Integrating Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Alexandria: A Pilot Project Towards UNESCO Creative City

1. Introduction

Cultural heritage is the heritage of tangible and intangible features that are unique to a group or culture, are handed down from earlier generations, are kept in the present, and are provided to future generations for their benefit. Intangible heritage includes customs, oral traditions, music, languages, poetry, dance, celebrations, religious events, and traditional knowledge systems and skills. Tangible heritage includes material heritage such as monuments, buildings, statues, paintings and objects[4].

To promote international cooperation among communities that have made investments in culture and creativity as a tactical lever for long-term urban development, the UNESCO Creative cities Network (UCCN) was established in 2004. It covers seven artistic disciplines: design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, crafts & folk art and music. The goal is to make their cities safe, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable in accordance with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development[5].

Alexandria has a rich heritage, both tangible and intangible, that has been shaped over the years by many different people. For tangible cultural heritage in Alexandria there are numerous archaeological sites, including the Roman Amphitheatre, al-Shatbi tombs, Kom al-Shokafa catacomb, al-Ras al-Soda temple, and Tigran tomb from the Graeco-Roman era[6]. Numerous mosques, public structures, and private residences were built during the Ottoman, modern, and current eras. Foreign architects from the 20th century have left their creations in Alexandria, representing the European influence on architecture and adding to the city’s heritage[7]. Alexandria has a rich and varied intangible heritage, with expressions of the five domains of intangible heritage. These include the unique songs and dances of fisherman and Sayyed Darwish’s music, the dialect of Alexandria, traditional handicraft, fishing nets and gold jewellery, and the distinctive cuisine of Alexandria, which is known for its many seafood specialties[2].

This paper introduces a pilot project to integrate tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Alexandria through applying the UNESCO initiative of creative city network. It examines the synergies and difficulties of the integration and offers recommendations for ways in which to apply the pilot project to Alexandria. In addition, this paper will prepare mapping of creative assets of the city, draft a strategy and action plan implementing the UNESCO objectives at local and international levels, and plan management unit.

To sum up, incorporating culture’s tangible and intangible aspects within one structure may serve as a steady foundation for the city’s development as a UNESCO Creative City. This kind of integration meets the ambitions of the UCCN and the Sustainable Development Goals while supporting the economy, bringing people together and maintaining traditions. This framework could be replicated by other cities with cultural heritage encountering the same problems.

1.1. Problem Statement

Alexandria’s intangible heritage is abundant, but its utilization is hindered by lack of documentation and in danger of neglect [7]. Lack of knowledge is also an issue that threatens Alexandria’s cultural heritage, with authorities, institutions, research institutes, non-governmental organizations, and initiatives unable to raise public awareness.

It is necessary to face the frightening directions to the demolition of historical buildings rather than building a new one [8]. Accordingly, this paper examines an alternative approach by reusing and rehabilitating the historical buildings. Another dimension to the definition of the problem is added through searching for a benchmark and global system to apply its principals to cultural heritage.

The incorporation of Alexandria in the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN) and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will ensure the protection of its cultural heritage on both a national and international level. Adopting an international strategy will raise awareness of the importance of intangible cultural assets in society and integrate preservation into planning projects [9].

The research gap of knowledge is that in the UCCN programme, there is no clear framework for integrating tangible and intangible cultural heritage in cities that cannot separate both resources. Because Alexandria has a rich heritage of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage [6], it is necessary to create a new framework to apply to Alexandria as a creative city in the Unesco network or any city that cannot separate both of its heritage.

1.2. Research Importance

The merging of tangible and intangible cultural heritage will result from its value to enhance the role of tourism, in addition to its importance in terms of culture, society, and the economy. It will strengthen the linkages between many world civilizations and enrich their diversity. It seeks to lay solid, sociocultural-based communication for government and community integration to enhance the economy and provide job opportunities.

1.3. Research Hypothesis

The research presupposes that, if tangible and intangible cultural heritage can be combined, protected with a strategic framework in place for Alexandria to be included in the network of creative cities, then the following points would increase the success of the project:

• hare experiences, knowledge, and best practices.
• launch pilot projects, collaborations, and initiatives involving the public and commercial sectors, as well as civil society.
• Establish professional and artistic exchange networks; and
• Conduct studies, research, and evaluations on the experience.

