Question: Please find attached a drawing extracted from the files you submitted to us; the left quarter is totally empty..!! Answer: All required data is available on the GIS Map through the layers of Services, Roads and landmarks … etc. Attachments are sent by mail to all Competitors> Question: Is there any restrictions on running a lifted road over Ramsees road? Answer: There aren't any restrictions as long as this road doesn't have a negative impact on the view or the visual functions of the area. However, you should take into consideration the Underground Metro path. Question: The link between "the traffic volumes of Ramses Sq." and the streets is very difficult. Some streets are not on Google map. Can you give us a street map corresponding with your traffic tables? Answer: The street map is available in the GIS Map on the layer (traffic – directions) attached to a hyperlink (traffic table). There is an explanation for these instructions on the DVD contents No. 2 B). Question: Why some buildings of Ramses Sq. (Khobry Lymoon station f.e.) are seen on the pictures but don't exist on the CAD document? Answer: These buildings are available through the GIS Map, the layer of Listed_Buildings. Question: The map "Detailed express network" (jpg) is unreadable. Can we have a clear one? Answer: The given map is the best available resolution. Question: What will be the commitment towards the winner? Answer: As it is given in the T.O.R (Article 25), the concerned party/parties in Egypt can contract with the first winner to carry out the construction documents of his project, maintaining the technical recommendations set by the Jury. Question: According to general plan of the city how many people will live in Cairo in 2009 and in 2020. Answer: Birth rate in Cairo = 2.5 Number of Population of Cairo in 2008 = about 7.5 million Expected Number of Population in 2020 = from 15 to 20 million. Question: Please identify existing buildings within Zone 3 that could be removed or developed into other functions. Answer: It's left for the competitor to give his/her own suggestions, taking into consideration the historical listed buildings. Question: Existing empty lands within Zone 3 that could be used are to be identified Answer: This piece of information is available in the database of the GIS, including vacant lands and open spaces. You will find here attached the related file (empty_space) Attachments are sent to competitors via e-mail. Question: Cad drawings for the elevations of the buildings surrounding the square needed (if available). Answer: This kind of information is not available in CAD format. However, you can take the average height of the building through the movie. Question: Please clarify the difference between the deadline on 21/06/2009 and 05/07/2009 stated in the attached T.O.R_Eng.pdf. Answer: The deadline 21/06/2009 is the date for handing the projects at the headquarters of NOUH. It's also the date when the competitors must send their projects by courier and it must be shown on the receipt of the courier company. NOUH must receive these projects within 2 weeks. The deadline for receiving them is 05/07/2007. Question: Upon setting a mock up layout for the final sheet presentation, it has been noticed that presenting Zone 3 (with a scale 1/500 as required) needs about ten A0 sheets while The maximum allowable no of sheets for the whole project is 12 A0 sheets!, Please advise... Answer: The scale of zones can be presented on 12 A0 sheets. You will find here attached an example on how the final sheet can be presented. Attachments are sent to competitors via e-mail. Question: What will be the method of publication, communication, and promotion around the competitors return proposals? Answer: The competitors will be announced through the media, NOUH’s Website (www.urbanharmony.org), UIA’s website (www.uia-architectes.org)and through their e-mails. After the announcement of the results, all projects will be publicly exhibited. The date of the exhibition, which will last for nearly two weeks, will be also announced. Question: The availability using of the two highlighted mixed use areas (attachement 01) in the redesign of the square. Answer: It is available to use the areas as shown in the attached drawing as long as it is not inconsistent with the underground metro path. The attached drawing shows the usage of the area. Attachments are sent to competitors via e-mail. Question: Data about the underground path and structure below Ramses street needed inorder to decide if a lifted road could be suitable over the street (attachement 02). Answer: The attached drawing shows the data needed. Please , take into consideration that the underground path coincides with the street as shown in the attached database of GIS. You should also take into consideration the stations , entrances , exits and that there is a buffer zone within the road. Question: Who are the future responsible authority and project holder? Answer: The Egyptian Government will be entitled to execute the winning project. Question: We need to know exactly which buildings can be demolished and