Resident Perspective: Maadi
Resident Perspective are a series of standardized interviews with Cairo residents to get their views on the city and their neighborhoods.
CO: Where do you live?
Hany: Maadi
CO: Describe your neighborhood in three sentences or less:
Hany: Quiet and pleasant neighborhood with lots of greenery, beautiful modern buildings and villas and plenty of squares.
CO: How did you end up living here?
Hany: I was born there
CO: What is your relationship with the neighborhood?
Hany: I’m very attached to Maadi, all my family lives there; I grew up in Maadi club, and I’m always in touch with fellow old Maadians.
CO: What is your favorite thing about it and what is your biggest complaint?
Hany: Favorite thing: The quiet and nice streets of Maadi Sarayat/Degla, such a pleasant walk. Biggest Complaint: Garbage handling by the company the government granted the contract of cleaning Maadi (Europe 2000) they are doing the worst job ever.
CO: How do you get around Cairo?
Hany: Driving my car (95% of the time)
CO: How do you feel about Cairo as a city?
Hany: Cairo as a city is very chaotic and polluted, but warm and authentic at the same time. I have mixed feeling about Cairo, sometimes I hate it so much from traffic, people’s behavior and how much they don’t abide by laws, street vendors breaking all laws and taking over main streets in downtown by force. When I manage to overlook all these things, I fell in love again with Cairo and it’s culture and authenticity.
CO: Do you know how your neighborhood or Cairo as a city is governed? And if it were possible would be an active participant?
Hany: I know how it’s governed, but because the common perception about communities/councils within districts is that they are useless and helpless, so I was never motivated to join.
CO: What is your favorite outing in the city/favorite place? (Malls, parks, cafes, a historic site etc)
Hany: Mall: Maadi City Center, Cafes: Starbucks Korba, Historic site: Moez Street
CO: Is there a green space/public space near by? Do you go? Is that important to you?
Hany: In maadi, small green spaces are scattered all over the neighborhood (squares).
CO: Do you feel you know your city and its history well enough?
Hany: I like living in Cairo, regardless of everything, but I’m not sure I know it that well though.
CO: One thing you wish to see done/improved in Cairo:
Hany: Discipline & Law enforcement with no exceptions.
CO: If you were to move to another district, what would it be? OR if you were to move from Cairo which city would you move to and why?
Hany: If I’d move from Maadi, I’ll go to suburban compound in 6th October or New Cairo. If I’d move from Cairo, I’ll live in Dahab.
