Similar to most cities in the Global South, Cairo – a megacity of 20 million- is largely produced informally, posing questions about the role of architects and designers in the making of their cities. The Informality as Creativity project aims to bring together architects, designers, and art students along with craftspeople and artisans through a direct exchange of formal training and practical, grounded knowledge. Further, the project aims at promoting small businesses and enhancing the visual and environmental qualities in informal areas through direct dialogues through local stakeholders.

Within the Informality as Creativity project, the goal of Mapping Creative Industry program is to produce a directory of these workshops and small manufacturers, which would render them more visible to design studios and furniture stores, and ultimately help open up broader markets for their businesses, both locally and internationally.

The final products constitute a directory including detailed information for 87 workshops covering all specializations in the furniture industry, as well as an online map showcasing over 800 workshops mapped in Ard al-Liwa.