Title

Author(s)

Manlio Michieletto

Affiliation

German University in Cairo

DOI

https://doi.org/10.65686/QFZE4150

Keywords

Adaptive Reuse, Cultural Infrastructure, Urban Regeneration

PP

663-669

How to Cite

Michieletto, Manlio. “Reviving the Caravanserais Adaptive Reuse of the Wikala of Qansuh al-Ghuri in Contemporary Cairo.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Adaptive Reuse. Volume 1, edited by Andrea Crudeli, Francesca Molle, and Emanuele Carrai, 663–669. Firenze: STH Press, 2026.

Abstract

This paper examines the adaptive reuse of the Wikala of Sultan Qansuh al-Ghuri, a 16th-century Mamluk1 caravanserai situated in the historic centre of Cairo. Originally conceived as a multifunctional commercial and residential complex, the Wikala (caravanserai) was strategically integrated into a broader religious and civic endowment that included a mosque, madrasa (school), khanqah (monastery), and sabil-kuttab (public fountain). Following a prolonged period of neglect, the building underwent substantial restoration in the early 2000s and has since been repurposed as a vibrant cultural centre hosting craft workshops, traditional performances, and community events. The study investigates the building’s historical transformations, situating its adaptive reuse within broader debates on heritage conservation, sustainability, and urban resilience. A comparative analysis is conducted of similar structures that remain extant in Cairo. Through a combination of archival research, spatial analysis, and field documentation, the paper explores how the project harmonised historical integrity with contemporary functional requirements. Particular attention is paid to the restoration of architectural elements, such as mashrabiya (lattice window) and stone portals, while also addressing the challenges associated with integrating modern infrastructure within a heritage context. The case of Wikala al-Ghuri exemplifies the potential of adaptive reuse to revalorise historic assets, foster community engagement, and contribute to the economic revitalisation of urban districts. Furthermore, it raises critical questions about the roles of public policy, cultural memory, and participatory conservation in maintaining historic structures in rapidly transforming cities, such as Old Cairo. This contribution ultimately advocates for a model of adaptive reuse that surpasses preservation for its own sake, emphasising instead the dynamic reinvention of heritage to support inclusive, resilient, and culturally grounded urban futures.

Edited by
Andrea Crudeli
Francesca Molle
Emanuele Carrai

Publisher
STH Press, Firenze

ISBN Paperback – 9791281661141
ISBN Ebook – 9791281661158
DOI – https://doi.org/10.65686/SISY7263

Year
2026

Proceedings of
International Conference on Adaptive Reuse
hosted by The University of Pisa, Italy
15-19 September 2025, at the Gispoteca di Arte Antica dell’Università di Pisa.