One of the Middle East's most famous cities is undergoing a revival, as Egyptian authorities have launched a project to restore historic areas of Cairo to its former glory.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The history of Historic Cairo – that existed before the city's expansion during the 19th and 20th centuries - dates back centuries, but currently many parts of the thousand-year-old World Heritage Site are deteriorating.
This has prompted architects and restorers to begin the project, as they fear that ancient artifacts might otherwise be lost.
According to the lead coordinator of the project, during renovations, residents will relocate to low-rise apartments that will be built on vacant lots in the district. Several courtyards will also be turned into boutique hotels for tourists. The government aims to renovate about 10% of the area within the first two years of the plan.
Restorations have already begun on one site, an ancient cemetery and burial site of a pharaoh.
Historic Cairo was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO – the United Nation's cultural heritage agency – in 1979.
This article was first published by i24NEWS.
