"Forgotten Spaces" is a participatory design and construct project aiming to seek out redundant and neglected spaces across self-built communities.Forgotten spaces present an ideal place for activities to emerge as a neglected potential for revival.

Looking around "self-built communities" in Cairo, At first it might seem packed and chaotic, but look a little closer and you’ll start to notice leftover spaces everywhere — overgrown backyards, empty pieces of land, deserted squares, flyovers fill of garbage, gloomy pedestrian tunnels and unused parking lots. There are so many forgotten corners  just begging for a makeover. 

Vision
‘Forgotten Spaces’ is an experimental “urban acupuncture” project that aims to turn many of the forgotten lots in self built communities into a network of usable and productive public spaces.

First implementation site:
Our first case study is an area called Istabl Antar, it is one of the remarkable Self-built communities in Cairo; currently it is the focus of the governmental institutes that aim to figure out a solution for its unsafe situation. It is considered within the development framework of ISDF to develop the informal areas in Egypt to achieve social justice. BUT Until this moment Istabl Antar is one of the least informal areas that no major intervention occurred in.
1/3 of the area of Istabl antar consists of an abandonment monument called el Gabakhana ( which is closed by the government). The residents have been practicing 100% activism as they were able to provide themselves with their basic needs through self organisation. They built their own houses, created non-governmental organisations and make sure to educate their children.

Social/community impact:
The implemented process focused on building a sustainable social infrastructure that stimulates the people to build networks in their communities. A sustainable social infrastructure included designing a space with the citizens that will have an assembly place, an inviting park, women-run education center and a shared playground. 
We believe that having a sustainable social infrastructure can result in having a strong social bond between the people which respectively increases the opportunity to maintain a productive social support
In order to make the people feel ownership for the new place, the design has developed according to the original/current "path study" of the people were the main corridor path mainly connects the footings of the houses together. 
After the "Forgotten Space" is revitalized, people will be able to do formal and informal activities (i.e. regular and spontaneous community meet-ups). Also the space will act as a socially and economically productive public space (i.e. due to cultural traditions men don't allow their wives to go to work  which made them have a lot of wasted time, that's why; we decided with them to build a small women-run education center )

Environmental impact:
Unfortunately, There is a popular perception in Egypt that environmental solutions are for the rich and high standard projects. But I am sure that these solutions are an essential need for poor urban areas (i.e needed solutions to protect the people against the sun in hot climate) . Forgotten spaces project provides a space for this to happen.

The selected site lies adjacent to a big cliff which represents many threats that harm the people.

For example, throwing the garbage on and from the cliff  which get accumulated on daily bases (Mostly organic waste). Moreover the gravel attracts many insects as well as snakes and scorpions that harm the people, threaten them and spread diseases.


We investigated the site with our partner ( Research Institute for a Sustainable Environment - RISE) and accordingly we decided the exact safe intervention spot. Also, came out with the conclusion that the soil is good to be used for any activity that excludes the use of water that is directly pored from the cliff. 
Accordingly, the environmental impact includes:
1. Making the space cleaner and greener, through cleaning it as a first step and creating a green park afterwards which will help in decreasing the risk of diseases in the area
2. Solving the problem of garbage by making use of the waste via biogas units
3. Using the "women-run education center" for doing environmental educational campaigns for the residents
4. Securing the cliff by stabilizing the soil and by putting protection barrier.
5. Green roofing for the education center will be done by (RISE)
6. its is planned that during construction we are going to use the usable onsite materials for earth construction (i.e. building with rammed earth).

“YOU-Design” process depends on a set of core values, one of which is the power of collaboration for sustaining the project's impact. Respectively the team is consists of representatives from the community, local partners, international partners. This team is led by the project's architect (Hebatuallah Hendawy) which we call the maestro of the process.

The team representatives include:
1. “Open Architecture Collaborative”
It is a nonprofit design services firm founded in 1999. They are building a more sustainable future through the power of professional design. By tapping a network of more than 75,000 professionals willing to lend time and expertise to help those who would not otherwise be able to afford their services, we bring design, construction and development services where they are most critically needed.

2. Handover:
Hand Over is an independent egyptian enterprise. Their main aim is to provide humane, resilient
and affordable housing conditions for unprivileged communities.

3. "Takafol Social Responsibility"
It is an NGO located inside the selected informal settlement that focuses on helping needy people who need support to get their basic needs fulfilled.

4. "Research Institute for a Sustainable EnvironmenT "
RISE serves as a multidisciplinary institute dedicated to promoting research in sustainable environment in Egypt, the Middle East and North Africa.

5. in addition to representations from 3 selected community based organizations inside Istabl Antar

YOU-Design
Forgotten Spaces Pictures