Nodes-Connectors network of Public Spaces as a Manifestation of Power in Cairo’s Heterotopias
• 2017
Publication Information
Authors
Ahmed Abdel-Rasoul, Eslam Nazmy
Keywords
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publication.type
International
Paper Link
Open Link
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Abstract
Heterotopia is where every community lives, works, and socializes,withinwhich there is a network of public spaces supportingits
social life, as well as connecting it -the heterotopia- to other heterotopias withina metropolitan. Cairo, as well, is a metropolitan with distinct
heterotopias, that, in turn, representing the manifestation of power shaped their public spaces’ network. Nodes and connectors are a new
typology,introduced by this paper, constituting the network of public open spaces within each heterotopia to understand the manifestation
of power over their articulation. Two distinct heterotopias are investigated:MadinetNasr which represents public-sector-power over itspublic
spaces’ production;and New Cairowhich represents the empowerment of private-sector over the same. Through this investigation,it is
concluded that in Cairene context since 1952, public sector is more concerned about the resilience of movement forindividuals by providing
accessible public spaces (connectors)to ensure the proclaimed equality and global connectivity, however, it’s not concerned about the
social nature of the public spaces (nodes typology). While private sector, on contrary, gives more concern about the social nature of nodes
typology regardless giving equal opportunities among the whole society to access these nodes through their connectors network.
social life, as well as connecting it -the heterotopia- to other heterotopias withina metropolitan. Cairo, as well, is a metropolitan with distinct
heterotopias, that, in turn, representing the manifestation of power shaped their public spaces’ network. Nodes and connectors are a new
typology,introduced by this paper, constituting the network of public open spaces within each heterotopia to understand the manifestation
of power over their articulation. Two distinct heterotopias are investigated:MadinetNasr which represents public-sector-power over itspublic
spaces’ production;and New Cairowhich represents the empowerment of private-sector over the same. Through this investigation,it is
concluded that in Cairene context since 1952, public sector is more concerned about the resilience of movement forindividuals by providing
accessible public spaces (connectors)to ensure the proclaimed equality and global connectivity, however, it’s not concerned about the
social nature of the public spaces (nodes typology). While private sector, on contrary, gives more concern about the social nature of nodes
typology regardless giving equal opportunities among the whole society to access these nodes through their connectors network.
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