An analysis of bioclimatic zones and implications for design of outdoor built environments in Egypt

Climate considerations are essential dimensions in the assessment of quality of outdoor built environments. This paper provides an analysis of bioclimatic classification of Egypt to help the environmental design of wide range of purposes, including: climate responsive design; energy conservation and thermal comfort in the outdoor built environments. The analysis of this classification uses a bioclimatic approach in which the comfort zone and monthly climatic lines were determined and plotted on the psychrometric chart. Since the mean radiant temperature (T_mrt) is the most important input parameter for the energy balance in outdoor environments, the charts apply the ASHRAE 55-2004 standard considering the operative temperature as a function of T_mrt. Analysis for each bioclimatic zone determines the potential of passive design strategies to maintain thermal comfort in outdoor spaces and to contribute to energy efficient built environment. Finally, this study suggests a design guideline matrix for landscape architectural design for the different bioclimatic zones.     

Sedimentary facies analysis of the Upper Bahariya sandstone reservoir in East Bahariya C area,North Western Desert,Egypt

The present work aims to deduce the depositional processes of the Lower Cenomanian Bahariya Formation, that is one of the main hydrocarbon siliciclastic reservoirs in the Northern Western Desert of Egypt. This has been achieved through the analyses of the core photographs, micro-resistivity image logs, mud logs and conventional wireline logs. The Bahariya Formation comprises a complex of depositional lithofacies such as interbedded siltstone, shale, sandstones and pebbly sandstones. The current work highlights the effectiveness of the integrative approach. A variety of datasets including core photographs, micro-resistivity image logs, mud logs and conventional wireline logs are integrated to define the conceptual depositional model in the study area.Different recorded sedimentary features point to various depositional processes. Hummocky cross stratification (HCS) is the common sedimentary structure indicating the storm action. Wave ripples are recorded providing evidence for fair-weather action on shoreface. Rhythmic heterolithics, tidalites indicate the tidal processes. The upper part of the Bahariya Formation has been influenced by wave and storm processes more than the lower parts. The core and image facies are designated, being dominated by Sandstone (S), Siltstone (Z), Mudstone (M), Heterolithic (H) and Limestone (L.s). The studied core and image facies with wireline logs facies are grouped into five major facies associations (FA). They are Tidal Channel and Tidal Creeks, Tidal Flat, Storm, Shoreface, Offshore Transition to Offshore Facies Associations. The integrative approach indicates that the Upper Bahariya Member has been deposited in a storm influenced tidal coastal realm.     

A cost allocation approach for irrigation water in Upper Egypt

An approach for estimating irrigation water cost is presented and applied to Upper Egypt. Two cost models are used. The first model is to estimate the cost of irrigation water if controlled with a multi-purpose structure. The model is used in estimating the irrigation cost at the High Aswan Dam. The second model is to allocate the cost of irrigation structures and the cost of irrigation at the multi-purpose structures among the served areas. The two models are applied to estimate the cost of irrigation water at the different regions of Upper Egypt.     

Safety Performance in the Egyptian Construction Industry

This study presents the results of a questionnaire survey that was conducted among a selected sample of large-size contractors operating in Egypt, as well as a comparison of the safety approaches in both the United States and Egypt. The results revealed that safety programs applied by large-size contractors in Egypt were less formal than those applied by their American counterparts. Only a few companies out of the surveyed sample had accident records broken down by projects and provided workers with formal safety orientation. Finally, the study recommended that reforms in the way of the employer’s contribution to social insurance were necessary; thereby linking accident insurance costs to the contractor’s safety performance. This is meant to serve as a strong incentive for safety management.     

Riverbank filtration for sustainable water supply: application to a large-scale facility on the Nile River

Riverbank filtration (RBF) is an efficient and low-cost natural alternative technology for water supply application in which surface water contaminants are removed or degraded as the infiltrating water moves from the river/lake to the pumping wells. The removal or degradation of contaminants is a combination of physicochemical and biological processes. For more than 100 years, RBF has been used in Europe for public and industrial water supply along Rhine, Elbe, and Danube rivers. This paper presents an investigation of a full-scale RBF plant located in Upper Egypt as section of Nile valley to produce drinking water. The studied plant is constructed in 2004 to supply potable water for Sidfa city (30,000 residents), Assiut Governorate. It consists of 6 vertical wells, each about 60 m deep, with distance about 30 m from the west bank of Nile. Water samples from Nile as induced surface water, from background groundwater, and from production wellfield were collected and analyzed at three discrete events. Quality measurements of physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics were obtained. Comparison of produced water with surface and background natural groundwater for the investigated plant has proven the effectiveness of RBF technique for potable water supply in Upper Egypt. Physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of the produced water are better than the allowable standards for drinking purposes. The results prove the implementation of RBF treatment method for water supply in Nile valley.     

