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Towards A Sustainable Waterfront Development "Case Study of Port Said

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 International Journal of Environmental Science
Shimaa M. Ali et al. http://www.iaras.org/iaras/journals/ijes

Towards A Sustainable Waterfront Development

”Case Study of Port Said City”
SHIMAA
SHIMAA M. M. ALI
ALI
Department of Architecture and Urban Planning
Faculty of Engineering
Suez Canal University, Ismailia
EGYPT
Shimaaali@eng.suez.edu.eg http://scuegypt.academia.edu/ShimaaAli
MOHAMED
AMR N. MOHAMED
Department of Architecture & Environmental Design,
Engineering and Technology College,
AAST, Port Said,
EGYPT
amr.nagy@aast.edu
NOURHAN EL
NOURHAN ELSOHAFI
SOHAFI
Department of Architecture & Environmental Design,
Engineering and Technology College,
AAST, Port Said,
EGYPT
Engnoura2013@gmail.com

Abstract: - Waterfront areas are one of the most challenging urban spaces that give a great opportunity for the
urban development not only for the waterfront context but also for the whole city. Communities around the
water bodies are full of features, which support to adapt the economic and social conditions. Also they become
unique places not only for trade, transport, and industry but also as recreational, and entertainment places.
Intervention in the existing waterfront is very critical procedures, which needs a sensitive strategy to regenerate
the waterfront of a city. Although the international attention to the phenomenon of waterfront development, and
also the local attention of developing Alexandria, the North Coast, and Al-Alamen new city, it has not getting
the same attention to some other water neglected areas on the Mediterranean. The study selected the case study
of Port Said – Egypt. Although, Port Said city is one of the most important Afro-Asian coastal cities, with
strategic location, and unique architectural heritage, and particular landscape, and a lot of potentials that
qualifies it to be global waterfront, but it has not getting the appropriate attention for real strategic vision for
development, only through some individual local attempts, and case by case project carried out by the decision
maker far from the planners, the community participation, and public interest as well. So, the study aims to
document and evaluate the recent development projects in the promenade waterfront in Port Said city in El
Shark district, and set a proposed framework based on comprehensive strategy that can be achieved by
guidelines to improve the waterfront development vision and shedding light on some potential spots for future
development, that through using different methodologies: descriptive, analytical, inductive, applied, and
deductive methodologies.

Key-Words: Port Said, Sustainability, waterfront, evaluation, comprehensive framework, promenades.

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1 Introduction 2 Literature Review: Urban Waterfront

