On the Spatial Conservation of Roundabout Cairo Using Pitteway Graph

Abstract

The special roundabouts of Haussmann’s Cairo are now limited to vehicular overcrowding with a ruined image. Clarifying the spatial structure aims at regaining the non-visual originality of the historical plan. The prospected method of analyzing the pitteway graph network approaches the spatial conservation through interdisciplinary algorithmic and social dimensions. The resulting essence of symbolic royal structure determines the roundabout of ‘Abdin Palace’ of the shortest universal distance and the most integrative social space of the layout. Meanwhile, the cyclic geometry of ‘Tahrir’ roundabout optimizes the Eulerian circulation toward the Nile crossing with maximized social control over the vicinity. On the contrary, the opposite roundabouts around the spacious seam of ‘Ezbekieh Garden’ separate the native town from the new colony through the dissolved social integrity and control, with restricted cycle space from networking on the layout level. However, the roundabout below the high Citadel in old Cairo matches the logic of least spatial integrity and control with the longest universal distance, while maintaining the visual overwhelm over the city.