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EXAMPLES OF
AL-FINA'
IN ISLAMIC CITIES
113
3. Cairo
Cairo is the capital of Egypt and is located in north east
Egypt on the Nile River near the delta. It is a major
administrative and economic center where same 18 million people
live in its greater metropolitan region.
The city was built by the Fatimids in the 10th century. Its
site had been chosen near to the former capital cities built by
the earlier Islamic powers who controlled Egypt since the 7th
century. The fatimids were ane branch of the Shia' Muslims that
succeeded in establishing their power in Tunis and throughout
North Africa and the Middle East.
When Egypt fell to the Fatimids, the Fatimids Caliph ordered
a new capital built for the Empire. The city was built according
to a preconceived plan and based on regular streets, monumental
buildings, large apen places, and walls, while the settings of
al-fina'
were used to demonstrate the traditional everyday life
and the new meanings of the Fatimids. The city was a Royal city,
Common people could not live there or perform an activity in the
city without permission.
Most of the city's physical characteristics changed over
time as a consequence of power struggles and population growth.
The built up area expanded beyond the city walls and the size of
the inner public apen spaces were reduced or they disappeared
while street shapes and dimensions were altered.
During the 18th century, the urban fabric of the city was
composed of a citadel at the south east corner that housed the
ruling class, several cemeteries outside of the main living built
up area, and the major areas of the population, composed of
houses and market areas
(suq)
organized along the main central
street. Each particular trade and product was concentrated mainly
in ane area of the market, and also named according to that
trade. The shops were small and opened toward the street space.