Some have never even been listed as monuments, while others, though registered by the SCA at one time, have since been eliminated from the registers. The elimination of such buildings from the registers has led to the loss of important historical and architectural documents. It also implies the destruction of Cairo's specific architectural identity. Despite the numerous decrees prohibiting the demolition of buildings of special historical or architectural value, the last of which was issued by Prime Minister Kamal El-Ganzouri, violations continue apace. Now, unique examples of Cairene architecture are being put up for sale.
Interested buyers can contact the lawyer in charge of the eventual transaction.
Such attacks on Cairo's architectural identity are not limited to buildings dating from the Ottoman era, however. This pretext, of course, disregards the fact that what endows a building with special value is its architecture and design, which make it an integral part of the area in which it stands. The writer is a photographer and conservationist.