" ... the EIB launched the 'Medinas 2030' initiative in October 2008 on the occasion of the Venice Architecture Biennale"--P. viii.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

PART I. MEDITERRANEAN SCENARIOS. 1. Rethinking Medinas in a changing Mediterranean --- 2. The Mediterranean: economic, social and political scenarios --- 3. Evolving Medinas ---- PART II. VISIONS AND STRATEGIES. 4. Transformations of the historic city of Cairo --- 5. Moroccan medinas: Meknes and Azzemmour --- 6. Damascus: 'The Jasmine Vision' --- 7. Towards a development strategy for Morocco's Medinas --- 8. Financing the rehabilitation of historic cities in the southern Mediterranean --- 9. Conclusions and recommendations.

The countries of the southern Mediterranean enjoy a rich cultural heritage, at the heart of which lie the medinas - the historic city centers, often dating back to medieval times. Although their cultural value is now widely recognized they have nevertheless been subject to neglect and decay and as yet no coherent restoration policy is being implemented. This timely volume brings together a team of experienced professionals, including urban planners, architects, economists, and financial experts to address the pressing problem of how to revitalize and restore the medinas in a sustainable way. The first part provides an introduction to the problems and issues involved in restoration. The second part presents examples of different medinas - including Damascus, Cairo, Meknes, Fez, Azzemmour - together with important material on the financing and project management of such initiatives.

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