Space and protest: A tale of two Egyptian squares

Space and protest: A tale of two Egyptian squares

Mohamed, A.A.
Van Nes, A.
Salheen, M.A.

Architecture and The Built Environment

Urbanism

2015-07-13

Protests and revolts take place in public space. How they can be controlled or how protests develop depend on the physical layout of the built environment. This study reveals the relationship between urban space and protest for two Egyptian squares: Tahrir Square and Rabaa Al-Adawiya in Cairo. For analysis, the research uses space syntax method. The results of this analysis are then compared with descriptions of the protest behaviour. As it turns out, the spatial properties of Tahrir square seem more effective for protesters to succeed than Rabaa Al-Adawiya. Protesters seem seek spaces with a high degree of accessibility on a local scale as well as on a city-wide scale and a high degree of symbolic value. Furthermore, the number of alternative routes, access points, shorter block lengths, and increased visibility are spatial factors affecting where and how demonstrations take place.

protest behaviour
demonstrations
urban squares
space syntax

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:be7f9519-9ec0-42ae-b4ea-7964ee200164

Space Syntax Laboratory,The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL

978-0-9933429-0-5

SSS10: Proceedings of the 10th International Space Syntax Symposium, London, UK, 13-17 July 2015

Institutional Repository

conference paper

(c) 2015 The Author(s)
Space Syntax Laboratory