Water is an inspiring natural and renewable Development
resource, which can be used in the aims of agricultural, In this part the research will present the state of the
industrial, energy generation, household, art of the urban waterfront development.
transportation, recreational, and environmental
development [1]. Waterfront has an important role in
2.1. Waterfronts and Urban waterfront
shaping the formation of the settlements and getting
their identities [2]. Definitions
Waterfront identifies the water’s edge in cities and Waterfront means: “The part of a town or city
towns [3]. So, it can be characterized as a place adjoining a river, lake, harbor, etc.”, that is in The
integrating land with water and having a natural Oxford American Dictionary [7]. In the urban
attraction to people [4]. A lot of literatures discuss the context, it is described as:  
waterfronts but it could be defined easily as the urban - Urban area that has integration between land and
context that has a strong visual or physical connection water [8].  
to the water [5], even these water bodies could be - Any property has strong visual or physical
river, lake, ocean, canal, sea…etc. It’s not necessarily connection to the water [6].  
for the waterfront to be directly fronting the water but - The conflux area of water and land [9].  
are tied to it visually or linked to it as a part of a larger Although the vocable of waterfront is clear, it has been
scheme [6]. met using some different words instead of it such as:
Since increasing the environmental awareness and the city port, harbor-front, riverside, river edge, water
pressure of urbanization the cities, waterfronts were edge, and riverfront. Some writers called the
rediscovered in the city, and the phenomenon of Waterfronts as romantic places where used for
regeneration them emerged. From 1980 urban dreaming and recreation; also waterfront left the
waterfront regeneration projects has become an feelings of openness that gives the ownership of the
effective tool for urban planning and politics. The place.
research depends on this regeneration perspective in
analysing the case study, and draws its aims and 2.1.1. Waterfront Development
methodologies. Because of their unique potential to provide society
Aims and Objectives: with diverse opportunities for economic development,
- Document and evaluate the recent projects public enjoyment, and civic identity, waterfront is one
occurring / taking place in Port Said city of the country’s main national resources. Development
waterfront. of the waterfront is a process that starts because of a
- Propose a comprehensive approach for community’s desire to improve the waterfront, which
waterfront development, which could be includes relatively consistent mixed-use development.
achieved through a number of guidelines for There are several meanings of waterfront development
waterfront future development in Port Said that vary depending on sites and cities, such as
city. waterfront regeneration, revitalization, rehabilitation,
- Achieve sustainable guidelines for coastal and waterfront redevelopment. [1]
waterfront development projects.
Research Methodology and Structure: 2.1.2. Development Categories of Waterfront [10]
The paper consists of 4 parts: It is important to know and identify in which scale
1. Descriptive Theoretical Background & and level we are targeting the waterfront development.
literature review: waterfront definitions, To start the process of the waterfront development, it’s
concepts of waterfront development, and important to identify first in which scale and level we
waterfront development principals and
are planning to proceed. While, the scale and type of
standards for design.
the waterfront redevelopment varies from city to city,
2. Inductive & analytical approach: historical
the basic concept is similar, shown in fig. (1).
background of Port Said city, city resources,
economic base, challenges facing the city after 1) Waterside development is the local and
ending of the free zone in 2009, and potential environmental planning scale, which focus on the
for tourism development. interaction between the human and the water and the
3. Practical & analytical approach: Document waterfront remedy to create and enjoyable water
and evaluate of the existing urban area of Port environment the research concerns with this level of
Said waterfront, land use, image, accessibility, development in Port Said city, in Egypt.
activities, linkage, and connectivity. 2) Waterfront development is urban planning scale,
4. Deductive approach: propose guidelines to which focuses on renewal and development of the
develop Port Said waterfront. urban areas.

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3) Coastal development is a national planning scale is established from the interaction

that concerns with the development strategies and the between the human practices towards the
implementation of planning, and its goal is to prescribe city areas including the waterfront areas.
the character of the city and the development scheme. The waterfront development is
considered as the identity preservation
catalyst and important opportunity to
represent the distinctive identity of the
city.
Socio- While the waterfront area is considered
Fig. 1 The three categories of waterfront development [1] Economi as an urban advantage, which attracts
Source: Riham A. Ragheb , 11, (2017). c many investments to the surrounding
Benefits territory and to the whole city, it
2.2. Principals of Sustainable Waterfronts becomes an urban structure with
In the context of the initiatives for the Global significant land value. These new
Conference on The Urban Future (Urban 21) [11] held investments must be compatible with the
in Berlin in July 2000 and in the course of the EXPO urban uses such as the cultural, tourism,
2000 World Exhibition [12], 10 Principles for a leisure projects. (Long- term value,
Sustainable Development of Urban Waterfront Competitive advantage, Business and
Areas were approved. market places).
• Protect water quality and the climate. Urban It is important to complex an
Depth indistinctive relationship between the
• Waterfront faces are part of the current urban
Develop land and the water whenever the
fabric.
ment land/water overlap zone is boarder, and
• Identification provides identification of
the success of the waterfront will
historical identification.
increase to contain many activities with
• Public access is a prerequisite. huge benefits of its water presence. So,
• Public participation is an element of the advantage of the water is not only
sustainability. from the thin line avenue along the water
• Public-private project planning speeds the edge. But it can be achieved through
process up. thinking of the edge avenue with the
• Waterfronts are long-term projects. perpendiculars of the water edge into the
• Waterfronts profit from international city.
networking. Accessib Accessibility to the waterfront areas
• Re-vitalization is an on-going process. ility from all the city direction by the network
2.3. Urban Waterfront Development Standards and many facilities such as public
transportations, pedestrian and bicycle
This part presents the urban waterfront development
beside the private vehicles. All of that
standards that had been applied in many waterfront
provide under a movement strategy to
regeneration projects across the world.
avoid any conflicts between all different
users.
Table I: Urban Standards
Place Although the pressure of the financial
Diverse and mixed uses, that include
Making and the commercial development of the
local business areas like industry,
Quality waterfronts, it is important to be a living
fishing, trade, recreation, transportation,
city. It can be achieved by providing
offices and residential areas, integrating
mixed uses areas; residential areas with
with the residential communities
rang of housing types a, facilities and
“school, playground, park, stores”, or
services, recreation and entertainment
with the leisure areas “recreational
activities. Also, movement on the water
Land uses facilities, public parks, culture facilities,
creates a special level of vitality on
public spaces, entertainment”
water, it can achieve by providing costal
Replacing the functions of the waterfront
ferry and terminals.
(to tourism and consumption industries
After the waterfront becomes a globalize
beside the socio-economic expand with
phenomenon to improving land
culture interest) is the generators to
development of the city, the image of the
redevelopment of the waterfront and to
city become one national and
the whole city and region.
international level to redevelopment the
Urban The urban identity is influenced essential
waterfront.
Identity by the natural and cultural dimensions. It