which buildings we cannot? Answer: The buildings included in the listed Buildings are the ones not to be demolished. Question: Is there an official decree or a governmental intent for transferring the Ramses Railway Station to Qalyoub? Answer: It is a suggested proposal that is still under consideration. Question: Kindly provide us with the names and contacts of the foreign competitors so that we may consider the possibilities of joint participation. Answer: We apologize for not providing any competitor with the names or contacts of the other competitors to keep the secrecy of the Competition. Question: For our work we need a topographic mapping of zone #3 in scale 1:500 (Ramses square boundaries). We need you to point the number of stories of buildings, functional purpose and historic structures. Answer: The area of Zone 3 is practically flat, so there is no need of a topographic mapping. Concerning the number of stories, you can take the average number from the movie. Concerning the functional purpose, please see the usage of buildings shown in the data presented in GIS format. Concerning the historic structure, we would like to clarify that a layer of listed buildings is presented within the data of the GIS. Question: Please advise us what unit of measurement is used for the data below “2. Folder “Base Map GIS” it includes”? B) "Traffic tables" Folder: 1) 33 excel files: survey of the traffic in Ramses Square Answer: The used measurement unit is PCU (Passenger Car Unit) Question: The scale ratio used on “Ramsis cad” that contains an AutoCAD file” is not indicated. I need data showing the scale ratio. Answer: The scale Ratio given is 1 CAD unit = 1 meter Question: Please explain the difference between “CAIRO BUSINESS DISTRICT (C.B.D) Ground Floor Uses” and “CAIRO BUSINESS DISTRICT (C.B.D) First Floor Uses” because I do not understand what the difference is between Ground floor and First Floor? Answer: The ground floor is on the street level, but the first floor is about four meters above street level. Question: Please advise us what “Pass./day/dir” and “pcu/day” mean on “Daily Traffic Volume” of “Studies of the (C.B.D)”? Especially, I would like to know the meaning of “dir” and “pcu”. Answer: “Dir” means Direction “Pcu” means Passenger Car Unit Question: Can we change the function of a public building? Answer: Yes, if there is a necessity for that. Question: Is there any industrial activity on those 3 zones? Answer: Yes, there are some industrial activities on the three given zones. Question: Can we have the plane of empty properties? Is it the same of plane of empty spaces? Answer: Yes, they are the same. Question: Can we know the maximum height of lift roads authorized? Answer: There is no maximum height taking into consideration that the minimum clearance is 5.5 meters. Question: What is the relation between the building «Railway Engineering building» and "Misr station"? Answer: They are affiliated to the same authority. Question: What type of vocation allocated in the building «sabl om abbes "? And where is it? Answer: It is a monument listed in the layer of Listed Buildings. It is on the intersection between Ramses Square and El-Gomhoria Street. Question: On the AutoCAD file "Ramsis.dwg": What mean the two big circles interrupted there 2D and 3D? If it’s the square why there are two? Answer: They aren’t the Square. They are just indications to the location of the two underground Metro stations. Question: Are we bound by 6th October bridge path? Answer: NO, the competitors are not bound by 6th October Bridge Path. Question: Please indicate buildings that are of heritage value and need to be rehabilitated and demolition is not advised. Answer: These buildings are included in the layers of Listed and Important Buildings. Question: Please indicate the feeder streets to the Ramses Square that are one way and those that are two way. Answer: This piece of information is provided in the layer called “traffic_directions”. Question: Please provide plan with street names so that the traffic figures can be co related Answer: The street names are available in the GIS Map on the layer “traffic_directions” attached to a hyperlink (traffic table). There is an explanation for these instructions on the DVD contents No. 2 B). Question: Can you give information about the underground layer? What does it include or mean? Answer: The layer underground refers to the part of the surface path of line 1 of the Underground Metro. Question: In our competition area, around the Ramses square there are four railway service areas. Are they used? Is there any restriction for these areas? Answer: These areas are not used and there are no restrictions on them. Question: Are there city wide strategies? For example, some cities have a tree advocacy program and most cities have a carbon program. Answer: Strategic plans for Greater Cairo in 2050 are now undergoing and they will cover major environmental aspects. However, Competitors can suggest some other plans. Question: Are there limitations to dealing with other Infrastructure? For example the rail tracks? Answer: No, there