I work as a professor of Urban Renewal and Urban Conservation in the Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Egypt. I am interested in urban conservation and the conservation of architectural heritage. I am also interested in subjects such as heritage management, history of architecture and traditional architecture. Supervisors: Yasser Galal El-Din Aref, Ralph G. Skea, Laila Ahmed Moharram, and Abdallah Ahmed Al-Erian Address: 23 Alphrid Liean Street
Roshdi
Alexandria 21311
Arab Republic of Egypt
Vernacular and Earthen Architecture: Conservation and Sustainability
ABSTRACT: A vigorous nomination of properties representing vernacular and recent heritage for lis... more ABSTRACT: A vigorous nomination of properties representing vernacular and recent heritage for listing as World Heritage Sites has been motivated by the finding of the under-representativity of the previous two pat-terns on the World Heritage List, WHL. The projects that Hassan Fathy designed in Egypt, particularly New Gourna Village, are significant examples of the previous two patterns that enjoy exceptional heritage qualities. One of the major aspects that contribute to New Gourna’s exceptional heritage qualities is the humane consid-erations in Hassan Fathy’s design. Nevertheless, none of the projects that Hassan Fathy designed has been in-scribed as a World Heritage Site, WHS. The main aim of this study was to discuss the contribution of Hassan Fathy’s humane considerations in design to the outstanding significance of New Gourna. This study also aimed at discussing the potential criteria that can be adopted to justify New Gourna’s Outstanding Universal Value on the basis of the humane considerations in its design. The previous aims were achieved by means of a thorough exploration of the humane considerations in Hassan Fathy’s design of New Gourna. The findings re-vealed the significant contribution of Hassan Fathy’s humane considerations in the design of New Gourna to its outstanding universal significance. The study recommends adopting the World Heritage Centre’s criterion (i) to justify New Gourna’s Outstanding Universal Value, OUV, on the basis of the humane considerations in its design.
The finding of the under-representativity of 20 th century heritage properties on the World Herit... more The finding of the under-representativity of 20 th century heritage properties on the World Heritage List urged many States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to nominate heritage properties representing this pattern for listing as World Heritage Sites. One of these properties is Paimio Hospital in Finland designed by Alvar Aalto. One of the major themes that have been adopted to justify the hospital's Outstanding Universal Value is the humane considerations in Alvar Aalto's design. The main aim of this study was to explore the common themes and criteria that have been frequently adopted to justify the Outstanding Universal Value of 20 th century heritage properties. The study also aimed at discussing the humane considerations in Alvar Aalto's design of Paimio Hospital and the relevance of these considerations to the justifications of the outstanding significance of Hassan Fathy's heritage in Egypt. To achieve the previous aims, seven case studies representing recent heritage were adopted for the analysis of the common themes and criteria adopted to justify the Outstanding Universal Value of recent heritage. One of the previous case studies, which is Paimio Hospital, was adopted for a further analysis of the humane considerations in its design. The findings revealed the diverse humane considerations in Alvar Aalto's design of Paimio Hospital. The findings also revealed that criterion (i) is one of the most frequently adopted criteria to justify the Outstanding Universal Value of 20 th century heritage properties. The study suggests that humane considerations in architecture can also be adopted to justify the outstanding significance of Hassan Fathy's heritage in Egypt.
Nominating heritage properties for listing as World Heritage Sites has become more challenging wi... more Nominating heritage properties for listing as World Heritage Sites has become more challenging with the advent of the Operational Guidelines of 2005 that have construed the prerequisites of the Global Strategy. According to the Guidelines of 2005, States Parties, to the World Heritage Convention, are urged to nominate properties for listing as World Heritage Sites that fall under particular under-represented heritage categories and are requested to verify the availability of the legislative and regulatory measures that guarantee the protection of these properties. The main aim of this paper was to evaluate the influences of the Global Strategy on the conventional legislative and regulatory measures that were used before the adoption of the Global Strategy to support nominations for listing properties as World Heritage Sites. The empirical study approached this issue by selecting a non-probability purposive sample of eight British World Heritage Sites that represent the pre-Global Strategy and the post-Global Strategy World Heritage Sites. Developing and analyzing a database of the data provided by the management plans of the selected case studies was the research tool that was adopted to conduct the empirical study. The most significant finding of this study unveiled the very limited influences of the Global Strategy on the conventional legislative and regulatory measures that were used earlier to support nominations of heritage properties for listing as World Heritage Sites. The study suggests replacing the inefficient non-statutory mechanisms that are used to provide protection for the heritage properties in the adopted case studies by further developed statutory ones.
