Questions and Answers

Question The ownership of the Azbakia Park is for the government and it is a public park, for the Egyptian club weapons that is located in it, is it the same? Answer The club occupies a part of the park, but does not own it. Question Concerning the first winner project in Khedivial Cairo competition, do we have to follow it in the following points; • The traffic problems solutions that proposed from the Fist winner project; as some of these solutions are covering our project area.• The tram way that is proposed in the first winner project is passing through our project area, as it go from Opera square to Tahrir square and other parts.• Land uses and activities, do we have to follow the same proposed changes in land uses and activities that done in the first winner project, or it is not obligatory.• Also if there were any new proposed urban concepts for the project area (Ataba – Opera) squares in the winner project to we have to follow them? Answer The concepts are given as a guideline and are not obligatory. Question Do we have flexibility in changing uses for existing buildings, or demolishing some of them (for the not listed heritage buildings) and add new buildings to serve our new concept and vision? Answer Changing the uses of the buildings, demolishing and adding new buildings are all accepted ideas as long as listed buildings are preserved and not demolished. Question Is the border of the project area is the same border that send in the drawings which send from NOUH in the competition CD, and do we have to respect it and consequently there is no need to enlarge the scope of the study? Answer Competitors should respect the project area shown and identified in the TOR. Question Is the Bridge going to be removed? Answer There is a public trend to remove the Bridge as it represents a visual problem. Question We are requesting copy from the previous similar Urban Planning Projects which will be of a great benefit to us. Answer The necessary basic information is already provided. Question Do we have to create our personal code, or it will be offered by the organizing committee? Answer As mentioned in the TOR of the competition, the identification code will be chosen by the competitors. Question Since the submission was postponed for about 10 days, is it expected to postpone the deadline? Answer Postponing the deadline is not expected. Therefore, Competitors have to stick to the schedule. Question To what extent do we have to respect the concepts introduced in the competition for Khedival Cairo? Answer The concepts are given as a guideline and are not obligatory. Question It’s mentioned that we have to submit a CD, Does it include only the panels or we have to submit some additional documents (presentation, studies…etc)? Answer According to the TOR of the Competition, the 1st stage Competitors should present a CD that includes only: a- Urban studies to identify planning impacts. b- Proposed design concept (scale 1:2000) and necessary illustrations. Question For listed heritage buildings, can we change its uses or propose new uses? Answer Yes, Competitors can change the uses of Listed Buildings or propose new ones. Question For the submission sheets, is it accepted to increase the number of submission sheets? And if it is open what is the maximum accepted number of sheets? Answer Competitors should stick to the TOR. Consequently, it is not accepted to increase the number of sheets requested. Question Are the delivery dates in the TOR are final dates, and there will no future changes on them? Answer Yes, postponing the deadline is not expected. Therefore, Competitors have to stick to the schedule. Question For the CD, can we add a presentation or movie to summarize the concept without any identification to the competitor name or title, or it is not accepted? Answer No, competitors should stick to requirements mentioned in the TOR Question What are the current Socio / Economic / Demographics Statistics for the area? Answer All available data was presented to the Competitors. Any additional required data should be the Competitor's responsibility. Question Have any recent Planning Studies for the Squares, the Surrounding Neighborhood and the District been undertaken? Answer All relevant studies were provided on the DVD and the TOR presented to all competitors. There are some other studies available on NOUH's Website. Any additional required data should be the Competitor's responsibility. Question Has the local community and key stakeholders been consulted about improving to the Squares and Neighbourhoods? And if yes, what have been their comments? Answer No, Not yet. Question How important to the Neighborhood and District are the Informal Markets? Answer Informal Markets are not restricted to the neighborhood and district. Instead, they serve whole Cairo. Question What is the general condition of the Buildings in the area? To what extent can we propose the demolition and replacement of existing buildings? Answer All available data was provided to the competitors. Any additional required data or information should be the Competitor's responsibility. Question Can we make proposals for re-arrangement of the urban grid? Answer No, the urban grid should be respected according to the law. Question Do we have flexibility in changing road directions, make tunnels, convert car roads to pedestrian, or we have any restrictions concerning these issues? Answer Yes, Competitors are free to suggest and propose solutions to the two Squares' problems. Question What community facilities should be ideally provided in the area? Answer This depends on the vision of the competitor. Question Are there any current development proposals that we need to be aware of? Answer Yes, Opera and Ataba Squares are parts of Khedivial Cairo. Competitors should be acquainted with the attached study. Question Is there a recent City Wide Planning Vision? And if yes, do the Squares and Surrounding district fit into this vision? Answer Yes, this vision exists on a strategic level. It is available on the website of GOPP. Question Is there a List and Plan explaining which Historic Buildings MUST be retained? Answer This piece of information is given to all the competitors on the DVD. Question What number of car parking spaces would be required for the proposed underground car park? And are there any restrictions on the depth of the basement parking? Answer Number of parking spaces should be relevant to the proposed program. The depth should be -10.5 according to the Egyptian parking garage code. Question Are there any key Services Utilities (water, electricity, drainage, etc...) in the area that must be kept and retained? Answer Yes, according to the TOR and the given DVD, major utilities should be respected and minor utilities can be relocated if needed. Question Are there proposals to remove the elevated road structures? Or are these to be retained? Answer There is a public trend to remove the elevated road structures as they represent a visual problem. Question Can we remove the service buildings inside Azbakia Park like Egyptian club weapons? Can we also substitute the mosque inside the park with a larger one? Answer Competitors are free to remove some buildings except for the listed buildings such as the old building of the Egyptian club weapons and the National Theatre. Question Although it is recommended to remove the Opera parking lot, can it be reserved and reused? Answer The TOR of the competition stipulates the removal of the garage. Question What are the proposed spaces for multi-storey garages? Answer It is forbidden to construct multi-storey garages above the ground. Competitors are free to propose areas for only underground multi-storey garages. Question Can we divert the path of Al-Azhar Tunnel? Answer The path of the tunnel cannot be diverted, but it can be extended. Question Is there any information regarding the location of entrances/exits for the existing metro 2 line and the proposed metro 3 line? Is there an above ground site plan of the design for the metro station at Azbakiya Park beside that given in the GIS files? Can we assume that the entire site of the original Azbakiya Park is available to be developed as a park, or will the metro station encroach? Answer All available data was given to all competitors on the DVD of the Competition. Any more required information is the responsibility of competitors. The entire site of the original Azbakiya Park is available to be developed including the exits and entrances of the metro station. Question How much of the elevated Al Azhar highway can be dismantled? Is it to be removed just at Opera and Ataba Squares or can the entire length of the roadway through historic Fatimid Cairo to the east be removed? Answer This depends on the vision proposed by the contestant for the area.