Celebrating Existing Public Spaces in Egypt!

Open Call for Submitting Best Practices of Public Spaces in Egypt

The World Urban Forum 12 – Cairo 2024

1. Introduction

In 2024, Cairo will host the 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) from 4 to 8 November 2024 an international conference organized by UN-Habitat in collaboration with the Government of Egypt to promote sustainable urban development and exchange urban experiences and policies. This year’s forum will focus on the localization of the sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting local initiatives and actions required to address current global challenges.

Each edition of the World Urban Forum is coupled with a legacy initiative to leave behind a sustainable impact in host cities. It is usually implemented through projects and initiatives that promote sustainable urban development, enhance community participation, and empower the local community aiming at improving the quality of life for all. This year’s legacy initiative focuses on making public spaces in Egypt accessible to all. In this context, in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Local Development the legacy initiative is launching a CALL to celebrate best practices of existing and used public spaces across Egypt are launched.

While collectively believing in the importance of public spaces in improving the quality of life in cities, this initiative is capitalizing on the role of public spaces and public space networks in sustainable urban development. This call aims to promote the concept of how successful public spaces are able to impact local communities progressively. A successful public space capitalizes on inclusive design and use to drive local socio-economic and environmental change for the better.

2. Objectives

• Highlighting Public Spaces in Egypt and Raising Public Awareness: Identify and celebrate Egypt’s vibrant open public spaces that are designed to meet local needs, demonstrated by vibrant community use, that is backed up by a sustainable and efficient operation and maintenance frameworks.
• Promote Knowledge Exchange: Provide a platform for local communities, NGOs, local governments and the private sector to share their experiences and insights in the development, design and operation of public spaces in Egypt.
• Encourage Replication and Expansion: Inspiring decision-makers and development partners in other urban areas in Egypt to adopt similar practices, and promoting prominent and effective practices in the development of public spaces.

3. Selection Criteria

Any existing, operational and functional public space that can be accessed for a nominal fee or without any fees (such as streets, gardens, open squares, passageways and walkways, parks, beaches, markets, open sports centers… etc) considering the following:

**”Please note that the submitted space must fulfill at least two of the following criteria.” **

• Usage by the public: The space should be vibrant and has diverse uses and activities. It should also be used by the various segments of society and has the ability to promote inclusiveness and participation in community life.
• Socio-economic impact: The space should have a measurable positive impact on the local economy, social structure, cohesion and community resilience.
• Operation and maintenance: The space should have good operation and maintenance framework, demonstrating continuous care and management.
• Environmental sustainability: The space should have environmentally sustainable elements and practices contributing to urban biodiversity, reducing pollution, and promoting green infrastructure.
• Accessibility and mobility within the space: The space should have entrances, ramps, barrier free corridors, clear signage and tactile indicators (for the visually impaired). In addition to the possibility of using wheelchairs inside the space to accommodate people with diverse abilities and for parents of young children.
• Urban furniture: The space should have adequate and accessible seating areas quality, as well as the possibility of toilets
• Comfort and safety: The extent to which comfort and safety elements such as shade, clear signage and proper lighting are present and effective. Visible security measures in emergency situations, the environment is welcoming for all.

4. Eligibility Requirements for Submission:

Applications are open to:

• Local Communities: Users of the space or groups that are actively involved in the creation, operation and maintenance of the public space (such as architects, planners, local operators..etc.).
• Non-Governmental Organizations: Organizations working on the design, implementation or operation of a public space.
• Local Government Bodies: Local units and government agencies responsible for urban planning and management of public spaces.
• Private Sector: Any private sector entity that has contributed to the establishment, design, management or operation of the public space.

5. Application Requirements

Applicants must provide the following information:

PUBLIC SPACE INFORMATION:

1. Name of the Public Space (required)
2. Address (including geo-location) (required)
3. Name of the Designer and Implementation Partners (if known)
4. Photos or videos of the Public Space in Use (required)
   • PDF, JPEG for images with minimum size of 2 MB – if unavailable please indicate
   • MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14), AVI (Audio Video Interleave) or MOV (QuickTime File Format) for videos. (no size limit)
5. Description of Activities (required) – Describe a minimum of 1 activity that happens in the space.
6. Maintenance Practices/ management frameworks (if available)
7. Socioeconomic Impact (if available)

APPLICANT INFORMATION:

1. Name
2. Name of Affiliation: (Individual, Governmental Entity, NGO, Private Sector)
3. Address
4. E-mail address
5. Phone number

6. Application Process

1. Submission: Applications should be submitted to [unhabitat.egypt@un.org] by 12.10.2024.
2. Review: A panel of experts will review the submissions based on the specified criteria.
3. Selection: The selected spaces will be announced on 31 October 2024 and the winners will be celebrated during Cairo Urban Week and WUF12 presenting winners at a dedicated session.

7. Timeline

• Announcement: 13 September 2024
• Application Deadline: 12 October 2024
• Selection Announcement: 31 October 2024
• Celebrating the winners during the forum: WUF12 November 2024 (5^th November 2024)

8. Terms and Conditions

• Intellectual Property Rights:

Ownership: Applicants retain ownership of their work but grant UN Habitat and the Government of Egypt a license to use the submission for promotional purposes, exhibitions, etc.

Usage Rights: The submission will be used in publications, exhibitions, presentations and social media with clear credit to the applicant.

* This initiative, as part of the WUF Legacy Programme, aims to celebrate and disseminate the best practices in public space development in Egypt, recognizing the efforts of communities, NGOs, and local governments. By showcasing these exemplary spaces at WUF12 in Cairo, we hope to inspire continued innovation and investment in public spaces, fostering more inclusive, vibrant, and resilient urban environments.