Despite its location inside the World Heritage Site in Luxor, New Gourna Village has never been r... more Despite its location inside the World Heritage Site in Luxor, New Gourna Village has never been recognized as one of the elements that contribute to the World Heritage Site's Outstanding Universal Value. In order to consider New Gourna among the World Heritage Site's contributing elements, it should enjoy an Outstanding Universal Value and should also satisfy the conditions of authenticity and integrity. The aim of this study was to scrutinize the possibility to recognize New Gourna as one of the elements that contribute to the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site in Luxor. The previous aim was achieved by evaluating the level of significance of the heritage values that New Gourna enjoys, as well as their authenticity and integrity, using a proposed methodology. According to this methodology, the level of significance of the values that New Gourna enjoys was evaluated against a list of criteria that were largely derived from the world heritage criteria. Another methodology, which was based on the Operational Guidelines' definitions of authenticity and integrity, was used to evaluate the authenticity and integrity of the village. The findings revealed the significant contribution of New Gourna towards the World Heritage Site's Outstanding Universal Value despite the decline of the village's authenticity and integrity. The continuous demolition of the buildings designed by Hassan Fathy in the village and the replacement of these buildings by modern concrete buildings represent the major aspect that emphasizes the decline of the authenticity of New Gourna. On the other hand, the decline of the physical condition of the few remaining earthen buildings designed by Hassan Fathy in the village is the main aspect that emphasizes the decline of the village's integrity. The study suggests revising the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site in Luxor so as to recognize New Gourna among its contributing elements and to undertake all the possible measures to preserve New Gourna.
Influences exerted by cultural heritage properties on developments in architecture, town planning... more Influences exerted by cultural heritage properties on developments in architecture, town planning, or landscape design represent one of the criteria that are used to evaluate the Outstanding Universal Value of the properties nominated for listing as World Heritage Sites, which is criterion (ii). In 1996, the wording of criterion (ii) was revised to address the interchange of human values exhibited by cultural heritage properties. The main aim of this study was to discuss the changes that occurred to the application of criterion (ii) following the revision of its wording of 1996, particularly in relation to historic towns. The study also aimed at investigating the applicability of the revised version of criterion (ii) to the particularity of the cultural heritage of an Egyptian historic town and a potential World Heritage Site, which is “Historic quarters and monuments of Rosetta/Rachid”. To achieve these aims, a sample of World Heritage Sites, or potential ones, representing both th...
Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2010): "Integrity and/or Authenticity: The Potential Challenges Facin... more Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2010): "Integrity and/or Authenticity: The Potential Challenges Facing the Nomination of Historic Towns for Inscription on the World Heritage List" in HERITY Italia: Measuring the Value of Material Cultural Heritage, 2nd HERITY International Conference, Measuring the Value of Material Cultural Heritage, December 3 – 5, 2008 Rome. Rome: DRI – Fondazione Enotria ONLUS, pp. 77-88. Abstract Nominating cultural properties for inscription on the World Heritage List has become more challenging with the implementation of the amendments of the Operational Guidelines of 2005, concerning the conditions of integrity and authenticity. According to these amendments, satisfying the conditions of integrity has become a prerequisite for cultural properties to qualify for a World Heritage Site status. Historic towns, the well-represented pattern of cultural heritage, encounter a myriad of challenges threatening their authenticity and integrity. An example of such properties is Rosetta, which is an Egyptian potential World Heritage Site. The city suffers from the prevalence of unsympathetic new developments that detract from its authentic spirit. Threats to the integrity of the property include the declining number of the city's scheduled Antiquities, which represent the key element expressing the outstanding value of the property, and the declining quality of the few remaining Antiquities. The purpose of the study was to examine the influences of the strict control of new development on the integrity and authenticity of historic towns. The study approached the issue by means of a comparative analysis conducted between the two properties of "Old and New Towns of Edinburgh" and "Historic quarters and monuments of Rosetta/Rachid". The former is a British inscribed property, while the latter is a potential Egyptian one. The findings emphasized the positive contribution of the strict control of new development towards the authenticity and integrity of historic towns. The results seem to suggest the need to adopt all the available tools involved with controlling the quality of new urban development inside Rosetta to reconstruct the historic sense of the city.
