Introducing a New Methodology to Deal with Gentrification in Urban Neighborhoods: Case study of Fatimid Cairo and Heliopolis

Since many urban development projects aim to improve the urban life of neighbourhoods. Therefore, gentrification is one of the notions which deals with urban neighbourhoods targeting similar aims. But, gentrification does not develop everywhere the same, it has many different aspects social, cultural, economic and political. Those aspects define the process of gentrification and how it develops in urban neighbourhoods. The lack of knowledge to the notion of gentrification generates a challenging subject, that needs investigation and research. However, as the role of gentrification in urban neighbourhoods is vital and essential, the consequences are also significant. The most significant consequence is displacement; while the research focus is not to deal with this issue. The focus of the research is to discover gentrification process in urban neighbourhoods, proof its existence and create a comprehensive approach to deal with the process. This approach provides a tool for decision makers first; to expect possible gentrification location, second; to deal with gentrification in already gentrified neighbourhoods and third; to maximize gentrification positive consequences and minimize its negative ones. ... mehrThus, the methodology used both qualitative and quantitative approaches to analyse the gentrification situation in two old districts of Cairo, Elgamalia and Heliopolis. Accordingly, the tools and methods used are; documentation, archival records, interviews, sample survey, direct observations, socio-cultural, economic, political, demographic, housing circumstances, and physical analysis were used in this research. Meanwhile the conclusions showed that both case studies witnessed gentrification process differently. In Elgamalia, gentrification is lead by commercial activities, while in Heliopolis it is more financial and residential gentrification. In addition, the research achieved its main objectives, presented in the comprehensive theoretical framework and the Gentrification Indicators List (GIsL) which will allow decision makers to deal with the notion of gentrification in urban neighbourhoods in Egypt.