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“Creating ecological protection areas”, waterfront development programs, to enhance living

and “Sustainable waterfront conditions for residents. In addition, sustainable
development in the future” this interest development strategies seek to improve human welfare
should be for the coast, waterfront lands and create better places where people can stay, work,
and the city to face many challenges; and visit and present future residents.
global climatic variation, raise of the sea
level and wastes of various uses. So the 3.1. Analysis Methodology.
environmental protection can be Every Waterfront urban development strategy depends
achieved through selecting suitable on the conditions, opportunities, and problems of each
economic – social uses and responsible city and its waterfront. The research depends on:
usage of the resources with the assets of mapping analysis, field visit and survey, report
all decision makers. information and deskwork.
Through these applications: The methodology used in the study of the applied
- Secure the quality of water and area is in following steps:
environmental conservation of aquarium 1- Historical Background, and studying the urban
life; context of the case study “Port Said city”.
- Reduce consumption of energy and 2- Analyze the current situation of the selected area to
Environme
materials; present an evaluation based on the analytical criteria
ntal quality
- Use green infrastructure, such as trees developed through the theoretical part.
and shrubbery along green way. 3- Make the Port Said Waterfront SOWT Analysis
- Use sustainable storm water based on its theoretical background and information
management; from the visit and survey filed in order to understand
- Providing pedestrian friendly paths and the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats to be
attractive open spaces with shaded required in the development of the waterfront.
places; 4- Submit development suggestions based on
- Providing Sustainable transportation integrated urban waterfront standards in order to
system; achieve strategic objectives.
- Providing sustainable buildings;
- Using renewable energy resources; 3.2. Analysis Criteria
- Using sustainable wastes collection A comprehensive analysis criteria was developed
management depending on the main vision of sustainability. The
These applications should achieve to criteria consist of 4 parts: the socio-economic
reduce energy use, improve air quality, approach, the urban approach, the environmental
reduce the heat island and help to reduce approach, and finally the smart approach. As the
sound transmission and noise pollution technology is increasing very fast and spread
level. everywhere in all our life applications, the research
3 Analytical Framework of Port Said sees it’s important to shed the light on the technology
approach and some of its application on the scale of
Waterfront urban design.
It is concluded from the set of principles and
3.2.1. Socio-Economic Approach
standards shown above that it offers general
To determine the type of waterfront and the existing
international concepts of sustainability that can be
potentials to draw the future proposed development:
applied on waterfronts, specifically by methods, which
commercial, cultural, educational, historical,
respect nature and human needs to make a vital
recreational, or residential. And to identify the
waterfront. But an analysis criterion is needed as an
economic base of the development if it is a long term
evaluative mechanism to identify the rate of
value, competitive advantage, or business & market
sustainability. The following section will show such
place.
attempts, through integrating the urban waterfront
3.2.2. Urban Approach
development standards with the above waterfront
principals, all under the main strategic 4 pillars of • Land use
sustainability. • Urban quality
Sustainability is one of the most important strategic • Connectivity
urban development goals that should be integrated into • Accessibility
citywide development planning. Sustainable • Urban depth development /Urban integration
development is the process that meets present needs • Place-making quality (Livability & image)
with no negative impact on future generation’s ability • Walkability
to meet their needs. Consequently, ensuring • Public open space
sustainability is very important as a strategic goal in • Streetscape & amenities

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3.2.3. Environmental Quality Approach 4.1. History of Port Said Coastline.