Professions, like nations, keep their shape by moulding their members' citizens understanding of ... more Professions, like nations, keep their shape by moulding their members' citizens understanding of the past; causing them to forget those events which do not accord with a righteous image, while keeping alive those memories that do.
Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2011): Modern Heritage in Egypt: Significance and Outstanding Potentials: ... more Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2011): Modern Heritage in Egypt: Significance and Outstanding Potentials: Presentation at Suomenlinna World Heritage Site, Helsinki, 1, June.
Identifying properties representing the 19th and 20th century heritage for the nomination for the... more Identifying properties representing the 19th and 20th century heritage for the nomination for the World Heritage Site status has long challenged developing States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, such as Egypt. Because of their assumed limited contribution towards the modern architectural movement, such States Parties have been encouraged to list on their Tentative Lists of other patterns of cultural heritage, such as vernacular heritage and cultural landscapes. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the likelihood of the properties representing the 19th and 20th century heritage in Egypt to qualify for the World Heritage Site status. The study approached the issue by adopting a non-probability purposive sample of eight properties representing the 19th and the 20th century heritage in Egypt. The historic era to which the adopted sample belongs was extended beyond the Royal Family era, so as to incorporate the more recent works of the two architects, Hassan Fathy ...
Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2011): Earthen Architectural Heritage in Egypt, The Conservation of the Wo... more Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2011): Earthen Architectural Heritage in Egypt, The Conservation of the Works of Hassan Fathy and Ramses Wissa Wassef: Lecture at the School of Architecture, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, 6, December.
The historic origins of the conservation movement on the international level The origins of the c... more The historic origins of the conservation movement on the international level The origins of the conservation movement in the United Kingdom The historic roots of the French conservation movement The historic origins of the conservation movement in Italy The historic roots of the historic preservation movement in the United States of America The historic roots of the Egyptian experience in architectural and urban conservation Chapter Two: Arguments for and Against Architectural and Urban Conservation The motives that have stimulated the conservation movement in Europe The social factor: the reaction against comprehensive development The environmental motive The motives that stimulate further practice of urban conservation in Egypt The economic motive The architectural motive The management of World Heritage Sites, as a motive for conservation The didactic and cultural motives Chapter Three: The Legislative Framework Involved with Architectural and Urban Conservation
The identification of properties for listing on the Tentative Lists of the under-represented Stat... more The identification of properties for listing on the Tentative Lists of the under-represented States Parties, to the World Heritage Convention, such as Egypt, has long challenged such States Parties. The under-represented patterns of the properties that are relevant to Egypt might involve earthen and recent architectural heritage. In Egypt, only one World Heritage Site incorporates within its boundaries elements representing earthen and recent architectural heritage, which is "Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis". These elements are New Gourna Village and Stopplaere House, both of which are designed by the Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy. The previous two properties are not recognized among the features that contribute towards the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site. For these two properties to be recognized as contributing features, they should enjoy an Outstanding Universal Value, and should also satisfy the conditions of authenticity and integrity. The ...
Experts to the World Heritage Committee have long acknowledged the significance of undertaking se... more Experts to the World Heritage Committee have long acknowledged the significance of undertaking serious amendments to the Operational Guidelines to establish a representative, balanced and credible World Heritage List. Adopting a new section involved with the Global Strategy, which has been one of the key amendments carried out to the Guidelines of 2005, represents a response to the previous demands. Article 55, which prefaces the new section, depends on encouraging the preparation and submission of Tentative Lists in achieving the objectives of the Global Strategy. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the potential role that the submission of Tentative Lists might play in resolving the representativity gaps. The study approached the issue by means of an empirical study. Developing and analyzing two groups of databases, involved with the experiences of inscribing properties and submitting Tentative Lists, was the key tool adopted to conduct the empirical study. The findings revea...
