CLUSTER was commissioned by GIZ, Participatory Development Programme in Urban Areas (PDP), to implement Small-Scale Architectural Measures in informal areas to adapt to climate change in partnership with Giza Governorate, South Giza District.

Between May 2016 and Aug 2018, CLUSTER designed and supervised the implementation of six interventions in two sites in Saqiyat Mikki and Masakin Jazirat al-Dahab, Giza, including facade painting (in two sites), green roof, urban element/green wall (in partnership with RISE/AUC), shading element, and mural (in partnership with DUCO).

Masakin Jazirat al-Dahab is one of Cairo’s informal (unplanned) areas and is located in the south of Giza, with a population of around 117,000 people. Classified as “informal”, the area lacks basic services, such as health and educational facilities, and overall suffers from substandard living conditions.

Two sites were chosen to implement a set of measures to mitigate the effect of climate change. These interventions included: 1) Façade painting, 2) Rooftop farm and green wall, 3) Seating, 4) Street shading, as well as a mural in public space. These interventions span two sites in the area: Rabi‘ al-Jizi and Hassan Abd al-Wahid Streets. CLUSTER’s approach towards the climate interventions in Saqiyat Mikki focused on prioritizing community participation to test, and ultimately achieve, community empowerment. The design implementation processes were informed by proposals and amendments contributed by the local community, which have resulted in a higher level of interaction between the residents and the built environment.