• Secure the quality of water Port Said Mediterranean Sea beach has a
• Consumption of energy & materials waterfront scenic path, with a historic background,
• Green infrastructure which included a unique urban pattern of wooden
• Sustainable storm & water management chalets. After that these wooden chalet was replaced
• Shaded places with concrete chalets called El-Mamora in front of the
• Sustainable transportation system seafront. Later, the beach declined because of natural
• Providing sustainable buildings phenomena and the land in front of these chalets
became dry. Finally, a main street called Tarh Elbahr
• Renewable energy resources
Street, new resorts and promenades beach were created
• Sustainable wastes collection management
in front of El-Mamora chalets.
3.2.4. Smart Approach
It concerns with the smart applications that could be
applied on the waterfront.

4 Port Said Review

Port Said city is located in Suez Canal Region,
which consists of 6 cities (Ismailia, Port Said, Suez, El
Sharkia, North Sinai, and South Sinai). Port Said was
founded between 1859 and 1869 as a part of the Fig. 3 El Noras resort Fig. 4 Tarh el Bahr Street
project of the Suez Canal. The City is divided into two Source: taken by the researcher from the field visit
cities Port Said city and Port Fouad city. Port Said has
enriched waterfront, and is surrounded with the
Mediterranean Sea from the North, Suez Canal from
the East, and El Manzla Lake from the West, and West
South. It is located on the Mediterranean Sea with a
length of 31 km on the waterfront of both Port Said
and Port Fouad city. The city of Port Said is divided
into six districts: El-Sharq District, El-Arab District, El Fig. 5 the wooden chalet 1920 Fig. 6 El Meamora chalet
Zohoor District, El- Dawahy District, El- Ganoob Source: taken by the researcher from the field visit
District, El-Gharb District. [13]

4.2. The Study Area.

The study area extends 3.5
km along the Mediterranean
coast. Residential and
entertainment land use are the
most prevalent in the urban
area, but distinguishing
residential land use from other
urban functions is difficult.
The area type defines a linear-
Fig. 2 Port Said waterfront
shape. Because of the
Source: Google earth, edited by the researchers
Mediterranean Sea's
geographical location, the latter
Port Said considers as a ‘Tourist Destination in the
appears to have an influential
Summer time’ on the Mediterranean Sea, including
impact as it is related to the
hotels, casinos, and commercial paths presenting local
enjoyment of the study area's
and international products. In 1976 President Sadat
moderate climatic conditions
announced Port Said as a Duty-Free Zone. Port said
that are suitable for human life
undergoing long period of reduction of infrastructure
throughout the year.
and development funding for the city as well as
changes in the national trading and import law, which
leading to the end of the Free-Trade Zone of Port Said. Fig. 7 Port Said waterfront and
The city is generated by the colonial architecture; its urban context
within the city different architectural styles with Source: Google earth, edited
Greek, Italian and other European influences can be by the researchers
found. It is based on a rectangular grid street pattern.