The main features of the conservation project taking place at Taos Pueblo seem to agree with the ... more The main features of the conservation project taking place at Taos Pueblo seem to agree with the concept usually referred to as “sustainable conservation”. Despite the recognition of traditional living communities, such as Taos Pueblo, as sustainable communities, some of the heritage values that Taos Pueblo enjoys might be argued to contradict with the general principles of sustainability. The main aim of this study was to investigate the potential conflicts that might occur as a result of adopting the concept of sustainable conservation as an approach to the conservation of Taos Pueblo. The previous objective was approached by evaluating the conformity of the heritage values that Taos Pueblo enjoys to the principles of sustainability. The analysis of the property’s values was approached by means of a proposed methodology that incorporated sustainability principles as indicators of the relevant values. Subsequently, the findings of the analysis were examined against the justificatio...
Accepted for Publication The practice of launching international architectural design competition... more Accepted for Publication The practice of launching international architectural design competitions to key and important buildings in Egypt is not a new trend. Once built, those award-winning buildings usually undergo a modification process either by their owners or occupants. Owners or occupants always modify these buildings so that their performance would be adapted to certain local parameters. These modifications, however, may touch upon some of the original qualities that had donated those designs merits and recognitions at the time of their selection as prize winners. This paper presents an overview on how some buildings have been altered. The aim is to infer the architectural qualities which were affected by the modification processes, and attempt to define some non-negotiable parameters that should be preserved in such buildings in order to keep their architectural merits were valued and recognized. The research will try to answer the following questions: -Is it ethical, profe...
Evaluating proposals for new urban development has long challenged the agencies concerned with th... more Evaluating proposals for new urban development has long challenged the agencies concerned with the management of historic towns. Such developments can enrich the urban experience of historic towns, and can contribute towards their adaptation to contemporary life. Nevertheless, new developments suffering from poor townscape and architectural qualities might threaten the Outstanding Universal Value, OUV, of historic towns, and might detract from their authenticity and integrity. The main purpose of this study was to examine the influences of a group of factors on the appropriateness of the various approaches that might be adopted to introduce new development in historic towns. The study approached the issue by analyzing a selected sample of new developments introduced inside a group of historic towns. The historic town's townscape and historic values, and the new development's immediate surrounding environment were some of the examined factors. The examined approaches were cla...
Vernacular and Earthen Architecture: Conservation and Sustainability
ABSTRACT: A vigorous nomination of properties representing vernacular and recent heritage for lis... more ABSTRACT: A vigorous nomination of properties representing vernacular and recent heritage for listing as World Heritage Sites has been motivated by the finding of the under-representativity of the previous two pat-terns on the World Heritage List, WHL. The projects that Hassan Fathy designed in Egypt, particularly New Gourna Village, are significant examples of the previous two patterns that enjoy exceptional heritage qualities. One of the major aspects that contribute to New Gourna’s exceptional heritage qualities is the humane consid-erations in Hassan Fathy’s design. Nevertheless, none of the projects that Hassan Fathy designed has been in-scribed as a World Heritage Site, WHS. The main aim of this study was to discuss the contribution of Hassan Fathy’s humane considerations in design to the outstanding significance of New Gourna. This study also aimed at discussing the potential criteria that can be adopted to justify New Gourna’s Outstanding Universal Value on the basis of the humane considerations in its design. The previous aims were achieved by means of a thorough exploration of the humane considerations in Hassan Fathy’s design of New Gourna. The findings re-vealed the significant contribution of Hassan Fathy’s humane considerations in the design of New Gourna to its outstanding universal significance. The study recommends adopting the World Heritage Centre’s criterion (i) to justify New Gourna’s Outstanding Universal Value, OUV, on the basis of the humane considerations in its design.
