Seif Allah Alnaga, head of the Egyptian Society of Architects, called for an immediate halt to all ongoing redevelopment work at Orman Garden and the Giza Zoo, warning that it is “destroying and vandalizing” the two sites’ historic botanical and architectural heritage, which he said “forms an integral part of Egypt’s identity.”
In a statement published on his Facebook account Tuesday, Alnaga urged oversight authorities to review the project, immediately suspend the work, and submit the plans to Egyptian experts specializing in the field.
According to the statement, the Society of Architects expressed its “deepest concern” over the redevelopment work at the two sites, saying specialists’ recommendations had been ignored and authorities had broken commitments made before work began. Those commitments included preserving the urban and landscape design, avoiding new structures that would harm the gardens’ overall appearance, protecting all historic and valuable trees, and preserving registered monuments within the sites.
The statement concluded that the redevelopment is severely damaging the gardens’ historic character, environmental value, and visual appeal.
Alnaga said the association had spent the past two years trying to save the gardens and outlined what it considers the project’s main violations. The association met with the head of the Military Production Company for Engineering Consultancy, which is overseeing the project.
“We went through the plans line by line and explained the precautions needed to preserve the gardens and the philosophy behind their creation, because they are heritage sites under Egypt’s Urban Harmony Law,” he said.
The association also submitted a document outlining its recommendations, including rejecting a bridge linking Orman Garden and the zoo because of its impact on Cairo University’s main avenue and protecting green spaces and rare trees.
He added that they also met with the Malaysian consultant implementing the project, who initially appeared understanding. “But it seems the issue is bigger than him, and in the end he’ll carry out orders. His salary is all that matters,” Alnaga said.
The Agriculture Ministry had previously denied what it described as “reports circulating about the cutting down of palms and rare trees in Orman Garden during redevelopment,” insisting that the work is limited to upgrading infrastructure without adding new buildings. Alnaga rejected the claim, saying “the crime is obvious. It’s not hidden.”
He said anyone passing through the area can see massive concrete structures and new cafes and restaurants inside the gardens, built after clearing green spaces and historic trees.
Alnaga said the construction extends beyond cafes and restaurants to include new bungalows for overnight visitors inside the historic park. “Was the garden rebuilt so people could spend the night there? They just want to make money, that’s all,” he said.
He argued that in practice the term “development” has become synonymous with “destruction and the demolition of heritage,” saying archaeological and historic sites require preservation and maintenance, not redevelopment based on demolition and replacement that disregards the site’s identity.
Alnaga urged officials to distinguish between an asset’s value and its price, saying a rare tree they may believe is worth 10,000 Egyptian pounds (about $200) has environmental and historical value that cannot be measured in money. He warned that Egypt risks losing its architectural and environmental identity because of such policies.
He said the association’s next step will be to contact the head of the National Organization for Urban Harmony to discuss the crisis, although he fears the effort may ultimately produce no meaningful results.
In August 2021, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi directed the Agriculture Ministry to develop its parks and gardens across Greater Cairo, including the Giza Zoo and Orman Garden, in partnership with experienced foreign firms, with the aim of “developing and maximizing the value of these assets and bringing them up to international standards.”
In November that year, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reviewed preliminary plans for the redevelopment project, which aims to transform the two sites into leading parks in the region.