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Table 2: Analytical review for Port Said waterfront The sense of smell and taste is
Walkability, swimming and other sport Urban characteristic of the study area and is
Socio- activities are the primary activities on the Quality shaped by the primary activities as the
Econom beach; also give a local identity and space can be understood through the
ic character to the study area. Port Said sense and a mental map can be created.
Approa seafront is highly valued by the city. The These senses are used to clarify and
ch new projects on Port Said seafront create survive urban space life in order to
employment opportunities but at the provide a unique and dynamic place to
same time the seafront loses its heritage attract a variety of people; they should
value and beauty. The new created also define the experience of people and
projects are about small cafes, without keep people coming back. By analyzing
any comprehensive development the characteristics of the study area, the
approach. citizens have to pay to enjoy the beach,
which means turning the beach from the
public open space into private space. The
beach's identity was gone and the
historical memory was lost. Despite the
fact that landscape elements, amenities
and furniture such as seats, lighting units
Fig. 8 waterfront and the soci economic activities and sheds are used to provide comfort,
Source: taken by the researcher from the field visit social interaction but not well designed
The waterside has a variety of land uses and organized.
Urban along its perimeter. There are a lot of The waterfront stretches 3.5 km along
Approa consecutive land uses on beach side; Accessi the sea and with variable width about
ch such as cafes with sand private beach bility 115 m. there are more than 9 T-
that serves, which present a bits and intersections with small and poor local
pieces blocks on the beach, and a streets, mostly with dead ends. Also
promenade beach serves as walkability there is service street but it is intermittent
path. The waterfront on the other side street. There is a promenade beach along
has mixed land uses with residential area the waterfront. It was a lined by palm
“with ground floor cafes and trees to provide shade and there is
supermarkets”, touristic resorts, public lighting units along the walkway and a
library, restaurants. lot of access to the beach and to the
service street with little stairs. There are
randomly strip cafes along the waterfront
that are considered as visual and physical
obstruction in front of the waterfront.
The waterfront can be accessed by
different means of transportation: Taxis,
private car, horse cart and bicycles. It
esplanade leads to various activities and
Fig. 9 waterfront land-use attractions such as pedestrian path -
Source: Google earth, edited by the promenade beach – that achieve
researchers walkability.
The study area is connected to the city by
Connect small street, which connected with Tarh
ivity El-Bahr street. The study area is the
linear strip of the waterfront with the
whole city back yard.

Fig. 10 waterfront land-use Source: Google Earth adapted by the researchers

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Vehicles can access the Water front but

Urban with limit. Secondary roads linking the
depth seafront to Main road called Tarh Elbahr
develop Street. The main street connected with
ment / the city by sub roads, which offers in
urban terms of access to the city center. The
integrat side streets are very narrow and in bad
ion condition. The lack of integration Fig. 14 waterfront
between the two sides of the waterfront Source: taken by the researcher from the
makes public access uncomfortable and field visit
safe.
The city waterfront is very poor and the
visual image is very bad because of the
new cafés, which were created on the
waterside of the city without any vision
of the future city image. The promenades
beach becomes the main line that
dividing the city waterfront from the
main city.
Walkabi The area is popular with walkers.
lity Promenade beach contains a number of
Fig. 11 waterfront accessibility Cafes and some of landscape elements
Source: taken by the researcher from the such as sitting areas, some lighting
field visit elements and other facilities. The
Urban Vehicles can access the Water front but promenade beach furniture like the shads
depth with limit. Secondary roads linking the and seats are not well arranged in the
develop seafront to Main road called Tarh Elbahr area, and have less quality and there is a
ment / Street. The main street connected with very long distance between the
urban the city by sub roads, which offers in promenade beach furniture. The quality
integrat terms of access to the city center. The of walking path is very poor due to the
ion secondary streets are very narrow and in damage of the furniture and the lack
a bad condition. Public access is not landscape elements quality, which can
comfort and safe due to the lack of make the area difficult for pedestrians to
integration between the two sides of the navigate.
waterfront.

Place The study area is distinguished mixed

Making uses area; residential areas with rang of
(livabili housing types, facilities, services,
ty & recreation and entertainment spaces, all
image) making it a living city. Fig. 15 waterfront land-use
Source: taken by the researcher from the
field visit

In the past, the beach was designed as a

Public coastal public open space where the
Open citizens could hang out, enjoy, and have
Fig. 12 waterfront land-use Spaces fun. The promenade and sands were an
Source: taken by the researcher from the obvious attraction. Now the beach
field visit becomes a private space because of the
subdivision of the beach into private
cafes. The identity of the beach was
disappeared and the historical memorize
was lost. These changes transform the
beach from public open space to a
private one, and make the citizens must
Fig. 13 waterfront land-use pay to enjoy the fresh air and sea view.

