ABSTRACT
Urban renewal plays a key role in regenerative and livable cities. The paper presents sustainability assessments after the decisive ceremonial opening of the two urban mega projects in Cairo City – the restored Baron Empain Palace (2020) and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, NMEC both were inaugurated on 19th July 2019 and 3rd April 2021 respectively. The case studies went through a vast development and bear significant impacts, not only on the regional level, but also on the international attention towards Egypt great civilization. To address the study objective, two approaches were adopted (quantitative & qualitative): theoretical (literature review & preliminary study); and site visits to the Palace and Museum’s surrounding urban areas. To provide an inclusive sustainability mapping; four pillars (environmental; social, economic, and cultural) were analysed to find out how the Palace and the NMEC are forming a cultural hub. Results indicate that both the Palace and the NMEC are forming a cultural hub for the communities in Cairo City. Energy audits indicate that energy consumption meets the RIBA benchmark for palaces and the museums, Cultural, as well as social values on the urban renewal has increased liveability.