1.4. Aim and Objectives

It is important to note that the preservation process of tangible heritage is closely related to the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, but there is not a clear system in the UNESCO creative city network for integrating them. Thus, the main aim of this study is to develop an appropriate framework for implementing the UCCN application on cities with tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The research will apply the framework by integrating them into Alexandria as a creative city in literature and place it on the international touristic map.

Objectives of the study are based on the following:

• Analyze the efficiency of cities that contain both tangible and intangible cultural history.
• To determine if the requirements of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network can be achieved by merging both heritage and determining the extent of their efficiency.
• Measure the efficiency of integration to achieve the goals of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and the relationship between the goal and the integration.
• Setting a framework fit with the creative cities that contain both tangible and intangible history.

3. Results:

3-1 A pilot Project to Achieve the UCCN Requirements on the Selected Area in Alexandria City

Using what was found during the early contextual analysis, this section shares the findings from the cultural mapping and introduces suggested pilot interventions. Its place, the makeup of its population, the way it is governed, and its international relations allow Alexandria to have an important role in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Because of the city’s rich and varied past, its infrastructure and heritage, formed over hundreds of years, create many opportunities to refresh culture and the economy[2]. Still, the potential value of this heritage is not made full use of. Rich buildings and culture are present in Alexandria, but unpredictable economic and structural factors limit their effect on modern life and tourism development. Many heritage buildings downtown and in old immigrant communities are owned by individuals and used as residences which brings challenges to preserve them. The lack of proper records, not enough upkeep and occasionally, development projects that destroy sites on purpose has led to the fade of many heritages assets’ original character[7].

3-1-1. Involving Interested Stakeholders in the Literary Creative Field to Fulfill the Requirements of UCCN

The main points in the following are the answers suggested for Documentation Problems, Lack of Cooperation in Supporting Heritage, Neglect of Cultural Traditions and a Limited Contribution from Museums. These projects will have participants from the public and private sectors, universities, civil organizations and artists, professionals and cultural workers involved with Alexandria and its literary heritage. For example, Rakoda, Arkan, torraha and save Alex and Alexandria nonprofit cultural foundation (Figure 19) might assist in suggesting ways to integrate the community. The city of Alexandria includes 24 government, 68 non-governmental and 4 foreign cultural institutions. Even so, some have built their own cultural organizations for this reason or to avoid losing their cultural possessions to the government. (Gartland, 2002)

3-1-2. Integrating Historical Cultural Centers of the Study Area in Alexandria City with the Literary Creative field To Fulfill the Requirements of UCCN

The mapping found eight important cultural centers for eight countries and after those were mapped, the spread of their culture could be seen (Figure 9). The Alexandria relisted Building Report considers them historic buildings that have added value to Alexandria. The Russian Cultural Centre, the Goethe Institute, Dante Alighieri di Alessandria Italian culture center, The Cervantes Institute, Horreya center for creative arts in Alexandria, The French Institute in Egypt, The Greek Cultural Centre and The American Cultural Centre are the main centers for culture in Alexandria. To meet Item No. 10.1 which requires describing the creative sector’s part in the history and growth of the city [25]. By bringing together the cultural centers in Alexandria, located in registered buildings and historical areas, recording and saving them in the Alexandria folder and placing their locations on a cultural map (Figure 9), so it can easily see the cultural and literary works happening there and decide if parts need restoration.

3-1-3. Integrating Historical Hotels of the Study Area in Alexandria City with the Literary Creative Field to Fulfill the Requirements of UCCN

Once the historical hotels were documented in the research region, the mapping displays that five hotels in the case are being preserved by the Alexandria folder due to their significance and the historical events that happened in them. The hotels shown on the cultural map (Figure 10) are the Cecil Alexandria Hotel, The Paradise Inn Le Metropole Hotel Alexandria, The Windsor Palace Hotel, Marhaba Hotel and Fouad Hotel. When buildings are restored and then re-used as part of literary history, it can meet the main two criteria set by UCCN. The cultural sector’s strong economic role and dynamism are emphasized in Item No. 10.2 and it is expected that integration will bring extra money to the economy by attracting more tourists[25].

