The Al-Azhar
Park is important for tourists to Egypt because this hilly site is surrounded
by the most significant historic districts of Islamic Cairo. This is one of the
primary destinations for many visitors to the city, and this new park located
in its heart provides many advantages, including a wonderful view of the
surrounding area. The creation of the 30 hectare (74 acre) Al-Azhar Park on
Al-Darassa, by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, came when his highness the Aga
Khan decided to donate a park to the citizens of Cairo in 1984. The $30 million
(USD) project was designed as an agent for economic development, and has become
a case study for creative solutions to a spectrum of challenges facing historic
cities, including ecological rehabilitation.