The finding of the under-representativity of 20 th century heritage properties on the World Herit... more The finding of the under-representativity of 20 th century heritage properties on the World Heritage List urged many States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to nominate heritage properties representing this pattern for listing as World Heritage Sites. One of these properties is Paimio Hospital in Finland designed by Alvar Aalto. One of the major themes that have been adopted to justify the hospital's Outstanding Universal Value is the humane considerations in Alvar Aalto's design. The main aim of this study was to explore the common themes and criteria that have been frequently adopted to justify the Outstanding Universal Value of 20 th century heritage properties. The study also aimed at discussing the humane considerations in Alvar Aalto's design of Paimio Hospital and the relevance of these considerations to the justifications of the outstanding significance of Hassan Fathy's heritage in Egypt. To achieve the previous aims, seven case studies representing recent heritage were adopted for the analysis of the common themes and criteria adopted to justify the Outstanding Universal Value of recent heritage. One of the previous case studies, which is Paimio Hospital, was adopted for a further analysis of the humane considerations in its design. The findings revealed the diverse humane considerations in Alvar Aalto's design of Paimio Hospital. The findings also revealed that criterion (i) is one of the most frequently adopted criteria to justify the Outstanding Universal Value of 20 th century heritage properties. The study suggests that humane considerations in architecture can also be adopted to justify the outstanding significance of Hassan Fathy's heritage in Egypt.
Nominating heritage properties for listing as World Heritage Sites has become more challenging wi... more Nominating heritage properties for listing as World Heritage Sites has become more challenging with the advent of the Operational Guidelines of 2005 that have construed the prerequisites of the Global Strategy. According to the Guidelines of 2005, States Parties, to the World Heritage Convention, are urged to nominate properties for listing as World Heritage Sites that fall under particular under-represented heritage categories and are requested to verify the availability of the legislative and regulatory measures that guarantee the protection of these properties. The main aim of this paper was to evaluate the influences of the Global Strategy on the conventional legislative and regulatory measures that were used before the adoption of the Global Strategy to support nominations for listing properties as World Heritage Sites. The empirical study approached this issue by selecting a non-probability purposive sample of eight British World Heritage Sites that represent the pre-Global Strategy and the post-Global Strategy World Heritage Sites. Developing and analyzing a database of the data provided by the management plans of the selected case studies was the research tool that was adopted to conduct the empirical study. The most significant finding of this study unveiled the very limited influences of the Global Strategy on the conventional legislative and regulatory measures that were used earlier to support nominations of heritage properties for listing as World Heritage Sites. The study suggests replacing the inefficient non-statutory mechanisms that are used to provide protection for the heritage properties in the adopted case studies by further developed statutory ones.
Despite its location inside the World Heritage Site in Luxor, New Gourna Village has never been r... more Despite its location inside the World Heritage Site in Luxor, New Gourna Village has never been recognized as one of the elements that contribute to the World Heritage Site's Outstanding Universal Value. In order to consider New Gourna among the World Heritage Site's contributing elements, it should enjoy an Outstanding Universal Value and should also satisfy the conditions of authenticity and integrity. The aim of this study was to scrutinize the possibility to recognize New Gourna as one of the elements that contribute to the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site in Luxor. The previous aim was achieved by evaluating the level of significance of the heritage values that New Gourna enjoys, as well as their authenticity and integrity, using a proposed methodology. According to this methodology, the level of significance of the values that New Gourna enjoys was evaluated against a list of criteria that were largely derived from the world heritage criteria. Another methodology, which was based on the Operational Guidelines' definitions of authenticity and integrity, was used to evaluate the authenticity and integrity of the village. The findings revealed the significant contribution of New Gourna towards the World Heritage Site's Outstanding Universal Value despite the decline of the village's authenticity and integrity. The continuous demolition of the buildings designed by Hassan Fathy in the village and the replacement of these buildings by modern concrete buildings represent the major aspect that emphasizes the decline of the authenticity of New Gourna. On the other hand, the decline of the physical condition of the few remaining earthen buildings designed by Hassan Fathy in the village is the main aspect that emphasizes the decline of the village's integrity. The study suggests revising the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site in Luxor so as to recognize New Gourna among its contributing elements and to undertake all the possible measures to preserve New Gourna.
