Cairo is revising its downtown area into a "pedestrian friendly plaza." Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif will expand the successful 'daytime pedestrian zones,' and has launched an international design competition to produce a master plan.
Current proposals "include building multi-story underground garages outside of the center city," which will encourage people to ride into the city center on street cars or by foot. It is also hoped that open air restaurants will stimulate growth in the arts and hospitality industries.
Although the plan will alter the center drastically, Fast Company notes that "there is no broader plan yet to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) throughout the city," so air pollution levels will remain high. In response, Egyptian officials have begun working towards establishing an urban lung within the new pedestrianized zone.
FULL STORY: Cairo Will Turn Its Downtown into A Pedestrian Plaza

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