Livelihood Reports Al Amrikeya Area - Final Assessment | Page 131

2.3.5.4 Softscape and Vegetation
The AAA, in general, does not contain any sig-
nificant zones of greenery. (Figure 40) Instead,
trees are used as shading devices in front of
buildings in areas that are affected by heat
and sunlight in the morning. The placement
of trees allows for shop extensions to remain
comfortable for customers throughout the day.
Such cases are found around al-Amrikiyya Mall
(Figure 41) and facing the main roads which are
more exposed to the sunlight. Grass islands act
as buffer zones between the slow lane facing
al-Amrikiyya Mall and al-Tahrir Street. There
are two green plots adjacent to the 6th of Oc-
tober University, used as a buffer zone between
Aly al-Deen I Mall and the University (Figure
42). Although a great potential for the area,
this small park was observed to be very un-
derused and not well maintained, being empty
in the morning and described in interviews as
“unsafe” in the evening (Figure 43).
Concrete flower boxes line the pavements at
both Aly al-Deen Malls to mark the boundary
between sidewalk and street, and possibly to
prevent street vendors from displaying on the
sidewalks (Figure 44). Most flower boxes were
found to be in fact without plants at all, caus-
ing them to attract garbage instead. Shops use
lightweight (plastic, etc.) flower boxes to deco-
rate the exterior or mark boundaries between
one shop and the other. In areas where there
are many adjacent cafes this method of demar-
cation is very frequent, alongside wooden fenc-
es, to
77 | Understanding the development context
Figure 40: Some green areas exist but are remote or inac-
cessible © Takween icd
Figure 41: Trees are placed sporadically around al-Amriki-
yya Mall © Takween icd
Figure 42: Entry to the green space by 6th of October
University is blocked from the main road by rows of trees
© Takween icd