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• Lack of adequate efficient services and

The presence of cafes, that are a tourist
Environ infrastructure and also utilities and amenities.
attraction near the beach, is an issue for
mental • Pollution of the sea water due to evacuate of
concern. Putting them in that place
Quality untreated wastewater and industrial wastes in the
considers a threat because of the
Approa sea.
Environmental changes as they are
ch • Weak of environmental awareness of the residence
vulnerable to drowning at any moment
due to the rising sea level and that and lack of NGOs contribution in environmental
happened one more time. Dealing with programs.
the types of the projects and activities of • Lack of beaches in the area, and lack of adequate
waterfront should be studied. water access for the citizens.
Occasionally, during Winter storms, the • Decision-making centralization, lack of citizen
wind destroys the cafes, which build participation and good governance, lack of a
from light wooden structures. comprehensive development plan.
• Lack of quality of the urban design.
• Costly services, and no free public beach areas.
4.3.3. Opportunities:
• The strategic national plan of Egypt 2030,
which puts the development in Suez Canal axis, and
cities on the top priorities.
• Possibility of making some local events to support
the public to engage.
Fig. 16 waterfront land-use
Source: taken by the researcher from the • Possibility of coordinating within the framework of
field visit SUP32 between all stakeholders to create a holistic
vision for the development of the area.
Although Port Said governorate • The potential to making an urban branding of Port
Smart announced from 2 years an initiative to Said city, to market the city and put it on the
Approa transfer Port Said as a Smart Sustainable tourism development plans.
ch city, but there are no smart facilities are • The potential of being international attractive
used in streetscape or in environmental touristic destination due to strategic unique
applications. location.
• Possibility of development the city through various
4.3. SWOT Analysis of Port Said Waterfront. perspectives commercial, industrial, tourism,
4.3.1. Strengths: entertainment, historical, heritage and culture.
4.3.4. Threats:
• The existing of the water as an attractive strong
visual determinant, which catalyzes the city’s • Weak state environmental department to deal with
development and provide a recreation spaces. environmental treats.
• The area is an important residential, commercial • The need to financial recourse to cover the budget
and entertainment center of Port Said city and has a of the development process.
good derives of uses • No comprehensive approach for development in the
• The accessible roads (road way) and connectivity whole city, just bits and pieces projects and case-
with the city, is a potential for development to by-case actions.
support communication between the waterfront and • Lack of safety due to the improper traffic system.
the rest of the city • Lack of free public access to the water.
• The existence of major services, cultural buildings, • NO water integration between the sea and the
hotels such as libraries, residential buildings, attaching urban context.
resorts, important mosques that offer a good • Weak of citizen awareness of the waterfront
opportunity to develop tourism. development problems and weak of public
• High percentage of youth under 20 years of participation in the development process.
age, which represents a large workforce,
makes job creation a priority for the economy. 5 An Integrated Development Proposal
4.3.2. Weakness: for Port Said Waterfront
• Buildings on the waterside and the first line of the This part concerns with the the proposed approach
waterfront are at risk of being drowned by rising of for development of Port Said waterfront, and divided
the sea level especially in the Winter. in two main parts. The first part describes the
• Raising sea level is an environmental challenge. comprehensive approach for development “Urban,
socio-economic, encvironmental, smart” approaches.

