Galala University proudly announces that the ‘Recovery Lab of Port Said’—a collaborative heritage conservation project in which the university played a key role—has been named Egypt’s 2025 ‘Conservation & Heritage Initiative of the Year’.
The award, presented by a national committee of heritage and construction experts, honors the rehabilitation of the Khedive Abbas Helmy II Bazaar, a 19th-century architectural gem reflecting Port Said’s unique blend of local craftsmanship and European modernist influence. Through a powerful partnership led by Brandenburg University of Technology, and in collaboration with Al-Yakaniya for Heritage and Arts, Port Said Ala Ademo, and Galala University, the project restored both the physical structure and the social significance of this long-neglected site.
Galala University contributed academic expertise, student engagement, and architectural innovation, reinforcing its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially: https://www.big5constructegypt.com/big-5-egypt-impact-awards/#winners
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – by helping protect cultural heritage and promote inclusive urban regeneration;
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – through international and local collaboration that blends knowledge, creativity, and action.
“This recognition is a testament to the power of academia and community engagement in transforming cities through heritage preservation,” said a university spokesperson. “We are proud to support Egypt’s cultural legacy while preparing future generations of architects and urban planners.”
The ‘Recovery Lab of Port Said’ is a model for cross-sector cooperation and a symbol of hope for cities with complex histories seeking sustainable futures.