Influences exerted by cultural heritage properties on developments in architecture, town planning... more Influences exerted by cultural heritage properties on developments in architecture, town planning, or landscape design represent one of the criteria that are used to evaluate the Outstanding Universal Value of the properties nominated for listing as World Heritage Sites, which is criterion (ii). In 1996, the wording of criterion (ii) was revised to address the interchange of human values exhibited by cultural heritage properties. The main aim of this study was to discuss the changes that occurred to the application of criterion (ii) following the revision of its wording of 1996, particularly in relation to historic towns. The study also aimed at investigating the applicability of the revised version of criterion (ii) to the particularity of the cultural heritage of an Egyptian historic town and a potential World Heritage Site, which is “Historic quarters and monuments of Rosetta/Rachid”. To achieve these aims, a sample of World Heritage Sites, or potential ones, representing both th...
Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2010): "Integrity and/or Authenticity: The Potential Challenges Facin... more Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2010): "Integrity and/or Authenticity: The Potential Challenges Facing the Nomination of Historic Towns for Inscription on the World Heritage List" in HERITY Italia: Measuring the Value of Material Cultural Heritage, 2nd HERITY International Conference, Measuring the Value of Material Cultural Heritage, December 3 – 5, 2008 Rome. Rome: DRI – Fondazione Enotria ONLUS, pp. 77-88. Abstract Nominating cultural properties for inscription on the World Heritage List has become more challenging with the implementation of the amendments of the Operational Guidelines of 2005, concerning the conditions of integrity and authenticity. According to these amendments, satisfying the conditions of integrity has become a prerequisite for cultural properties to qualify for a World Heritage Site status. Historic towns, the well-represented pattern of cultural heritage, encounter a myriad of challenges threatening their authenticity and integrity. An example of such properties is Rosetta, which is an Egyptian potential World Heritage Site. The city suffers from the prevalence of unsympathetic new developments that detract from its authentic spirit. Threats to the integrity of the property include the declining number of the city's scheduled Antiquities, which represent the key element expressing the outstanding value of the property, and the declining quality of the few remaining Antiquities. The purpose of the study was to examine the influences of the strict control of new development on the integrity and authenticity of historic towns. The study approached the issue by means of a comparative analysis conducted between the two properties of "Old and New Towns of Edinburgh" and "Historic quarters and monuments of Rosetta/Rachid". The former is a British inscribed property, while the latter is a potential Egyptian one. The findings emphasized the positive contribution of the strict control of new development towards the authenticity and integrity of historic towns. The results seem to suggest the need to adopt all the available tools involved with controlling the quality of new urban development inside Rosetta to reconstruct the historic sense of the city.
Professions, like nations, keep their shape by moulding their members' citizens understanding of ... more Professions, like nations, keep their shape by moulding their members' citizens understanding of the past; causing them to forget those events which do not accord with a righteous image, while keeping alive those memories that do.
Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2011): Modern Heritage in Egypt: Significance and Outstanding Potentials: ... more Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2011): Modern Heritage in Egypt: Significance and Outstanding Potentials: Presentation at Suomenlinna World Heritage Site, Helsinki, 1, June.
Identifying properties representing the 19th and 20th century heritage for the nomination for the... more Identifying properties representing the 19th and 20th century heritage for the nomination for the World Heritage Site status has long challenged developing States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, such as Egypt. Because of their assumed limited contribution towards the modern architectural movement, such States Parties have been encouraged to list on their Tentative Lists of other patterns of cultural heritage, such as vernacular heritage and cultural landscapes. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the likelihood of the properties representing the 19th and 20th century heritage in Egypt to qualify for the World Heritage Site status. The study approached the issue by adopting a non-probability purposive sample of eight properties representing the 19th and the 20th century heritage in Egypt. The historic era to which the adopted sample belongs was extended beyond the Royal Family era, so as to incorporate the more recent works of the two architects, Hassan Fathy ...
Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2011): Earthen Architectural Heritage in Egypt, The Conservation of the Wo... more Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2011): Earthen Architectural Heritage in Egypt, The Conservation of the Works of Hassan Fathy and Ramses Wissa Wassef: Lecture at the School of Architecture, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, 6, December.