Moreover, Item No. 10.3 goes on to say that many communities and organizations in the creative field, as people connect more, gain in both strength and talent. Some groups formed by refugees and migrants and their members, are working on restoring important landmarks, helping those with disabilities find meaningful work and planning activities for the community’s social wellbeing. Based on their importance and the notable events they have hosted, the historical hotels in (Figure 10) are registered in the Alexandria folder for preservation. So, when concerts, events and festivals related to literature are held, the connection between tangible and intangible cultural heritage is achieved which corresponds to No. 10.4, asking for the holding of major fairs, conferences and gatherings such as conventions and congresses on a national and international scale[25].

3-1-4 Integrating Historical Streets and Urban Spaces of the Study Area in Alexandria City with the Literary Creative Field to Fulfill the Requirements of UCCN

Following recording of the historical streets and urban spaces in the case study area, four historical streets and three urban spaces in the area are saved in Alexandria’s preservation folder since they are important due to events that happened there and can be applied in the application based on their significance. Nabi Danial Street, Said Darwish Street, Fouad Street and Al-Atarin Street are the streets marked on the cultural map shown in the previous (Figure 11). Examples of urban spaces are Kom El Dika urban space, Midan Elmanshia and Saad Zaghlool Square. This will bring together the city’s older areas, streets, public spaces and gardens with literary and poet festivals and events by rehabilitating and reusing them, in line with Item No. 10.5 that insists on hosting major festivals, conventions and other large-scale events in the city[25].

3-1-5. Integrating Historical OKelles of the Study Area in Alexandria City with the Literary Creative Field to Fulfill the Requirements of UCCN

After the recording of the historical OKelles, it was observed that cultural mapping found that twelve historic OKelles are listed as historic buildings in the Alexandria area in the preceding (Table 2) and also on the previous map (Figure 13). Such OKelles are kept in the Alexandria folder to be preserved because of their historical value and notable occasions that took place there and they could also be employed in apps on a regional or historical basis. According to items No. 10.6, No. 10.7, No. 10.8 and No. 10.9, efforts should support literature-based arts education for young people and major processes, programmes and courses to nurture creativity and culture. Besides, there are research centres, literary institutes and programmes, along with centres for professionals, incubators for cultural enterprises and chambers of commerce with special programs for cultural goods and services [25]. To meet the criteria above, the study proposes organizing storytelling workshops, instructing young author workshops and other literary workshops, as well as rehabilitating and using OKelles to establish educational centers for literature, poetry and journalism. It is also possible that one of the buildings will be revamped to act as a center for literature and language. One can also designate zones in it for the licensing or sale of the work.

3-1-6. Heritage Walks of Literature in the Study Area in Alexandria to Fulfill the Requirement of the UCCN

After recording the literary history in Alexandria through mass media, poetry, poets, writers and literary cafes according to the study case, it is possible to design four heritage walks using the cultural maps shown in Figure 14, Figure 15, Figure 16 . The study proposed that to fulfill items No. 10.11 to No. 10.16 which encourage wider participation in cultural life, mainly in its creative fields, with those classes meant for disadvantaged groups[25], the study recommends four different heritage walks. During the first heritage walk, the places which linked to newspapers and press, examined its origins and buildings, note down whether restoration is necessary, discuss the state of each building and register whether the places are recorded in the Alexandria folder. The second route highlights Alexander’s poetry and poets, their living areas and their writings, together with the location’s important spots. In addition, determining the structure’s state, checking registration in the Alexandrian archive and deciding if it should be restored or used differently. The next heritage walks deal with Writers tied to Alexandria such as authors born or living in Alexandria or who wrote about it and connecting the place to their works. All this includes finding out the present-day appearance of the residence, if it needs restoration and whether the building is listed in the Alexandrian preservation folder. The fourth heritage walk is about literary cafes in Alexandria, where writers, poets, journalists and historians often visited and connected their work to the café because of the history of these cafes. With this proposal, the point No. 10.17 and No. 10.18 , is also addressed, as the fusion of literature and gastronomy is achieved since these cafes and restaurants are known for the local traditional food.

