Resident Perspective: Mukattam
Resident Perspective is a series of standardized interviews with Cairo residents to get their views on the city and their neighborhoods.
Where in Cairo do you live?
Mokattam. It's a great area though neglected by the government.
List the most positive and the most negative aspects of living there.
Positive: Clean air (much less pollution than the rest of Cairo). Semi quite (though I live on the main street and it's noisy but like Mosadaq street for example). Got all services (Water, electricity and natural gas). Shops are not expensive as Zamalek (though it's a little more expensive than the rest of Cairo).
Negative: Not enough transport. The main mode of method is microbus which means you're under the mercy of the microbus drivers mafia. For example, during the demonstrations at the MB head quarters, the drivers increased the fare from 1.5 pounds to 2 pounds and didn't enter Nafora sq (which is a major bus stop). Not enough buses. There is greenery but not enough. Too much sandy spaces without gardens. Poor pedestrian pavements. Low quality asphalt and bumpy roads.
How do you move around Cairo (modes of transport) and what would you like to see different regarding the future of transport in the city?
-Underground metro - Tram (if available and pops up at the station on time). - Public Buses (CTA normal and air-conditioned) - Mini Buses if available. - Microbuses - Taxis I would like to see more bus lanes (and the one at Salah Salem and Autostrade revived) and to have the tram network revived by upgrading the tracks and trains (example of good trams, Berlin and Bonn Trams). I would also love to see cycling lanes and proper pavements for pedestrians. In addition we should have more safe passage and pedestrians crossing areas (such as pedestrians traffic lights on major roads, tunnels and bridges that have escalators/elevators to accommodate for all people's varying needs).
How does your district fit within Cairo? What would you like to see changed in that relationship between your neighborhood and the city?
It's central, though kind of isolated but connect through microbuses and mini bus lanes. Mokattam is well connected by road though, having exits on Salah Salem, autostrade, Ring road, Carrefour and ElShaheed corridor.
What are your top complaints about Cairo and what would you suggest to solve those problems?
Pollution (Air and Noise (car honks and sellers yelling to sell their products)) solution: plant more trees, gardens and reallocate unnecessary buildings out of Cairo (storage warehouse, factories, huge companies that have a lot of vehicles and no parking space). Traffic: Solution (Short term: Educated and re train all Egyptian drivers, cause most of the traffic is actually due to driver attitude. Paint lanes on the streets correctly with correct traffic signs. Make sure current buses are functioning at full performance. revive bus lanes. make shuttle buses between neighborhoods and the nearest metro stations. LONG TERM: expand and revive tram network. remove all factories from Greater Cairo and send them near to sea ports or to Upper Egypt. Re allocate Government buildings and it's employee to new areas and provide incentives for professionals to leave Cairo (build more schools/hospitals. provide better salaries/lifestyle for out of Cairo jobs and residents). Have a PROPER PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND RAIL NETWORK!. Waste Management: Solution: Encourage separation of waste at the source (split glass, plastic, metal, food etc). re allocate zabalen factories to the vast desert on Ring road facing New Cairo (behind elWafa we elamel landfill area). Provide zabaleen proper homes in new Cairo and proper tools/cars for garbage collection
What do you like the most about Cairo and what are your favorite places in the city.
Cairo Metro, the cultural scene, Zamalek and Downtown.
Favorite places: Townhouse Gallery, Tak3eiba (cafe), Bikya Cafe in Nasr City.
Do you relate to the historic heritage of your district or of Cairo in general? Do you think you have a good sense of history of the city? Would you say you are have “civic pride” or are proud to live in Cairo?
I would love to but don't have enough info or access to it. Thankfully Cairobservers is trying to do that (right?)
Do you understand how the city is governed/managed? Do you think your community/district would be better or worst if residents from the community/district were involved in local government (محليات)?
Yes, I studied political science and local political systems at college.
In the context of Cairo, what comes to mind when you think of these keywords?
Green Space/Parks: Love and Nature
Gated communities: Isolation
Informal areas: Poor areas that need to be fixed/reallocated
Downtown: Love <3 an area that needs to regenerated :)
If you could move to another district in Cairo where would you move to?
Zamalek or downtown. Yes, I would love to add that Cairo is not sustainable any more!
*If you would like to tell us about where you live and share your views on Cairo, fill the survey by clicking here.
