Spatial Structure of First-Order Voronoi for the Future of Roundabout Cairo since 1867

The Haussmannization plan of Cairo in 1867 formed a regular network of roundabout spaces, though deteriorated at present. The method of identifying the spatial structure of roundabout Cairo for conservation matches the voronoi diagram with the space syntax through their geometrical property of spatial convexity. In this initiative, the primary convex hull of first-order voronoi adopts the integral and control measurements of space syntax on Cairo’s roundabout generators. The functional essence of royal palaces optimizes the roundabout structure in terms of spatial measurements and the symbolic voronoi projection of 'Tahrir Roundabout' over the Giza Nile and Pyramids. Some roundabouts of major public and commercial landmarks surround the pole of 'Ezbekia Garden' with a higher control than integral measurements, which filter the new spatial structure from the adjacent traditional town. Nevertheless, the least integral and control measures correspond to the voronoi contents of pollutant workshops and the plateau of old Cairo Citadel with the visual compensation of new royal landmarks on top. Meanwhile, the extended suburbs of infinite voronoi polygons arrange high control generators of chateaux housing in 'garden city' environs. The point pattern of roundabouts determines the geometrical characteristics of voronoi polygons. The measured lengths of voronoi edges alternate between the zoned short range at the new poles of Cairo and the distributed structure of longer range. Nevertheless, the shortest range of generator-vertex geometry concentrates at 'Ezbekia Garden' where the crossways of vast Cairo intersect, which maximizes the variety of choice at different spatial resolutions. However, the symbolic 'Hippodrome' which is the largest public landmark forms exclusive geometrical measurements, while structuring a most integrative roundabout to parallel the royal syntax. Overview of the symbolic convex hull of voronoi with space syntax interconnects Parisian Cairo with the spatial chronology of scattered monuments to conceive one universal Cairo structure. Accordingly, the approached methodology of 'voronoi-syntax' prospects the future conservation of roundabout Cairo at the inferred city-level concept.




References:
[1] A. Ali, Cairo during the Reign of Ismail, Cairo: The Egyptian-Lebanese
Press, 1998.
[2] A. El Shazly, “On the Chronological Transformation of Arabic 'Wekala'
Building into Italian 'Galleria' in Alexandria, Egypt,” Proceedings of the
Annual International Workshop of the Mediterranean World Studies, 3-
11, Venice: The Archives Department of Italy, 2004.
[3] A. El Shazly, “The Prospects of the 'European Quarter' in Cairo,”
Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, vol. 2-1, 175-
182, 2003.
[4] A. Kitroeff, “The Alexandria we have Lost,” Journal of the Hellenic
Dispora, vol. X, 12-31, 1983.
[5] A. Mubarak, Khetat. Cairo: Beaulac Press, 1889.
[6] A. Okabe, B. Boots, K. Sugihara, S. Chiu and D. Kendall, Spatial
Tessellations: Concepts and Applications of Voronoi Diagrams, 2nd ed.,
Chichester: John Willy & Sons, 2000.
[7] B. Hillier, and J. Hanson, The Social Logic of Space, Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 1984.
[8] M. Scharabi, Kairo: Stadt und Architektur im Zeitalter des Europaischen
Kolonialismus, Germany: Ernst Wasmuth Verlag Tubingen, 1989.
[9] M. Volait, Le Caire-Alexandrie: Architectures Europeennes 1850-1950,
Cairo: IFAOC, 2001.
[10] R. Owen, “The Cairo Building Industry and the Building Boom of 1897
to 1907,” Proceedings of the international conference on
commemorating the millennium foundation of Cairo, 337-352, Cairo:
Ameria Press, 1969.
[11] S. Attia, “Revitalization of Downtown Cairo as Center for Social
Democracy and Sustainable Growth,” Paper presented to the Ecocity
World Summit, Montreal, Canada, 2013. (http://www.ecocitybuilders.
org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Attia-including.pdf)
[12] The Egyptian Urban Planning Department and Cairo University, The
European Quarter of Cairo: A Study in Conservation, Final Report,
Cairo: Printed by The Egyptian Urban Planning Department, 2002.