A-

Mass Media heritage walk of the study area in Alexandria

The five main historical Alexandrian newspapers were explored by taking a route that went by four crucial historical streets filled with important buildings that are listed for conserving in Alexandria. To visit the newspapers and the area’s attractions, the main path includes places included in the folder for preserving Alexandria and shows on the map (Figure 20).

B-

Poetry and poet’s heritage walk of the study area in Alexandria

Map (Figure 20) shows a route leading to the five most important poets who lived or were born in Alexandria, highlighting their homes, museums or streets where their names are present. In addition, the listed places coincide with three historical streets full of registered and preserved buildings within Alexandria, so creating a tourist path that can also enjoy viewing these great places.

C-

literature and writer’s heritage walk of the study area in Alexandria

The path was drawn to include the four key historical writers, who were connected to Alexandria, pointing out on the map (Figure 16) their former homes, schools, museums or houses where they lived and noting streets which hold their names, as these writers lived by three streets of interest that hold old buildings and are mentioned in the preservation folder for buildings in Alexandria, as indicated on the map (Figure 20).

D-

The literary café’s heritage walk of the study area in Alexandria

A historical path was made to reach the fourteen most important historical literary cafe that were in Alexandria, indicating on map (Figure 17) and also writers, political, composers and poets who was visiting it taking into account that they overlook three historical streets, which contain many historical buildings and registered in the Alexandria folder for preservation, indicated on the map (Figure 20), in order to make a tourist tour that is not only specific to the writers but also about viewing these buildings, squares and streets as a tourist attraction and urging them to develop and restoration.

In the end, the four historical paths that represent the press, poets, writers, and literary cafes were gathered in on map (Figure 20), and thus they can be fully applied to Alexandria because of its great history in literature, poetry, writers, and poets.

Table 3. Proposed projects to achieve integration while fulfilling the UCCN requirements and SDG’s goals.

