Livelihood Reports Al Amrikeya Area - Final Assessment | Page 147

Mall of Arabia. Another small group get their
gadgets repaired in the area. Such diversifica-
tion of activities and products are well received
by the people; yet, there are others who would
appreciate more types of products and more
entertaining activities for kids.
Figure 53: Main landmarks in the AAA
2.4.1.3 Narratives from the Site
Upon survey of frequent users of the site, it can
be deduced that a large portion are not in fact
participants in the commercial activity of the
site, but rather visit as beggars. One mother has
been returning to the al-Amrikiyya Area every
other day between 6 and 8 pm for the past 8
years sending her children to collect money as
she waits for them in the green area near 6th
of October University. Another beggar shared
that his parents removed him from schooling
and they now live in the 7th district. Groups
of children from nearby orphanages are also
found begging in the streets. Groups of young
adults, once part of the orphanage system,
were known to organize into gangs ‘baltagiyya’
and attack visitors and locals alike until secu-
rity was increased. A local street vendor was
worried, upon interview, if he was considered
a member of these violent gangs due to previ-
89 | Understanding the development context
ous media coverage portraying all street users
of the area as such. Other members of the pub-
lic space include students from the neighbour-
ing university as well as a substantial refugee
community. One of the students complained
about a specific beggar, who would not let her
enter the university without first paying her. A
2-year resident of 6th of October and Iraqi ref-
ugee compared the al-Amrikiyya Area with his
hometown describing the local advantages in
prices, quality of products and services, quan-
tity of street litter, and general infrastructure.
He also noted that these progresses are in large
part due to the local Syrian refugee population;
without them, the neighbourhood would dete-
riorate.