Saudi Princess Lamia bint Majed Al Saud, goodwill ambassador for the Arab States at UN-Habitat, visited Cairo’s Ataba marketplace on Thursday, highlighting efforts to upgrade traditional markets as part of broader plans for inclusive urban development in Egypt.
The visit, organized by UN-Habitat’s Egypt office and its Regional Office for the Arab States, brought together officials from the Ministry of Local Development and Cairo Governorate, alongside urban development experts.
Princess Lamia toured parts of the market in downtown Cairo following a meeting with Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber, where officials outlined ongoing efforts to modernize traditional marketplaces while preserving their economic and cultural roles.
The Ataba marketplace, a major hub for informal and semi-formal trade, has long faced challenges including congestion, limited infrastructure and unregulated activity. Authorities say the current upgrade project aims to address these issues through participatory planning and targeted infrastructure improvements.
The first phase of the project covered three streets stretching 321 metres and included redesigning public space to improve accessibility, mobility and safety. Around 473 vendors and shop owners have benefited from the initial works, which also introduced a designated emergency access corridor and upgraded more than 100 shopfronts in line with the area’s historic character.
The project, backed by roughly 50 million Egyptian pounds in public investment, is designed as a model that can be replicated in other cities, officials said. It seeks to formalize informal economic activity without displacing vendors, while improving working conditions and urban organization.
In remarks during the visit, Princess Lamia said the project illustrates how integrated urban planning can enhance living conditions, support local economies and preserve heritage. Egyptian officials said the initiative aligns with national plans to revitalize historic districts and promote sustainable urban development under Egypt Vision 2030.
UN-Habitat representatives said similar projects have been implemented in cities such as Rosetta and Port Said, reflecting a wider push to upgrade traditional marketplaces across the country.
They further noted that such initiatives contribute to global development goals, including improving access to adequate housing and fostering more inclusive and resilient urban environments.
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