Item No	Application form requirement	Project proposal to achieve the integration	S.D.G achieved goal	Benefits of integration
No. 10.1	which state to Role and foundations of the creative field concerned in the city’s history and development	It’s recommended to state all of Alexandrian cultural centres and all culture organizations that concerned on literature and architecture on map also to study if the need preservation.	Quality education	More education opportunities will be made available as a result of integration, particularly for the vulnerable kids, women, and men
No. 10.2 and 10.3	current economic relevance and dynamism of the cultural sector and Various communities that participate in the relevant creative .	Rehabilitate historical assets to increase economic sector, create jobs, and build skills and resilience.	economic growth, productive employment	It will provide work opportunities and economic prosperity for those involved in the creative field by rebuilding the intangible heritage domains
No. 10.5	The city hosts important festivals, conventions, and other significant events.	It is recommended to connect heritage urban spaces, historical streets and public spaces and gardens with literature and poet festivals and events in Alexandria. This will add value to the tangible and intangible heritage of the city, as well as reviving the biography of writers and poets who influenced and were born in Alexandria.	Make cities sustainable	By leveraging increased public delivery, the restoration of historical assets will significantly increase street safety. beautify inclusive, environmentally friendly, and participatory urbanization
Item No	Application form requirement	Project proposal to achieve integration	S.D.G achieved goal	Benefits of integration
No. 10.6 and 10.10	The primary cultural facilities and spaces are those devoted to the practice, promotion, and dissemination of culture and creativity, with an eye towards the general public and/or specific audiences. Initiatives, programmes, and techniques are used to promote culture and creativity.	It is recommended to rehabilitate and use Alexandria’s OKelles to establish educational places in the field of literature, poetry and journalism, storytelling workshops, teaching young writers, and translating literary works. One of the complexes can be rehabilitated to become a center for literature and language, and a building can be rehabilitated to become a scientific research centre.	No poverty Affordable and clean energy Decent work and economic growth	end poverty, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities and responsible consumption and production.
No. 10.7	Lifelong learning, postsecondary education, vocational training, residencies, and other institutes of higher learning focus on creative fields.	It’s recommended to rehabilitate the historical schools which listed in the Alexandria heritage report specially the vocational ones to be specific with literature education.	Quality education Affordable and clean energy Sustainable cities and communities	The restoration of historical assets will ensure equal access to quality, affordable technical, vocational, and higher education, as well as equal opportunity to lead and participate fully in decision-making. This will save energy and increase street safety, promote inclusive urbanization, and protect the herbal and cultural heritage of the planet.
Item No. 10.8 and 10.9	The primary cultural facilities and spaces are those devoted to the practice, promotion, and dissemination of the relevant creative sector, with an eye towards the general public and/or specific audiences.	It’s recommended to rehabilitate buildings with historical literature background to be a research centre for literature and places to sell the literature production.	Make cities sustainable	By leveraging increased public delivery, the restoration of historical assets will significantly increase street safety. beautify inclusive, environmentally friendly, and participatory urbanization
Item No	Application form requirement	Project proposal to achieve the integration	S.D.G achieved goal	Benefits of integration
Item No. 10.11 to No.10.16	The city is expected to initiate three cultural programs that will focus on vulnerable populations and encourage the partnership between the public, the private, and the civil society stakeholders.	It proposes four heritage walks to increase cultural participation by connecting the literary heritage of Alexandria to its gastronomy: Four heritage walks through the press, the poets, local writers and literary cafes and their historical and cultural context.	Make cities and human sustainable Responsible consumption and production	Restoration of historical assets will improve street safety and urbanization. Intangible heritage domains can be restored and protected, ensuring sustainable patterns of consumption and production.
No. 10.18	The major international cooperation projects that at least two of the seven creative fields have been a part of in the last four years.	Film-related activities proposed include workshops, heritage walks, festivals, and rehabilitation of okelles and historic cinemas, one as an audiovisual and cinema museum, to incorporate Alexandria film tangible and intangible heritage.	Make cities and human sustainable	Restoration of historical assets contributes to sustainable development because such structures use local materials which are strong and long lasting, and they also tend to be in a place which already has a high concentration of infrastructure and public transportation.
No. 10.19	Events, as well as major infrastructures and facilities, are made available (fairs, conferences, conventions, etc.)	The proposal seeks to reconfuse the crafts and folk arts of Alexandria by transforming historic places and schools into training centers, crafts market and festival places; developing a gastronomy research center and developing cultural routes terminated at restored traditional buildings.	Quality education Affordable and clean energy Sustainable cities and communities	The restoration of historical assets will ensure equal access to quality, affordable technical, vocational, and higher education, as well as equal opportunity to lead and participate fully in decision-making. This will save energy and increase street safety, promote inclusive urbanization, and protect the herbal and cultural heritage of the planet.
Item No	Application form requirement	Project proposal to achieve the integration	S.D.G achieved goal	Benefits of integration
No. 11	The applicant cities are requested to propose a suitable medium-term (four year) action plan in this area. The action plan highlights the important actions the city takes to fulfil the Network’s goals: employing creativity as the engine for sustainable development	It is recommended to rehabilitate one of listed buildings in Alexandria to be a museum and workshop of calligraphy, establish a street theatre, rehabilitate historical libraries buildings to be a public reading area, storytelling events, creative activities, borrowing books and E-learning, and provide outdoor public spaces to be street libraries. Finally, a documentation centre for Alexandrian literature should be rehabilitated.	Make cities and and sustainable	By leveraging increased public delivery, the restoration of historical assets will significantly increase street safety. beautify inclusive, environmentally friendly, and participatory urbanization

Source: by author based on UCCN requirements and SDG’s goals.

Table 3. Proposed projects to achieve integration while fulfilling the UCCN requirements and SDG’s goals.

