Evaluating flood and landslide hazards to cultural heritage sites in Historic Cairo

Historic Cairo faces significant vulnerability to natural disasters such as flooding and landslides. A recent study reveals that 54.1% of the area is at very low to moderate risk for floods, while 12.4% is classified as very high hazard, impacting 21 heritage sites. Additionally, 16% of the area is in high-threat zones for landslides, affecting 13 cultural sites. When considering both hazards, at least 30 sites are in high-risk areas, including 9 in very high-risk zones, particularly in central and eastern Historic Cairo. The research employed remote sensing and GIS methods, prioritizing key factors using the Analytic Hierarchy Process to generate hazard maps. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted risk mitigation strategies to protect Historic Cairo's cultural heritage. The study provides a valuable GIS-based database and hazard maps for urban planners, policymakers, and stakeholders.

Allam, A. M., Ibrahim, M. G., Kanae, S., & Sharaan, M. (2025). Evaluating flood and landslide hazards to cultural heritage sites in Historic Cairo. Natural Hazards, 121(13), 15491–15535. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-025-07401-1