aren’t any limitations. Question: Is there a specific program determined for Ramses Square? Answer: No, there isn’t. Question: How much parking (short term, long term, taxis, etc) is required on Ramses Square? How much room should there be allowed for the food stands? Answer: The Competitor’s suggested solution should address these kinds of issues. Question: What are the heights of the 6th October Bridge road and flyovers measured from ground level? Answer: The height varies from 7 to 30 meters. Question: What are the demands on new building in this area or in whole Cairo that can be used in the Ramses Square project? Answer: There are no Specific demands for new buildings. Question: Is an architectural model (maquette) for the final solution required? Can the requirement of the DVD animation be replaced by the model? Answer: Documents that will be submitted by competitors are mentioned in Article 14 of the T.O.R. A model is not required and the DVD cannot be replaced by a model. Question: The drawings and explanatory notes on “Detailed Expressway Network” of “Studies of the (C.B.D)” are not clear. I need clearer data. Answer: The given map is the best available resolution. Question: Regarding the following text, please advise us whether there is a limit on the number of pages for “the proposed solutions with A3 format”? Answer: As it’s mentioned in the T.O.R. (Article 14): 14/4/3 A technical report, of maximum 50 pages, for all submitted studies and drawings explaining the concept and the proposed solutions with A3 format. Question: What the level of intervention on a private building can be made, is it limited on frontages or return much more in the plan? Answer: The only restrictions are on listed and historical buildings only. Question: Can we destroy some buildings for urban needs? Answer: It is only forbidden to destroy any of the listed or historical buildings. Question: On the photograph «DSC03284» of the file « parking of misr station » destroyed building is it in state ownership? It was what before destruction? Can they intervene on this ground? Answer: The area is in the state’s ownership. It was incomplete multi-storey Parking garage in addition to some commercial uses. There are still two underground floors that could be used as a parking area. Question: What’s the scale of the final returning for zones (2) and (3)? Given that on the notebook of expenses is marked 1/5000 for (Z2) and 1/500 (Z3) on the contrary on the AutoCAD file “Ramsis.dwg “1/2500 for (Z2) and 1/1000 for (Z3)? Answer: As given in the TOR, the following scales are required: Scale 1 : 10000 for Zone (1) Scale 1 : 5000 for Zone (2) Scale 1 : 500 for Zone (3) Question: What is the depth that one could go to across the Ramses square should one decide to take an underpass across? Line 1 and Line 2 seem to cross one over the other with Line 1 being lesser in depth than Line 2. Answer: Level of the rails of line 1 from street level = approximately -7 meters Level of the rails of line 2 from street level = - 20 meters There aren’t any regulations for further depth, but it costs a lot. Question: Please do indicate the buildings that are dilapidated and can be removed Answer: It is left to the Competitor’s point of view (judgment) except for the listed and historic buildings. Question: Empty space layer includes also empty spaces and railway area near the Ramses square. Is it meaning we can change or use railway paths? Answer: Railway paths can only be moved within the same area determined for the Metro paths parallel to Ramses Square. Question: There are many proposals offered by General Organization for Physical Planning (GOPP), Egyptian National Railway Authority (ENR) and National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) regarding both the Railway and Underground Metro networks (e.g. Metro lines 4.5 and 6). Should such proposals be taken into consideration in design? Or shall the situation remain as is? Can we offer different proposals within our design? Answer: All these studies are just proposals that can be taken into consideration or altered. The Competitor could offer different proposals. Question: Is it expected that we would reduce the site's capacity to deal with vehicular traffic? Answer: The Competitor’s suggested solution should address these kinds of issues. Question: Technical question: Should the entries be submitted mounted on boards or can they be rolled up? Answer: As the T.O.R. mentions in Article 14/3: The final submittal should be in a form of A0 size fixed on maximum twelve (12) light weight boards. Question: We need to know if there are any rules and restrictions for city planning and residential/commercial buildings used in Cairo and in Egypt. Answer: All rules and restrictions for city planning are mentioned in Law 119 for year 2008. The articles of that law are available in Arabic language only. Those who would like to get the Act concerning Urban Harmony in Egypt, please send us an e-mail. Question: Are the areas of the Workshops and stores included in Zone 3 (Detailed Plans)? Answer: Yes, they are included according to layers “service” and “commercials” in the GIS Map. Question: Could you please tell us, why the parking structure next to the railway station was removed? Answer: The parking structure was removed because it was deteriorating the frontage of the valuable building (Misr Station). Question: We need a map for the Underground metro paths with its stations and their relation with the movement axes. Answer: All the information concerning the metro paths and stations is given through the GIS Map, “Underground_metro” layer. Question: Please identify the number of copies needed for the technical report. Answer: We need only one soft copy and one hard copy. Question: Hinterland of Ramses Square needs rental and commercial buildings or rental impact is not advisable because of traffic and confusion? Answer: There are no restrictions on that taking into consideration the possible impacts. Question: Existing capacity of all kinds of commercial, housing and administrative etc. buildings are enough or not? We mean should we propose new commercial buildings to this square and triangle. Answer: There are no restrictions on that taking into consideration the possible impacts. Question: Is it possible to make any changes in train rails and courses- how far can we utilize the railway's northern yard? Answer: It’s possible to make some changes. However, Railway paths can only be moved within the same area determined for the Metro paths parallel to Ramses Square. Question: We would like kindly to request a detailed Layout of Roads, Landscaping and Existing Buildings for Zone3. Answer: They are available in the layer, “Green Area”, “Roads”. Any further detailed studies are the responsibility of the competitor. Question: The Provided CAD file is not giving accurate information and there is misleading to the given Plans and Photos. Answer: Please, identify the inaccurate information and define the misleading plans and photos. Question: Please kindly provide a schematic plan for the position of all given photos. Answer: The schematic plan for the position of all given photos is given through the Layer “photo_location” in the GIS Map. Question: Concerning the sector of 6th of October elevated road which crosses Ramses square, can we detour its route within the different zones and/or do some change? Answer: It is possible to detour its route or do whatever changes you like. Question: Currently, there is a plan for renovating Downtown Cairo, what are the buildings included in this plan and the time frame for restoration? Answer: Restoration is taking place for historical and listed buildings, while Renovating is for all buildings in Downtown. They are carried out in phases. (About two years per each phase). Question: Is there any data available about the project of moving ministries outside downtown, also the upgrading of the Nile Front in the area of Maspiro (Zone 2)? Answer: The two projects are still under consideration. Question: What are the limits for Infrastructure network modification particularly with regard to the cost of these works? Answer: There are not any limits. Question: How far can we demolish, replace or move a street, a bridge or a building? Answer: The competitor is free to demolish, replace or move any street, bridge or building taking into consideration the historical and listed buildings. Question: The attached jpg(s) shows that the written data on each layer make the drawing much more noisy (we can't read it), how we can remove all this written data? Answer: You should open the layers one by one to read the data provided. Question: How can we get the maximum depth level on each part we can use? Answer: There is no maximum depth level. Question: Can you explain more on urban policy? e.g. from the last 15 years and if available for the future? Answer: General guidelines for urban policies are provided in the T.O.R. Question: Is there a maximum building height? Answer: It’s open for the competitor’s suggestions. Question: In the T.O.R. on the submission requirements a scale model is not requested. Does it mean that the scale model is not requested? If scale models will be send will they evaluated?" Answer: A Scale Model is not requested, so it will be disregarded if submitted. Question: Is there any ground study of the land? How many meters can the ground depth be dig? Answer: All available data was given to all Competitors. There is no maximum ground depth. Question: How far can we intervene the city blocks around the Ramses Square in zone? Are the using regulations into the scope of the competition? Answer: It’s left for the competitor’s point of view. No limitations for intervention with the exception of the historical and listed buildings. Question: Is the metro station under the Ramses Square in the zone 3 already build or in planning? How deep is the metro station of the square elevation? What are the under ground elevations of the buildings around and under the Ramses Square? Answer: It is already built and operated. Concerning the depth Level of the rails of line 1 from street level = approximately -7 meters. The depth Level of the rails of line 2 from street