Item No	Application form requirement	Project proposal to achieve the integration	S.D.G achieved goal	Benefits of integration
No. 10.1	which state to Role and foundations of the creative field concerned in the city’s history and development	It’s recommended to state all of Alexandrian cultural centres and all culture organizations that concerned on literature and architecture on map also to study if the need preservation.	Quality education	More education opportunities will be made available as a result of integration, particularly for the vulnerable kids, women, and men
No. 10.2 and 10.3	current economic relevance and dynamism of the cultural sector and Various communities that participate in the relevant creative .	Rehabilitate historical assets to increase economic sector, create jobs, and build skills and resilience.	economic growth, productive employment	It will provide work opportunities and economic prosperity for those involved in the creative field by rebuilding the intangible heritage domains
No. 10.5	The city hosts important festivals, conventions, and other significant events.	It is recommended to connect heritage urban spaces, historical streets and public spaces and gardens with literature and poet festivals and events in Alexandria. This will add value to the tangible and intangible heritage of the city, as well as reviving the biography of writers and poets who influenced and were born in Alexandria.	Make cities sustainable	By leveraging increased public delivery, the restoration of historical assets will significantly increase street safety. beautify inclusive, environmentally friendly, and participatory urbanization
Item No	Application form requirement	Project proposal to achieve integration	S.D.G achieved goal	Benefits of integration
No. 10.6 and 10.10	The primary cultural facilities and spaces are those devoted to the practice, promotion, and dissemination of culture and creativity, with an eye towards the general public and/or specific audiences. Initiatives, programmes, and techniques are used to promote culture and creativity.	It is recommended to rehabilitate and use Alexandria’s OKelles to establish educational places in the field of literature, poetry and journalism, storytelling workshops, teaching young writers, and translating literary works. One of the complexes can be rehabilitated to become a center for literature and language, and a building can be rehabilitated to become a scientific research centre.	No poverty Affordable and clean energy Decent work and economic growth	end poverty, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities and responsible consumption and production.
No. 10.7	Lifelong learning, postsecondary education, vocational training, residencies, and other institutes of higher learning focus on creative fields.	It’s recommended to rehabilitate the historical schools which listed in the Alexandria heritage report specially the vocational ones to be specific with literature education.	Quality education Affordable and clean energy Sustainable cities and communities	The restoration of historical assets will ensure equal access to quality, affordable technical, vocational, and higher education, as well as equal opportunity to lead and participate fully in decision-making. This will save energy and increase street safety, promote inclusive urbanization, and protect the herbal and cultural heritage of the planet.
Item No. 10.8 and 10.9	The primary cultural facilities and spaces are those devoted to the practice, promotion, and dissemination of the relevant creative sector, with an eye towards the general public and/or specific audiences.	It’s recommended to rehabilitate buildings with historical literature background to be a research centre for literature and places to sell the literature production.	Make cities sustainable	By leveraging increased public delivery, the restoration of historical assets will significantly increase street safety. beautify inclusive, environmentally friendly, and participatory urbanization
Item No	Application form requirement	Project proposal to achieve the integration	S.D.G achieved goal	Benefits of integration
Item No. 10.11 to No.10.16	The city is expected to initiate three cultural programs that will focus on vulnerable populations and encourage the partnership between the public, the private, and the civil society stakeholders.	It proposes four heritage walks to increase cultural participation by connecting the literary heritage of Alexandria to its gastronomy: Four heritage walks through the press, the poets, local writers and literary cafes and their historical and cultural context.	Make cities and human sustainable Responsible consumption and production	Restoration of historical assets will improve street safety and urbanization. Intangible heritage domains can be restored and protected, ensuring sustainable patterns of consumption and production.
No. 10.18	The major international cooperation projects that at least two of the seven creative fields have been a part of in the last four years.	Film-related activities proposed include workshops, heritage walks, festivals, and rehabilitation of okelles and historic cinemas, one as an audiovisual and cinema museum, to incorporate Alexandria film tangible and intangible heritage.	Make cities and human sustainable	Restoration of historical assets contributes to sustainable development because such structures use local materials which are strong and long lasting, and they also tend to be in a place which already has a high concentration of infrastructure and public transportation.
No. 10.19	Events, as well as major infrastructures and facilities, are made available (fairs, conferences, conventions, etc.)	The proposal seeks to reconfuse the crafts and folk arts of Alexandria by transforming historic places and schools into training centers, crafts market and festival places; developing a gastronomy research center and developing cultural routes terminated at restored traditional buildings.	Quality education Affordable and clean energy Sustainable cities and communities	The restoration of historical assets will ensure equal access to quality, affordable technical, vocational, and higher education, as well as equal opportunity to lead and participate fully in decision-making. This will save energy and increase street safety, promote inclusive urbanization, and protect the herbal and cultural heritage of the planet.
Item No	Application form requirement	Project proposal to achieve the integration	S.D.G achieved goal	Benefits of integration
No. 11	The applicant cities are requested to propose a suitable medium-term (four year) action plan in this area. The action plan highlights the important actions the city takes to fulfil the Network’s goals: employing creativity as the engine for sustainable development	It is recommended to rehabilitate one of listed buildings in Alexandria to be a museum and workshop of calligraphy, establish a street theatre, rehabilitate historical libraries buildings to be a public reading area, storytelling events, creative activities, borrowing books and E-learning, and provide outdoor public spaces to be street libraries. Finally, a documentation centre for Alexandrian literature should be rehabilitated.	Make cities and and sustainable	By leveraging increased public delivery, the restoration of historical assets will significantly increase street safety. beautify inclusive, environmentally friendly, and participatory urbanization

