1.1
INTRODUCTION TO THE AAA PROJECT
The 6th of October City hosts the largest number of refugees in Egypt . Almost 25 % of the country ’ s total number of Syrian Refugees live in this city . The central area of the city located in between the 6th of October City Administration ( CA ) and al-Hossary Mosque ( one of the city ’ s most important landmarks ) has been developing over the past two decades ; encompassing the 6th of October City University in addition to a dynamic mixed-use zone known as Al-Amrikiyya Area ( AAA ). The importance and vitality of the AAA has been escalating , especially over the past few years due to the increased presence of Syrian refugees in the city . Subsequently , AAA has become an important gathering point ; a hub of different commercial , administrative , residential and social activities ; and an important urban node .
AAA consists of several building blocks with predominantly commercial activities in their lower floors mostly operated by Egyptians and Syrian refugees , with few other Iraqi and Jordanian business owners . Food and Beverage ( F & B ) activities constitute the majority of the businesses in AAA , which operate in both formal and informal modes . Over the past 3-5 years ; due to its accessible location and quality -yet affordable- services and products , AAA has become a major attraction point for a diverse clientele of Egyptian and Syrian families , from different genders , age groups , types of users , and from inside and outside 6th of October City . Besides F & B , AAA provides other services and goods such as clothing , grocery , recreational activities , and services mainly targeting the students of the adjacent university .
By all means , the evolvement of AAA to become one of Greater Cairo ’ s most successful commercial and recreational hubs -attracting thousands of visitors everyday- is a success story in and of itself . However , aside from some limited studies there is a lack of in-depth understanding of why the Micro , Small and Medium-sized Enterprises ( MSMEs ) in this specific area have become so viable with the influx of Syrian refugees to the 6th of October City , what type of challenges and opportunities can emerge from such situation , and what are the future scenarios according to which the area can develop .
But the success of AAA as a mixed-use vital hub has its flip side too . The area ’ s success is caused with tangible physical pressures such as traffic congestions , crowding , solid waste problems , out of control public open space and street vending activities , deteriorated physical environment ( streets , sidewalks , and infrastructure ), etc . But more importantly , this success is also paralleled by a set of less visible and intangible forces such as the chronic deficiencies of the institutional and urban governance structure in Egypt ; potential gentrification , speculation and real-estate pressures ; and some potential tensions that arise among the host and refugee communities due to the AAA ’ s high economic success .
According to recent studies , “ refugee resettlement in advanced economies may have significant short-term costs , but once refugees have adjusted they can provide substantial contributions to the workforce and economic development in the long-term at the regional level . Research supports evidence that refugees are highly motivated and wish to give back to their host country . Refugees are more likely to be entrepreneurial and enjoy higher rates of successful business ventures compared to natives . In addition , several studies indicate that refugees provide increased economic demand for goods and services in the community through their new purchasing power . ( 1 ) Therefore , this project is not only about the upgrading and development of the AAA , but is also about what lessons ( whether positive or negative ) we can learn from it especially on levels of urban and economic inclusion , social and cultural integration , and the different dynamics refugees bring about to such areas .
1- Chmura Economics & Analytics . ( 2013 ). Economic Impact of Refugees in the Cleveland Area . Cleveland : Chmura Economics & Analytics . P . 8 .
3 | Background