ABSTRACT
Urban areas in many cases irreversibly disrupt and fragment the landscape by imposing built structures and hardscapes, along with damaging human activities. This research is concerned with water bodies as natural elements in urban areas. Water has always been a fundamental attraction for city development. However, nowadays the integrated water-city relationship has weakened. In many cases the public are not engaged with waterfronts, and urban functioning is at odds with the preservation of the natural resource, resulting in neglect and mistreatment. Such is the case in Lake Mariout, Alexandria, Egypt.
The research addresses the fragmented approach to dealing with the Lake and the lack of consensus around its future. It realizes the potential of this natural element and the opportunities afforded by adopting a bio-socio integrative approach, with the aim to repair stressed and disfigured ecosystems while facilitating human development. Various stakeholders and interest groups were surveyed to gauge their views towards future developments and the Lake in order to form a consensual vision. The paper concludes with recommendations for city-nature synergy based on the quadrant of nature, population, built environment and governance.
