The historiography of present-day Alexandria is deeply dominated by its classical history. There are barely any connections to the city’s present and living heritage where millions live and coexist. Contemporary Alexandria is facing long-impacting economic, demographic and social challenges. This could be due to the absence of strategic vision and appropriate planning based on a public participation process leaving the city unable to adequately meet society’s needs. Resulting in a deformed homogenetic urban fabric, impacting people’s quality of life, and creating social gaps and inequality among all levels of the Alexandrian society. However, the city’s significant tangible and intangible cultural heritage is in a continuous dynamic process of appropriation and reinterpretation. The rapid and urban growth has catalysed society’s creativity. Alexandria’s inhabitants sought to balance their lives and rehabilitate the city in a way that made it work for them. They had transformed the spaces (the creation of the past) into livable places, turning the deteriorated environment into a resilient, rich, and dynamic ecosystem.
Alexandria’s unique identity which is composed of diverse segments from the past and present, provides a rich source of inspiration. Architects, artists, and professionals might need to stop searching for solutions inside studios and rather start looking for inspiration ground and within the people. Architects and artists can benefit from social science methodologies to enhance their understanding of how such modern societies function, which is a key to a sustainable future.
In “The Alexandrian” artwork and urban research, I utilise my artistic visual language alongside architectural and heritage experiences. I examine the dynamics of present-day Alexandrian society and their influence on the evolution of the city’s urban and built environment. The aim is to observe and analyse the communal behaviours of the city users, focusing on fostering an objective understanding of the changing values and cultures. Additionally, it promotes communication and knowledge-sharing through readable artistic language among the diverse social groups in contemporary Alexandria.
Mohamed Gohar 