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Al-Ahram Weekly 22 - 28 July 1999 Issue No. 439 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 22 - 28 July 1999 Issue No. 439
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Focus Interview Travel Living Sports Time Out Chronicles People Cartoons Letters 
Re-dressing the 'bride'
By Sahar El-BahrIt was a proud day for Alexandria last week when UNESCO announced that the international "Peace Cities Prize" -- presented annually -- would be awarded to the city. This honorary prize, established several years ago, is awarded to cities that managed to develop their potential and have a promising future. Hence, the announcement crowned the efforts made by the new local administration towards revamping the historic city.
Once the 'Bride of the Mediterranean', Alexandria suffered in the past from negligence, forcing many holiday-makers to flock instead to Red Sea resorts. The city's beaches were littered with garbage, the sea was polluted with sewage and both pedestrians and motorists clogged the streets.
However, as Alexandria goes through a new summer season and prepares for the millennium, Abdel-Salam El-Mahgoub, the city's new governor, is well ahead with his plan to deal head on with these problems: roads are being widened, bridges are under construction, buildings are getting a fresh coat of paint and the sewage system is being upgraded.
"Holiday-makers will not recognise the city this summer," commented Ali Mahmoud, an Alexandria resident. The governor's efforts are greatly appreciated by locals, who believe that the decline in the city's reputation was a result of the carelessness of past officials.
The centre-piece of El-Mahgoub's efforts has been a plan to broaden the seaside boulevard or Corniche. "The aim is to solve traffic problems, especially during the summer season. But we [the governorate] have been careful not to encroach on the sandy beaches. Instead, we are increasing the width of the Corniche by removing the ugly old chalets that used to obstruct the sea view," explained Afaf Tawfik, the press officer of the Alexandria Governorate. To date, approximately 200 chalets and two cafeterias have been removed.
The Corniche, a 19km-long boulevard, and a city landmark, was built by the Ministry of Public Works in the 1930s. Beginning at the eastern end of the city at Al-Montazah, it winds its way along the coast until the Ras Al-Tin Palace on the city's western edge.
Tawfik explained that the first phase of the mega-project was concluded last June at a cost of LE12 million. This phase covers the stretch between the Al-Mahrousa Hotel and Khaled Ibn Al-Walid Street, a distance of about three kilometres. The second phase will begin from Khaled Ibn Al-Walid and cover a distance of 3.5 kms to Al-Montazah Palace and the Al-Maamoura area, at a cost of LE25 million. This phase is described by governorate authorities as the most important, because it serves an area that is usually the most crowded during the summer season. The third and last phase will begin at San Stefano and end in Gleem, a distance of about two kilometres.
The project will turn the 14-metre-wide, two-lane road into a 21-metre-wide, six-lane avenue. The changes will also include new Roman-style gates, by which the beaches can be accessed, and new seating on the pavement, interspersed with palm trees.
New public conveniences have also been built, and the system of pedestrian tunnels is to be dramatically expanded. Also buildings overlooking the Corniche are being restored and re-painted -- all in one colour.
Major squares, including Saad Zagloul, Al-Raml and Al-Manshiya, and Misr Station are being revamped.
Al-Manshiya Square, pathway to the markets of Al-Attarin, for old furniture, and Zanqet Al-Sitat, for women's accessories, is being completely re-planned. "Preserving the historical heritage of the area is the most important part of our improvement plans," Tawfik said. The huge and ugly advertisements that used to disfigure the image of the square have been removed.
The bus terminal and tram tracks at Al-Manshiya Square will be removed and replaced by greenery. "The aim is to beautify the square, but what is also important is to make it easier for shoppers to walk freely in this commercial area," said Tawfik. Shop-owners are pleased with the changes. "In economic terms, the project will attract investors to Alexandria. It means more customers for us," said Hamdi Khamis, the owner of a small shop in Souk Libya in Al-Manshiya.
The near future will also see the inauguration of the Moharram Bek Bridge, connecting the two highways leading to Alexandria, one through the desert and the other across the Delta, with the Corniche, downtown and other tourist sites. The new bridge is 3,300 metres long and will cost a total of LE60 million.
Plans to stop wastewater dumping in the sea are also progressing rapidly. Minister of Housing Mohamed Ibrahim Soleiman recently announced that, as of next month, treated sewage water will be directed to Lake Maryout instead. According to Tawfik, the first phase of the sewage project was completed this year, with the European Financing Bank paying $2 billion in aid. This covered about 50 per cent of Alexandria, and Tawfik pointed out that "no less than another $2 billion is needed to cover the rest of the city."
Garbage is another problem which officials say will be solved once garbage collection is privatised; tenders are expected to be announced soon.
Further, one of the fringe benefits of the UNESCO awards has been a UNESCO project, also announced last week, to improve and beautify the downtown Fouad Street -- the oldest street in Alexandria.
It seems that the city is more than ready to take on the future.