The historic origins of the conservation movement on the international level The origins of the c... more The historic origins of the conservation movement on the international level The origins of the conservation movement in the United Kingdom The historic roots of the French conservation movement The historic origins of the conservation movement in Italy The historic roots of the historic preservation movement in the United States of America The historic roots of the Egyptian experience in architectural and urban conservation Chapter Two: Arguments for and Against Architectural and Urban Conservation The motives that have stimulated the conservation movement in Europe The social factor: the reaction against comprehensive development The environmental motive The motives that stimulate further practice of urban conservation in Egypt The economic motive The architectural motive The management of World Heritage Sites, as a motive for conservation The didactic and cultural motives Chapter Three: The Legislative Framework Involved with Architectural and Urban Conservation
The identification of properties for listing on the Tentative Lists of the under-represented Stat... more The identification of properties for listing on the Tentative Lists of the under-represented States Parties, to the World Heritage Convention, such as Egypt, has long challenged such States Parties. The under-represented patterns of the properties that are relevant to Egypt might involve earthen and recent architectural heritage. In Egypt, only one World Heritage Site incorporates within its boundaries elements representing earthen and recent architectural heritage, which is "Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis". These elements are New Gourna Village and Stopplaere House, both of which are designed by the Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy. The previous two properties are not recognized among the features that contribute towards the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site. For these two properties to be recognized as contributing features, they should enjoy an Outstanding Universal Value, and should also satisfy the conditions of authenticity and integrity. The ...
Experts to the World Heritage Committee have long acknowledged the significance of undertaking se... more Experts to the World Heritage Committee have long acknowledged the significance of undertaking serious amendments to the Operational Guidelines to establish a representative, balanced and credible World Heritage List. Adopting a new section involved with the Global Strategy, which has been one of the key amendments carried out to the Guidelines of 2005, represents a response to the previous demands. Article 55, which prefaces the new section, depends on encouraging the preparation and submission of Tentative Lists in achieving the objectives of the Global Strategy. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the potential role that the submission of Tentative Lists might play in resolving the representativity gaps. The study approached the issue by means of an empirical study. Developing and analyzing two groups of databases, involved with the experiences of inscribing properties and submitting Tentative Lists, was the key tool adopted to conduct the empirical study. The findings revea...
The main features of the conservation project taking place at Taos Pueblo seem to agree with the ... more The main features of the conservation project taking place at Taos Pueblo seem to agree with the concept usually referred to as “sustainable conservation”. Despite the recognition of traditional living communities, such as Taos Pueblo, as sustainable communities, some of the heritage values that Taos Pueblo enjoys might be argued to contradict with the general principles of sustainability. The main aim of this study was to investigate the potential conflicts that might occur as a result of adopting the concept of sustainable conservation as an approach to the conservation of Taos Pueblo. The previous objective was approached by evaluating the conformity of the heritage values that Taos Pueblo enjoys to the principles of sustainability. The analysis of the property’s values was approached by means of a proposed methodology that incorporated sustainability principles as indicators of the relevant values. Subsequently, the findings of the analysis were examined against the justificatio...
Accepted for Publication The practice of launching international architectural design competition... more Accepted for Publication The practice of launching international architectural design competitions to key and important buildings in Egypt is not a new trend. Once built, those award-winning buildings usually undergo a modification process either by their owners or occupants. Owners or occupants always modify these buildings so that their performance would be adapted to certain local parameters. These modifications, however, may touch upon some of the original qualities that had donated those designs merits and recognitions at the time of their selection as prize winners. This paper presents an overview on how some buildings have been altered. The aim is to infer the architectural qualities which were affected by the modification processes, and attempt to define some non-negotiable parameters that should be preserved in such buildings in order to keep their architectural merits were valued and recognized. The research will try to answer the following questions: -Is it ethical, profe...
