by means of improved engagement tactics and guaranteed ongoing cooperation between local communities, government and conservation professionals.

Future studies should perform the following:

(1)

Apply mixed-method approaches to combine qualitative depth with statistical robustness.

(2)

Expand the geographic scope to include comparative projects in other Middle Eastern or international urban historical sites.

(3)

Examine new digital engagement tools and their effectiveness in heritage contexts in a sustainable way.

All these expansions would empower the forces and impact of community engagement-based conservation research.

Both of the case studies used the key components of a community-led engagement process and five interconnected phases to achieve a community engagement process as a main tool for the successful urban conservation of heritage sites.

This exploration showed the significance of community engagement in sustainable urban development and heritage conservation in historic Cairo by using two case studies: Al-Darb Al-Ahmar (URHC) and Souq El-Silah (JSPS Project). Both were able to engage local residents in decision-making with stakeholders and facilitators and implementation, resulting in economic revival, culture preservation and social cohesion. With participatory workshops, capacity-building schemes and adaptive reuse tactics, the projects ensured long-term viability, affirming that bottom-up, locally led approaches produce enduring and profound inputs to the preservation of heritage, as well as achieving the main target of involving the community in decisions regarding the development of a historical site for sustainable development because they belong to this heritage and are part of its development.

8. Conclusions

The Urban Renewal Project for Historic Cairo (URHC) and the Souq El-Silah project are testimony to the potential for community involvement to change the practice of heritage conservation. Both initiatives demonstrated the important contribution of involving local residents and stakeholders in each step of the conservation process through bottom-up, community-driven approaches. The use of participative tools such as workshops, mapping and planning not only helps to preserve physical heritage sites, but also promotes a sense of ownership, cultural identity and social solidarity within the community.

The two case studies once again underscore the need for the adoption of an inter-disciplinary and integrated approach to urban conservation bridging legal frameworks, economic interventions and cultural conservation with the participation of people. In the URHC, the adaptive reuse emphasis on economic sustainability and infrastructure development with artisan support and microfinance intervention has conserved historic Cairo’s architectural heritage, as well as its local economy. Similarly, for long-term intangible cultural heritage conservation sustainability, as in the JSPS project, the conservation of traditional crafts and oral tradition has proven to be equally crucial.

The case studies highlight the findings that the efficient conservation of heritage is not simply the conservation of buildings but building a long-term sustainable relationship between the built environment and residents. Legal reforms, economic rewards and the consistent participation of residents are central in guaranteeing long-term impacts for conservation measures. Additionally, the achievements in the utilization of community-centered approaches in these projects also affirm the need to further conduct studies and implement in practice these approaches in other urban heritage settings.

This research contributes to growing evidence supporting community-based conservation that demonstrates the sustainable preservation of heritage to be grounded in local knowledge, aspirations and needs. It highlights that where communities are enabled to make their heritage’s future, the results are more authentic, robust and lasting. Through the sustainable alignment of community participation with larger socio-economic and environmental objectives, the conservation of heritage can indeed be an inspiration for sustainable city growth. This research offers valuable lessons to policymakers, urban planners and conservation practitioners, requiring the employment of participatory approaches as the core of the worldwide heritage conservation mission.