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The thesis takes place in Cairo, a city governed by extreme informalityÌýwith 64% of the population living in [in]formal settlements. Cairo'sÌýinformality transcends, however, the boundaries of these areas and manifestsÌýitself daily in spatial and temporal appropriations byÌýcommunity members takingÌýcharge; improvising their way through the battle for resources and socialÌýjustice, and claiming their "right to the city."
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In contrast to many misconceptions, [in]formal settlements in Cairo don'tÌýdepict the typical characteristics of slums and respond to the needs of theÌýlower-middle class. The uncontrolled expansion of informal settlements onÌýscarce agricultural land in Egypt constitutes aÌýnation-wide environmental andÌýself-sufficiency problem. Moreover, it triggers the following issues: lack ofÌýopen green space, insufficient infrastructure, accessibility and garbageÌýaccumulation. Forced eviction and relocation of [in]formal communities,Ìýundertaken by the government,Ìýresult in their further marginalization, loss ofÌývitality and lack of communal responsibility.
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In this context, where the [in]formal has become mainstream, the thesisÌýraises the following questions: How can the [in]formal beÌýÌýredefined? What is the role of the architectÌýin self-organized communities? What are the tools to optimize current andÌýfuture informal growth,Ìýwhile empowering communities and celebrating theirÌýimprovisation?
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The thesis introduces the termÌýImprovitecture©Ìý(improvisation + improvement + architecture) as a catalyst for development andÌýthe architecture from, and for, informality. Improvitecture redefinesÌýtraditional borders between architect and community member, planned andÌýimprovised, and, finally, formal and informal. Inspired by ChristopherÌýAlexander’sÌýA PatternÌýLanguage, and through the case study ofÌýArd El Lewa, the thesis proposes a process and an [in]formal Pattern LanguageÌýmanual, which serves as a guide to improve [in]formal areas and embedÌýproductive green spaces, sustainability and ownership in the resident's dailyÌýlife. Within the framework of an open-source website, a workshop with childrenÌýand an exhibition on site, community members, architecture students and expertsÌýcollaboratively broke down the complexÌýphysical reality of informal settlementsÌýand their urban narratives into 101 patterns. Patterns were then analysed andÌýcombined with a set of tools and in-situ design solutions, which optimize themÌýand allow for a more sustainable built environment. To further document andÌýcompileÌýpatterns for the manual, the wider community is encouraged to take partÌýin this on-going open process by completing a pattern template and/or postingÌýgeo-tagged images of patterns to the website, which will then appear on anÌýinteractive map and a catalogue that communicate theÌýidentify of [in]formalÌýareas. For further details on the [in]formal Pattern Language initiative, visitÌý. Ìý