• This vertical growth of terrace living has mushroomed in recent decades as the capital’s population swelled and the state was unable to offer low-cost housing, says Roman Stadnicki, an analyst with Cairo-based CEDEJ, a French research institute.
    This vertical growth of terrace living has mushroomed in recent decades as the capital’s population swelled and the state was unable to offer low-cost housing, says Roman Stadnicki, an analyst with Cairo-based CEDEJ, a French research institute.
  • A general view shows the rooftops of buildings in Cairo.
    A general view shows the rooftops of buildings in Cairo.
  • Shukri Mahmud, walks along the rooftop where he lives with his family. “I was born here; I grew up here; I got married here,” said Mahmud, 55.
    Shukri Mahmud, walks along the rooftop where he lives with his family. “I was born here; I grew up here; I got married here,” said Mahmud, 55.
  • Mahmoud Abdelmeniem makes tea. “Unplanned constructions have become an urban norm in Egypt. Sixty-five per cent of urbanised space in Cairo is unplanned,” says Roman Stadnicki, an analyst with Cairo-based CEDEJ, a French research institute.
    Mahmoud Abdelmeniem makes tea. “Unplanned constructions have become an urban norm in Egypt. Sixty-five per cent of urbanised space in Cairo is unplanned,” says Roman Stadnicki, an analyst with Cairo-based CEDEJ, a French research institute.
  • Gamel stands at the doorway of his rooftop home. Gamal used to run a small hotel, but says he got kicked out several years ago, a victim of “corruption” under the regime of former president Hosni Mubarak.
    Gamel stands at the doorway of his rooftop home. Gamal used to run a small hotel, but says he got kicked out several years ago, a victim of “corruption” under the regime of former president Hosni Mubarak.
  • Sayyef Tamer, plays in his house.
    Sayyef Tamer, plays in his house.
  • Sayyef Tamer, walks along the rooftop.
    Sayyef Tamer, walks along the rooftop.

World

In pictures: Terrace society flourishes on Cairo rooftops

Mark Asquith

January 27, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

Societies on Cairo’s rooftops has mushroomed in recent years, as the capital’s population swelled and the state was unable to offer low-cost housing.

All photos by Khaled Desouki / AFP Photo

EgyptCairo