level = - 20 meters and there is no maximum elevation. Question: Are the using regulations of the city blocks in "zone 1" and "zone 2" into the scope of the competition? (housing commercial green e.t.c.) Answer: It’s left for the competitor’s point of view. Question: Regarding the following text, please advise us whether “the urban planning analytical studies” is included in the Folder “Studies of the (C.B.D)” (jpg. format) or is there material other than that? Article 14 – Documents to be submitted by the Competitors: Required studies: 14/1 Planning studies: conceptual urban planning for Ramses Square and its surroundings should deal with and solve the problems of the square and its relation with city centre area, with special reference to the impact of the urban planning analytical studies. Answer: The mentioned text is taken from the T.O.R. (Article 14) which includes the documents that will be submitted by competitors. So, the urban planning analytical studies required from the Competitor. Question: Detailed Cad drawings for Mubarak underground metro station needed showing the exact plans sections and levels Answer: The requested data is not available in CAD format, instead it's available in jpg format. You will find attached the needed data. Attachments are sent to competitors via e-mail. Question: What is the aim of competition by requiring all the periods 1, 2, 3? Should we propose new planning criteria for complete area (1-Comprehensive Urban Planning Vision, 2-Immediate Urban Planning Vision Limits, 3-Ramses Square Detailed Project)? Answer: As shown in the T.O.R., the aim of the competition is to produce an urban design plan for Ramses Square within a comprehensive vision for the city center of Cairo on various levels presented: 1- Comprehensive Urban Planning Vision Limits (Zone 1) 2- Immediate Urban Planning Vision Limits (Zone 2) 3- Ramses Square Detailed Project Limits (Zone 3) Question: What is the difference between 1-2-3 (1-Comprehensive Urban Planning Vision, 2-Immediate Urban Planning Vision Limits, 3-Ramses Square Detailed Project ) limits and what should we propose by submitting this planning area 1/20000 (new traffic roads, new pedestrian axis etc.). Answer: As shown in the T.O.R., the aim of the competition is to produce an urban design plan for Ramses Square within a comprehensive vision for the city center of Cairo on various levels presented: 1- Comprehensive Urban Planning Vision Limits (Zone 1) 2- Immediate Urban Planning Vision Limits (Zone 2) 3- Ramses Square Detailed Project Limits (Zone 3) At the level of Zone (1): At a scale of 1 : 10000 for: A- The current situation and its analysis. B- The overall Proposal and its impact or relationship with the other parts of central Cairo. At the level of Zone (2): At a scale of 1 : 5000 for : - The general layout, road and traffic organisation, definition of various public spaces of Ramses Square. Documents of Urban Design at the level of Zone (3): At a scale of 1 : 500 for : - Detailed plans concerning landscaping, buildings to be kept and / or rehabilitated, proposed new buildings, street layout and traffic flow, areas reserved for pedestrians, parks and green spaces, access to underground areas (commercial, subway,…etc.), urban furniture, … etc. Question: Could you send more detailed sections for metro stations and lines to show exact underground levels and depths if available? Answer: The detailed sections for metro stations are available through the data provided in the GIS Map in the layer “underground_metroline”. Concerning the depth Level of the rails of line 1 from street level = approximately -7 meters. The depth Level of the rails of line 2 from street level = - 20 meters. Question: Please, can you provide us with statistics on densities per neighbourhood? population, build area, etc. Answer: The Zones of the competition include areas that vary in population, densities and functions. We can only assure that they are overcrowded with population and buildings. However, we cannot provide you accurate numbers. The Competitor can provide his own vision concerning these densities. Question: The drawings doesn't show the different levels of the underground, the main street & the bridges .So can you provide us with sections in different parts crossing Ramses square, showing this different height levels ? Answer: Drawings are provided in jpg. However, the requested sections are not available. Question: What are the different regulations for the different study zones (Land uses, Building heights – Floor Area Ratio – Building density...), to be considered while proposing the suggested design? Answer: Zones (2) and (3) follow the regulations of Law 119, Act 2 (Urban Harmony), chapter 2 “The Valuable Areas”. The Law is available only in Arabic language. However, it is sent to Competitors via e-mail. Question: Can you provide us with further detailed drawings and information of the Ramses Metro Station (e.g., detailed floor plans, levels, etc.) Answer: The underground station is named Mubarak Station. It’s a question that was already answered and sent to all competitors by mail.