Structuring Sovereignty: Islam and Modernity in the Mosque of Muhammad ‘Ali Pasha

Abstract

The monumental Alabaster Mosque of the Ottoman-appointed governor of Egypt Muhammad ‘Ali Pasha (r. 1805–1848) has been varyingly examined as a visual representation of the Pasha’s political ambitions, modernizing spirit, nationalist aspirations, and cosmopolitanism. Scholars have generally sought to explain the significance of Muhammad ‘Ali’s mosque through such structuring concepts as modernity and nationalism, but questions remain as to why Muhammad ‘Ali sought to embody his political agenda and personal ambitions by monumentalizing a place of worship. What about the mosque as an Islamic object and a place of worship was significant for conceptualizing modernity and nationalism in early-nineteenth-century Egypt? By approaching the mosque as a structuring institution of Islam, this article highlights the distinctiveness of the mosque as a site and an object through which Muhammad ‘Ali negotiated varying conceptions of sovereignty, power, and national identity at a time of transition in Egyptian history.     

Estimating the global solar radiation for solar energy projects – Egypt case study

The main objective of this paper is to determine the best models for estimating the global solar radiation (GSR) on a horizontal surface over Egypt. A model selection criterion is used to determine the best model for each site. A general two-stage method is developed. In the first stage, 40 popular empirical models are evaluated for a specific set of sites in Egypt. In the second stage, Egypt is divided into a set of regions each of which is described by the best found GSR model. The determined regions and regional models are based on the results of the first stage and determined based on the determined best model for the sites contained in a specific region. The results show that the solar radiation over the whole lands of Egypt can be characterised by two models: the Iranna and Bapat 10P GOB 1 and the K?l?c and Ozturk.     

Occupied Space

With the rapid privatisation of urban space worldwide, architecture has become an increasingly political issue. The Occupy Movement, which set up encampments in over half the cities in the world during 2011 to protest against social and economic inequality, understood the power of physical occupation. Architect and lecturer Louis Rice describes how the potency of such expression lies not in its form – temporary tents and makeshift structures – but in its potential to challenge the current power base and reconceptualise the city.     

Evaluation of the environmental impact assessment system in Egypt

A formal environmental impact assessment (EIA) system was introduced in Egypt through Environmental Protection Law No. 4 of 1994. This paper evaluates the EIA system in Egypt by using both ‘systemic’ and ‘foundation’ evaluation criteria. The methodology is based on an investigation of EIA legislation, a review of guidelines and relevant documents, and interviews with EIA practitioners. The main factors affecting EIA best practice in Egypt are the limited numbers of local experts, inadequate public consultation, lack of environmental data, weak follow-up, and the absence of long- term land-use plans. Recommendations to strengthen the system include improving capacity building, implementing an effective EIA consultants' accreditation system, ensuring effective public participation and access to EIA reports, applying systematic environmental impact statement (EIS) review criteria and promoting environmental awareness.     

Significance of GC/FT-IR and GC/MS in recognizing the sources of organic materials from sediments along the Suez Gulf Shoreline,Egypt

The present work aims to using the application of GC, GC/MS, UV, and FT/IR spectroscopy organic matters extracted from sedimentary hydrocarbons from six coastal stations located in the Gulf of Suez and proposed to evaluate hydrocarbons in the sediments. The results the origins of hydrocarbons are multiple sources from terrestrial inputs, biogenic, and pyrolytic. Abundance of vascular plant n C₂₃– n C₃₃ alkanes with a high odd-to-even predominance, pristane, and phytane beside nC₂₉/nC₁₇ ratios and the presence of biogenic hopanes indicate the predominance of biogenic in combination with petrogenic hydrocarbons. FT-IR spectroscopic analysis indicates high concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons as well as mono- and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons are useful tool in organic geochemistry studies. UV analysis for organic matters incorporated in sediments reveals that oil pollutants have considerable amounts of aromatic compounds.