A bustling view of Ataba Market in Cairo, a historic commercial hub known for its dense network of street vendors and traditional shops. Photos: Ahmed Morsy
Souq El-Ataba, or Ataba Market, emerged in 1869 when Khedive Ismail desired a stone marketplace similar to those in France and Turkey, per the Cairo Governorate website.
Since then, Ataba has become Cairo’s most famous open market, serving as a bustling commercial hub for well over a century. The market is a stone's throw away from the famous Ataba Square [transliterated to Threshold Square], which predates the market by decades.
Due to its historical significance, the Ministry of Local Development, the Cairo Governorate, and UN-Habitat initiated a comprehensive redevelopment plan to enhance infrastructure, improve safety, and preserve the area's cultural heritage. The infrastructure improvement will focus on pedestrian flow to solve the congestion problem, while the safety measures will prioritize fire safety.
The redevelopment will also provide a dignified working environment for vendors and a better shopping experience for visitors.
Once complete, the new Ataba Market will serve as a model for revitalizing other traditional markets across Cairo.
Phase One: Key Developments
- Cost: The initial phase will cost EGP 28 million and will be funded by the Ministry of Local Development.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: The project includes major improvements in water supply and drainage.
- Relocation of Vendors: To facilitate renovations, street vendors from El-Aseeli, El-Gohary, and Youssef Naguib streets have been temporarily moved to Ataba Garage until the project is complete.
- New Vendor Spaces: Instead of traditional ground displays, 473 structured vendor tables will be introduced to create an organized marketplace that benefits sellers and customers. The redevelopment will also ensure that permanent shopfronts, which were previously obstructed by street vendors, regain visibility and accessibility.
- Building Facelift: Historic facades of buildings that have distinctive architectural styles will be restored and painted, and unsightly elements - such as exposed electrical wires - will be removed in coordination with the National Organization for Urban Harmony.
- Comprehensive Safety Measures: Upgraded civil protection and fire safety systems will be introduced to ensure public security.
- Pedestrian-Friendly Pathways: Safer and more accessible walkways will be developed to allow smooth movement for shoppers and traders alike.
Broader Redevelopment Efforts in Ataba
The Ministry of Local Development redevelopment project is an extension of several government efforts to redevelop the area since 2019, following multiple fires that caused significant losses.
In 2024, the government launched an initiative to upgrade Ataba Square and the surrounding Moski area to highlight the urban aesthetic and improve infrastructure as part of the country's effort to develop Khedivial Cairo into a modern tourist and urban destination, restoring its status as “Paris of the East.”
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