A leaked development plan for Cairo's historic Zohriya garden in Zamalek has sparked widespread concerns among activists and civil society, aiming to transform the site into a commercial complex with hotels and restaurants, defying green heritage preservation laws. Established by Khedive Ismail in 1868, the eight-feddan garden houses rare plants and historic glasshouses. Local associations demand halting the plan and adhering to urban harmony standards.
A leaked development plan for Zohriya garden in Cairo's upscale Zamalek neighborhood has ignited debate since September, when the Zamalek Association for Development published it and urged the government to confirm or withdraw it. Established in 1868 under Khedive Ismail and originally spanning 49 feddans, the garden now covers eight feddans with 157-year-old trees, historic glasshouses, and a tissue culture lab operational since 1992. It remained closed to the public until 2021, when former Agriculture Minister Al-Sayed al-Qusayr ordered its opening to visitors for a LE10 fee to generate revenue, though chronic underfunding led to its deterioration.
The plan divides the garden into four themed zones: shopping, a boutique hotel, restaurants, and a children's playground, with three areas designated as "nightlife destinations" to boost profits. This violates National Organization for Urban Harmony (NOUH) guidelines limiting construction to 2% of the area. Nadra Zaki of the Zamalek Association said: "All plants were removed from the glasshouses, raising fears they will become restaurants." A former employee confirmed three greenhouses are being converted into cafes, exploiting their heritage status for exterior preservation while repurposing interiors commercially.
The garden was transferred to the Egyptian Presidency, which granted 20-year usufruct rights to Ein al-Benaa (or Ein Developments), founded in 2023 and led by CEO Abdullah Khalil. The company dismissed around 40 former Agriculture Ministry employees. This private-sector model extends to other sites like Orman Botanical Garden and Giza Zoo, amid Cairo's green space per capita dropping to 0.74 square meters in 2020, far below the World Health Organization's 9-square-meter standard. Activists launched the "Gardens Pledge" and gathered 4,000 signatures in a week, demanding restoration over commercialization; the Egyptian Foundation for Environmental Rights filed a formal complaint to the Cabinet.