Evaluating proposals for new urban development has long challenged the agencies concerned with th... more Evaluating proposals for new urban development has long challenged the agencies concerned with the management of historic towns. Such developments can enrich the urban experience of historic towns, and can contribute towards their adaptation to contemporary life. Nevertheless, new developments suffering from poor townscape and architectural qualities might threaten the Outstanding Universal Value, OUV, of historic towns, and might detract from their authenticity and integrity. The main purpose of this study was to examine the influences of a group of factors on the appropriateness of the various approaches that might be adopted to introduce new development in historic towns. The study approached the issue by analyzing a selected sample of new developments introduced inside a group of historic towns. The historic town's townscape and historic values, and the new development's immediate surrounding environment were some of the examined factors. The examined approaches were cla...
The Major Aspects of Rosetta's Heritage that Represent the Interchange of Human Values: The profo... more The Major Aspects of Rosetta's Heritage that Represent the Interchange of Human Values: The profound influences of the Turkish ceramic tiles on "Historic Cairo" and their limited influences on Rosetta Ceramic tiles inside the Mosque of Sultanahmet in Istanbul Ceramic tiles inside Bayt al-Sihaymi in Historic Cairo Ceramic tiles inside Manzil al-Qanadili in Rosetta Ceramic tiles used in Istanbul Ceramic tiles used in Cairo Ceramic tiles used in Rosetta
Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2012): Earthen Architectural Heritage in Egypt: Evaluating Hassan Fathy’s ... more Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2012): Earthen Architectural Heritage in Egypt: Evaluating Hassan Fathy’s Contribution to the “Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis” World Heritage Site: Lecture at the Center for American Architecture and Design, the School of Architecture, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, 4, May.
Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2011): Earthen Architectural Heritage in Egypt, The Conservation of the Wo... more Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2011): Earthen Architectural Heritage in Egypt, The Conservation of the Works of Hassan Fathy and Ramses Wissa Wassef: Lecture at the School of Architecture, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, 6, December.
Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2011): Earthen Architectural Heritage in Egypt, The Conservation of the Wo... more Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2011): Earthen Architectural Heritage in Egypt, The Conservation of the Works of Hassan Fathy and Ramses Wissa Wassef: Lecture at the School of Architecture, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, 6, December.
Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2011): Modern Heritage in Egypt: Significance and Outstanding Potentials: ... more Abdel Tawab, Ayman G. (2011): Modern Heritage in Egypt: Significance and Outstanding Potentials: Presentation at Suomenlinna World Heritage Site, Helsinki, 1, June.
4th International Course on the Conservation of Modern Architecture Metamorphosis – Understanding and Managing Change, MARC2011
Abdel Tawab, Ayman (2014): New Urban Development and the Historic Environment. Saarbrücken: LAP L... more Abdel Tawab, Ayman (2014): New Urban Development and the Historic Environment. Saarbrücken: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing.
, SOStierra2017 International Conference on Vernacular Earthen Architecture, Conservation and Sustainability, 2017
ABSTRACT: A vigorous nomination of properties representing vernacular and recent heritage for lis... more ABSTRACT: A vigorous nomination of properties representing vernacular and recent heritage for listing as World Heritage Sites has been motivated by the finding of the under-representativity of the previous two pat-terns on the World Heritage List, WHL. The projects that Hassan Fathy designed in Egypt, particularly New Gourna Village, are significant examples of the previous two patterns that enjoy exceptional heritage qualities. One of the major aspects that contribute to New Gourna’s exceptional heritage qualities is the humane consid-erations in Hassan Fathy’s design. Nevertheless, none of the projects that Hassan Fathy designed has been in-scribed as a World Heritage Site, WHS. The main aim of this study was to discuss the contribution of Hassan Fathy’s humane considerations in design to the outstanding significance of New Gourna. This study also aimed at discussing the potential criteria that can be adopted to justify New Gourna’s Outstanding Universal Value on the basis of the humane considerations in its design. The previous aims were achieved by means of a thorough exploration of the humane considerations in Hassan Fathy’s design of New Gourna. The findings re-vealed the significant contribution of Hassan Fathy’s humane considerations in the design of New Gourna to its outstanding universal significance. The study recommends adopting the World Heritage Centre’s criterion (i) to justify New Gourna’s Outstanding Universal Value, OUV, on the basis of the humane considerations in its design.
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Papers by Ayman G. Abdel Tawab
4th International Course on the Conservation of Modern Architecture Metamorphosis – Understanding and Managing Change, MARC2011