Preparing to open the heritage park to the public soon, to be a breathing space and a park for Cairo residents. Minister of Housing: the works included reviving the architectural and heritage value of the historical buildings in the garden. Madbouly hands over a number of contracts to beneficiaries of kiosk owners who moved from the old Al Azbakeya wall to the new market. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly - Prime Minister, began his tour today of a number of projects in Cairo’s historic areas, by inspecting the revitalization project of Al Azbakeya Gardens after the completion of work. He was accompanied by Dr. Manal Awad - Minister of Local Development, Eng. Sherif El Sherbiny - Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, Dr. Ibrahim Saber Khalil – Cairo Governor, Eng. Mohamed Abou Saada - Head of the National Authority for Urban Harmony, Eng. Ahmed El Assar - Chairman of the Arab Contractors Company, Mr. Ahmed Rizk - Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Egypt, officials from the two ministries and the governorate, Dr. Maher Astino -Project Consultant, Eng. Hassan Mustafa – Senior Vice Chairman of the Arab Contractors, Eng. Mohamed Elwi - AC Board Member, and Eng. Khaled Rayan – Manager of the Distinguished Facilities Department at the Arab Contractors Company. Eng. Sherif El Sherbiny - Minister of Housing, explained that Al Azbakeya Garden is one of the oldest parks in Cairo Governorate, and the only green space in the Khedivial Cairo Plan. The Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities is implementing revitalization works as part of the projects to revive historic Cairo, to restore the splendour of this ancient garden as a breathing space and a park for Cairo residents. He pointed out that the works included reviving the architectural and heritage value of the buildings of historical value in the park, which was implemented with great precision. The Minister of Housing said that Al Azbakeya Gardens project is part of the projects to revive Khedivial Cairo, which also includes the paved space for historic theaters, new Azbakeya Book Market, the Fencing Club, the Opera House Garage, the Khedivial Cairo Buildings (Qasr El Nile Street), the Stock Exchange Triangle passageways, and Al Tawheed Mosque. The Minister of Housing reviewed the various aspects of the project to revitalize Al Azbakeya Heritage Garden, noting that the project aims to renovate the historic lake according to the latest systems, restore historic buildings such as the fountain, rehabilitate old trees and provide the necessary reinforcements, and rehabilitate buildings overlooking the park. In light of this, the Prime Minister listened to a detailed explanation of the current implementation status of the project, which includes (the lake – the historic fountain – the Roman theater – the pergolas – the cafeteria – the restaurant – the walls – and others). The works include several axes, namely, preserving the valuable heritage trees, in addition to renovating some components of the park such as: the historic fountain, the Fencing Club building, and the heritage hill area, in addition to reviving the lake, the open theater, the cafeteria building, and the heritage walls and pergolas. The Prime Minister and his entourage toured the park’s various components, with the aim of preparing for the opening of the heritage park and making it available to the public soon, as a recreational outlet for Cairo’s residents. Meanwhile, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly directed the development of a comprehensive vision for the park’s operation as soon as possible. This vision should include clear mechanisms for operating this heritage park at the highest level of efficiency, ensuring its preservation and contributing to the sustainability of the significant efforts made to restore its civilized appearance. Following this, the Prime Minister and his entourage moved to monitor the progress and current status of the new book market in Al Azbakeya. The Minister of Housing explained the status of the new bookstores, with a total area of 805 m2, as well as the development work being carried out to improve services, including the construction of kiosks, restrooms, and the area’s administration building. The Minister explained the operating procedures for book and beverage kiosks in Al Azbakeya Heritage Garden, which include maintaining a unified architectural design, avoiding the placement of random signs, prohibiting powerful spotlights that are inconsistent with the heritage character, and implementing periodic maintenance under the supervision of a unified consultant. The minister said that the kiosks have been delivered to the beneficiaries, and a buffer zone is being created for the market area alone, so that market goers and those exiting the metro station can move around without passing through the construction site. Coordination has also been made with the National Authority for Tunnels to soon open the metro gate overlooking the book market. The Prime Minister praised the newly renovated kiosks’ civilized character, particularly since they bear the names of great Egyptian writers and thinkers. He directed the need to preserve this new, civilized image of the book market. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly handed over a number of contracts to the beneficiaries of the kiosk owners who moved from old Azbakeya Wall to the new market. Meanwhile, one of the kiosk owners displayed pictures illustrating the different historical stages of Al Azbakeya Wall. The Governor of Cairo indicated that temporary permits were issued to the kiosk owners until all contracts are delivered to them. The kiosk owners praised the new market that the state implemented for old Al Azbakeya Wall, stressing that they feel proud after receiving their kiosk contracts, and that they will work in a clean, civilized environment that keeps pace with the development witnessed by the New Republic in all fields.