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Then the second part proposes in urban design scale Tarh el Bahr to the waterfront, there are sub streets
the intervention zones on the waterfront and the future connecting them both, and only one service street,
landuses. which are not enough either qualify to achieve
efficient accessibility to Port Said waterfront.
5.1. First Part: Comprehensive Development So, Comprehensive transportation and network
Approach for Port Said Waterfront. strategy could be provided by the governorate to avoid
5.1.1. Socio-Economic Approach any conflicts between the different users. Enrich the
- Major waterfront unique transformation is the network by different means such as public
waterfront type to meet the needs and aspirations of transportation, pedestrian, and cycle enabling beside
Port Said city with its strategic location, historical the private vehicles. This accessible means carry
background, and unique architectural pattern. The various advantages; economical, environmental; and
waterfront is qualified and ready to promote the mixed social.
land uses “housing, shopping, recreation, Promote the accessible axis to the beach with nodes
entertainment”. Establish commercial, cultural, and plazas to achieve hierarchy and sequential spaces.
recreational economic-base to start the development
plan, with long-term value, competitive advantage, and • Urban depth development / urban integration
public interest reflections. Public private partnership is Redesigning the relation between the thin line between
an important key word to push the development water/land, which is considering an important edge in
proposal from the planning phase to the Port Said city, with the perpendiculars of the water
implementation phase. edge into the city. Another scenario is to make
- Promote the city with many projects, which gets huge development fingers, mixed land use corridors,
benefits all the year like culture, commercial, and real perpendicular on the water edge to add to the
estate projects as a strategic goal affects the whole waterfront more value.
city.
• Place making quality (livability & image):
5.1.2. Urban Approach Image, comfort, services, amenities, and street scape
• Land use: mixed land uses It’s important to make a liveable waterfront. In our
- In developing waterfronts, mixed land use is a must. case, Port Said city, as a Mediterranean city, is
Changing land uses to high profit rate occupancy like considered a liveable city, but liveable waterfront is
recreation, office, and commercial uses helps to make different. Liveable waterfront could be achieved in
the as an “Open City”, that should achieved with the Port Said through mixed land uses “residential areas,
governmental support and with the public private services, recreation, culture activities”, and Popular
partnership. public spaces to attract both citizens and visitors.
- Designing the waterfront as a central area of the Adding some activities on the water would send a
city, “a heart of the city”, with its diversity land uses. unique limit of liveability.

• Urban quality • Walkability: walk-able axis, bike lanes, walk-

Achieving high urban quality always come from able city, public health
respecting the physical and non-physical heritage of First of all Port Said city was established as a walk-
the city, and from the interaction between human and able city with new urbanism application, to
the city. Preserving the architectural pattern of Port encourage residents to walk from work to home and
Said city is the first step to achieve high urban quality. from home to the city center at noon. Nowadays
The issue is not only about the buildings, it’s also because of huge number of car users, the city
about the human heritage like “Semsemia Music”, transferred to be a car-oriented city. The unique
which should be preserved and documented and arcades in the commercial streets are disappeared,
published between the new generation to keep the and the side-walks were destroyed to added to the
identity and personality of the city. street span in the most of traffic roads in the city

• Connectivity • Public open space:

Connecting the linear strip of the waterfront with the Good design for public spaces, affordable services,
whole city back yard. and attractive activities.

• Accessibility • Streetscape & amenities:

Although Port Said city has accessible network to the Provide all the landscape and streetscape elements to
waterfront but it is still not enough to provide furnishing the space
accessibility to different users to the waterfront. From
the city center to Tarh El-Bahr Street, there are some
roads connecting the center with Tarh el-Bahr. From

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 International Journal of Environmental Science
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5.1.3. Environmental Quality Approach climatic behavior. Reducing the solar radiation that
• Secure the quality of water reaches the people or gets reflected by the ground.
Using Drainage system as the infrastructure for
drying the land from the excess and unutilized • Sustainable wastes collection management
water such as rainwater, waste water and Sea level Waste reduction can be done through recycling old
rise. materials like jar, bags and repairing broken items,
which helps to achieve zero waste goals.

Fig. 17 The proposed Drainage system for new design

of waterfront

• Consumption of energy & materials

New surface materials must be durable and in Fig.20 Towards Zero Waste
certain locations be able to withstand flooding
from the sea. Attention must also be paid to how • Sustainable transportation system
materials are laid to ensure they don’t fail due to Limits emissions and waste within the capacity of the
heavy use or seawater damage. planet to absorb them, uses renewable resources or
below the rates of renewable substitute development,
while minimizing the impact on land use and noise
generation.

