Similar to other cities in the Global South, Cairo faces numerous environmental challenges related to climate change: overpopulation, congested traffic, and eroding green surfaces. Further, the economic crisis has added restraints to the already decreasing open space through a neo-liberal policy of commercialization, rendering public access increasingly limited. With the constraints imposed on freedom of expression and cultural events in public space, community parks offer a last refuge to introduce artistic programs to both engage surrounding communities and revive underutilized neighborhood gardens.

We proposed to address the climate issues of Cairo by celebrating urban gardens as vital green sanctuaries in the city. This was achieved with the design and implementation of an up-cycled multi-functional performance and event space that encourages community gathering and engagement with the garden. The garden is visually dominated by several large roadside billboards that provide advertising hoardings to the nearby overpass, disrupting the tranquil atmosphere and harming the garden’s natural beauty. Our proposed spatial element reclaims the focus from these structures by providing a vibrant and striking centerpiece to serve the interests of the park and community that uses it. At a scale to rival the billboards, it is highly visible, playful and brightly colored, offering a multi-functional space for gatherings, performances and events, and an everyday sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city. As a staging ground for diverse programming, the intervention fosters intergenerational engagement. Through co-design we explored and tested ideas of material reuse, taking a low-carbon architectural approach. We re-purposed ubiquitous materials found in and around the park to create the piece, using rudimentary stacking and innovative fixing techniques to create a strong and sturdy inhabitable structure. We finished it using weather-resistant materials and bright colors to ensure a long life in the garden. The eye-catching nature of the piece set within a biodiverse garden highlights the importance of conservation and encourages the preservation of green space, a key cultural driver to improve the climatic issues facing Cairo today.

The design process involved a series of sessions to develop alternative ideas and concepts that were presented to local community members in the park, and later to authorities and other stakeholders to get their feedback. After the workshop, our team invited the Agouza residents and the park users to a public movie screening event in the garden as a casual way of gathering opinions on the Pergola that is to be added to the park.

A deliberate decision was made by the project partners to source materials almost exclusively from local companies and grassroots initiatives. This approach was driven by a commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and support for the local economy. The materials included shading elements from recycled plastic sheets by VeryNile; flanking walls built with innovative plastic bricks from Reblox; as well as recycled plastic flooring interlocks by TileGreen. Pergola is conceived as more than just a theater — it is a platform for gathering, celebrating, and reclaiming public space. It revives the traditional bands in city parks and offers an opportunity to introduce arts and culture to neighborhood communities.

Since its inauguration last fall, CLUSTER has been organizing a program of cultural and artistic events at the Pergola Arts Theater, catering for a diverse group of audience from the surrounding neighborhood and the city at large. The programs, which range from music concerts, animation and film screenings, storytelling sessions, puppet theater and clown shows, as well as children festivals and crafts workshops, offer a free open-air venue for independent artists and producers, and young talents.