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Alexandria
Places and Memories of Cosmopolitan Alexandria

Abstract:
Alexandria is Egypt's gateway to the Mediterranean. The city's rich history and cultural diversity have given it a unique identity in the region. This exceptional character has been further nurtured by a relationship of mutual cultural exchange with the Mediterranean.

The city's unique experience of cosmopolitanism was predominant during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Therefore, since the urban form of any city is a reflection of the residents' culture, traditions and achievements, Alexandria's cosmopolitanism, universality and internationality were reflected in the city's urban spaces and places. Its morphological built form was thus shaped by its cosmopolitan spirit - a spirit which also contributed to its sustainability during that period.

Urban spaces such as Kom el Dikk with its local flavor, the place des Consuls, Ramleh, the quartier grec with its elitist architecture, to name but a few, are not solely spaces, streets and buildings, they also relate to the memories of the people and the identity of its residents.

This presentation looks at the relationship between cultural practice and spaces through collected oral history and memory of places. The presentation highlights a wide spectrum of activities. It also investigates the interaction between people and places in the cosmopolitan city. The study attempts to preserve the unwritten history of buildings and urban spaces as an indispensable part of their intangible heritage by establishing the missing links between the tangible physical form and the intangible memories of its residents.

The presentation consists of the following:

Part 1: A review of the city's history and cultural diversity.
Part 2: The morphological development of the city.
Part 3: A case study comprising an analysis of the memory of San Stefano Hotel through data gathered from documented interviews.

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