5.1.4. Smart Approach

Using Smart Photovoltaic lighting system can have an
environmental impact in terms of energy consumption

Fig. 18 Some Kinds of Sustainable material That Can

be used

• Green infrastructure
Green infrastructure enhances community health and
safety, and provides recreation, quality of Life, and Fig. 21 The Proposed Lighting System for energy
other benefits. consumption

Fig. 19 The Of Green paths on the Waterfront

Fig. 22 Proposed clear transportation system to
achieve clear and sustainable walkability Path
• Shaded places
Source: Radwan, 2019 [14]
Sun shading, by using sustainable wood material, is
the fundamental way to improve a public space bio-

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 International Journal of Environmental Science
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5.2. Second Part: marina in the water with some social activities, cafes,
Port Said Waterfront Design Proposal restaurants and Water Park to support the socio-
The proposal starts with promoting the accessibility to economic approach from the other side and to attract
the waterfront by proposing a new street, which is residents and visitors to visit the waterfront.
connecting with Tarh El-Bahr Street also with sub The development of the existing cornice is a must with
streets. Also promoting the waterfront with widening 3 demolish unplanned cafes. Providing some services
streets to connect the waterfront with the city center of and attractive open public spaces to attract people to
Port Said city. The proposal contains design for new visit the area. Walkability, biking, public interest, and
public participation are the key success factors.

Fig. 23 The Drafting Sketches for Port Said Waterfront

Source: the researcher

Fig. 24 The New Design for Port Said Waterfront, Proposed Land Uses and new accessibility network
Source: the researcher
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS creating an attractive environment where both
The previous study set out the policy context for the residents, creating a family friendly area which is safe
regeneration of the Port Said seafront, significant and clean and visitors can relax, providing high quality
issues faced at the seafront, a vision and regeneration public amenities, offering high quality and affordable
objectives for the seafront and, finally, how this can be activities and cultural events throughout the year,
delivered. The seafront environment creates drama and creating an area which is physically and intellectually
interest, giving Port Said City seafront a diverse and accessible and maximizing the impact and improve the
unique character. The outcomes of the Study and economic vibrancy. The following recommendations
analysis the port said waterfront can be listed as are set to improve the Waterfront:

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 International Journal of Environmental Science
Shimaa M. Ali et al. http://www.iaras.org/iaras/journals/ijes

• Coastal management's needed to address English in English Dictionaries and Thesauruses.

unplanned urban growth in order to ensure the 8   Zhang, J., & Wang, H. (2000). Evolution and
harmonious development of human activities. Continue of the Urban Waterfront History
• Creating well-organized street furniture, such as Culture Morphlogy and Spatial Morphology:
benches, shelters with nice and comfortable Renovate Plan of Hubin Area of Handzhou City.
material along the waterfront. Journal of Zhejiang University of Technology,
• Providing public access to the coastline 28 (Supp), 243-246. (in Chinese)
supported by corridors and establishing 9   Wrenn, D.M. (1983). Urban Waterfront
convenient connections to the other side of the Development. Washington, D.C.: The Urban
waterfront and adjacent streets extending from Land Institute.
the city's street grid 10   Eves, C., Yassin, A., and McDonagh, J. 2011.
• Arranging events that are efficient and consistent “Waterfront Development for Residential
with the renewed context to ensure diversity in Property in Malaysia.” Queensland University of
the region economy. Technology. Accessed March 27, 2013.
• The water surface and shore should be reserved http://eprints.qut.edu.au.
for use in water and for public access. 11   Hall Peter, Pfeiffer Ulrich (2000), Urban Future
The role the seafront has to play in enhancing the 21. A Global Agenda for Twenty First Century
city and its image through tourism and culture-led Cities, London, E& FN Spon, 363pp., ISBN 0-
regeneration, which builds on the seafront’s 415-24075-1
heritage, cultural events calendar and attractive 12   Giovinazzi, O., & Giovinazzi, S. (2008).
environment. A sustainable approach should be Waterfront Planning: A Window of
taken to providing opportunities for passive and Opportunities for Post Disaster Reconstruction.
active recreation. Italy: i-Rec.
13   EZZAT, Samir Ali. 2011. Saving Port Said’s
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT architectural wealth. The Egyptian Gazette
Special thanks for Rewan Yasser, Senior student at 14   Radwan A., Ali S., Nagy A., “An Integrated
AAST, for her help and effort in our research. Design Model for Sustainable Development in
waterfront Areas: Port Said City as a Case
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