Despite its rapid expansion in Cairo Faces – A severe shortage of public parks and green spaces. Historical trends in the city have priority Commercial infrastructure, highways, and large-scale real estate projects have been forgotten, while the vital role that parks and recreational areas play in promoting health and sustainability has been forgotten.
Current statistics reveal a stark reality: Cairo Owns Only 0.74 square meters of green space per person, which is much less than the area set by the World Health Organization Recommended A minimum of nine square meters per resident – an amount considered necessary to support essential public health benefits such as physical activity, mental well-being, and environmental quality – with an ideal target closer to 50 square meters per person to maximize these urban health and environmental benefits.
the loss The existence of more than 2.1 million square meters of green space since 2006 shows the urgency of this crisis, especially when considering the public health implications. Research has consistently shown Access to parks and green spaces has a direct impact on physical health.
Why are green spaces so rare in Cairo?
Part of the challenge lies in geography and economics. Egypt is a mostly desert country that retains large green areas requires Irrigation, infrastructure and long-term finance.
Unlike cities that are located in temperate climates with heavy rainfall, Cairo should be like that maintain Its gardens are maintained through artificial irrigation systems, making urban green spaces more resource-intensive.
However, urban planners He argues This challenge does not make gardens unrealistic; Rather, it highlights the importance of designing effective and sustainable green spaces.
This means that although large, waterlogged lawns may not always be possible, carefully designed parks using drought-tolerant plants, shaded walkways, and tree canopies can provide significant benefits to residents.
In other words, the question is not whether Cairo can afford parks, but whether it can afford the long-term social and health costs of living without them.
The role of urban planning and development priorities
Another reason for the lack of green spaces in Cairo lies in the city’s development priorities over the past several decades.
Urban planning often to focus To expand roads, bridges, commercial areas, and large real estate projects designed to accommodate population growth and economic activity.
A clear example of this trend is what happened in the Heliopolis area in eastern Cairo, where there were approximately 2,500 trees. It has been removed Between 2019 and 2020 during road and bridge expansion projects. These projects were largely related to infrastructure designed to improve traffic flow and connect Cairo more efficiently to the New Administrative Capital.
Therefore, the development path of Cairo has changed It got worse Access to these vital resources; For example, the 2022 study of Al-Azhar University Found 40 of the 57 parks studied have become less accessible due to road and bridge expansions, which have increased walking distances for residents.
In addition, over several decades, from the mid-twentieth century to the early twenty-first century, Azbakeya Park emerged lost Between 60% and 80% of its original area is due to ongoing urbanization and infrastructure initiatives, illustrating how green spaces are often viewed as expendable urban infrastructure rather than essential infrastructure.
This is intentional Reuse The allocation of park and public garden areas for development purposes has led to a worrying trend of depletion of green spaces across Cairo.
If Cairo needed proof that green spaces can transform urban life, it already has it. Al-Azhar Park, open In 2005 on a former landfill site, it demonstrates the powerful impact a well-designed park can have on a city.
The park’s area is about 74 acres becomes One of Cairo’s most beloved public spaces that attracts residents and tourists alike looking for a break from the city’s intensity. However, the popularity of Al-Azhar Park also highlights the broader problem: parks of this size remain rare exceptions rather than the norm in Cairo’s urban landscape.
Restoring public spaces in Cairo
According to According to a 2018 study by the National University of Singapore, communities with accessible parks report higher levels of physical activity, leading to measurable reductions in obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Gardens too He encourages Outdoor recreation, promoting activities such as walking, running and cycling, which contribute significantly to healthier lifestyles.
Unlike malls, which are primarily for consumption, parks provide spaces where people can engage in activities beneficial to their well-being.
Besides physical health, it is important to focus on the mental health benefits associated with green spaces.
Urban health research Highlights There is a strong link between access to nature and mental health. Connection to green environments reduces stress hormones, reduces anxiety levels, boosts mood, and improves cognitive performance, 2019 study conducted by Scientific Reports. He appears.
Hence the gardens We are It is vital for mental health, and provides a necessary escape from the chronic stressors of life in a dense city like Cairo. They provide residents with opportunities to relax, socialize, and recover from mental fatigue, which are essential elements for maintaining mental health in fast-paced urban environments.
Highly environmental sustainability Amplifies The importance of parks in Cairo.
Urban green spaces are crucial to improving air quality and mitigating pollution, which is essential urgent A concern in a city where heavy traffic and dense construction exacerbate hazardous environmental conditions.
Gardens too Absorption Nitrogen dioxide and filter out airborne pollutants which directly contribute to cleaner, healthier urban air.
Thus, incorporating green spaces is essential to create healthier living environments in cities with severe air pollution challenges.
Moreover, there are gardens pivotal In combating the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon in which cities experience temperatures much higher than their surrounding areas due to the predominance of concrete and asphalt.
Factors contributing to this effect include heat absorption by buildings during the day and heat retention by paved surfaces at night.
Green spaces Confrontation This problem is achieved by providing shade and lowering local temperatures. In cities like Cairo, where extreme heat poses significant health risks, the cooling effects of gardens become crucial to residents’ well-being.
Parks can also create social cohesion and weave a community together.
Picture this: crowded public parks transformed into lively social centers, where families gather and seniors soak up the sun. These green oases become the heart of the community, hosting events that foster connectivity between neighborhoods and spark interactions among Cairo’s diverse residents.
Cairenes can then come together to play, celebrate and form lasting bonds. In conversations with both seniors and youth, many expressed a simple desire to have places where they could relax, meet friends and neighbors, and reconnect with nature; Places that provide a feeling of calm away from the density of the city.
These insights highlight that such spaces are not only useful, but vital to fostering a sense of belonging and well-being.
A personal reflection on what Cairo is missing
Growing up in a city like Cairo, it’s easy to forget how green public spaces can be.
The shaded bench under a tree and the grass field where children can play soccer, or the quiet park where friends can sit and talk, may seem small, but these spaces shape how people experience their city.
During my visits to many cities in Europe, including Amsterdam, Helsinki, Cologne, and Odessa, I noticed that public parks were designed for people of all ages and social classes to coexist, socialize, and rejuvenate.
In Cairo, where daily life seems fast-paced and confusing, these spaces can serve as a refuge for both individuals and communities.
Finally, beyond the physical benefits, these lush green environments brighten our world and nourish our mental health.
They invite us to get outside, breathe deeply, connect with each other, and cultivate a community that thrives on shared experiences and meaningful relationships.
They are more than just green spots; They are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods that bring us closer together.
The opinions and ideas expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Egyptian Streets editorial team.
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