Source: by author based on UCCN requirements and SDG’s goals.

4. Discussion

This study made use of the UCCN framework to connect Alexandria’s culture, both in literature and architecture, to enhance its image as a place for culture and attract international tourists. These recommendations are closely related to diverse Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• Cultural Mapping for Heritage and Education (Item 10.1): Through UCCN guides, carry out a cultural mapping of Alexandria’s heritage and related institutions, focusing on diversity and creating opportunities for equal education for all (SDG 4).
• Heritage Rehabilitation for Economic Growth and Social Inclusion (Items 10.2 & 10.3): Heritage protection for both financial goals and society can be achieved (according to Items 10.2 and 10.3) by restoring old literary and architectural sites and offering jobs to vulnerable groups. It contributes to continuing growth of the economy, better employment and better working conditions (SDG 8).
• Preservation of Historic Hotels for Cultural Events (Item 10.4): By using heritage hotels for cultural events, it becomes possible to contribute to poverty reduction, greener energy usage, faster economic growth and sustainable urban communities (SDGs 1, 7, 8, 11).
• Activation of Urban Heritage Spaces (Item 10.5): Organizing literary festivals on Rehabilitated streets and revitalized public gardens, so communities benefit from cultural heritage, support a green city and help all to participate in the arts (SDG 11).
• Educational Centers in Historic OKelles (Items 10.6 & 10.10): In Historic OKelles (Items 10.6 & 10.10), transform existing historical places into centers for literature, poetry and journalism, to support new ideas, build infrastructure and encourage responsible use of resources (SDGs 1, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12).
• Vocational Schools Focused on Literature (Item 10.7): Restoring historical vocational schools improves education, supports equality between genders and encourages more sustainable cities and the use of clean energy (SDG 4, 5, 7, 11).
• Heritage Walks and Cultural Integration (Items 10.11–10.16): Compile heritage walks that link literary heritage, local press, poetry, cafés and food, aiming to boost life and participation of marginalized groups, with a focus on the creative field suggested by UCCN (SDG 11).
• Film Heritage and Cultural Industries (Item 10.18): Support Alexandria’s film industry by organizing workshops, festivals and museums, integrating its film tradition with typical cultural routines, all in support of sustainable cities and a growing economy (SDG 11, 8).
• Revitalization of Crafts and Folk Arts (Item 10.19): set up centers for teaching and selling traditional crafts and folk arts in revitalized historic districts, increasing the number of tourists and helping everyone profit from their economy (SDG 8).
• Gastronomy Heritage Projects (Item 10.19): setup gastronomy museums and festivals within heritage sites where visitors can learn about food and traditions at popular heritage sites, encouraging more tourism and helping the local economy become more sustainable (SDGs 8, 11).
• Literature Museums and Public Engagement (Item 11): By setting up museums, workshops, libraries and street theatres in the heritage buildings, opportunities for culture and education, as well as sustainable communities and urban areas, are given to the people (SDG 11).

5. Conclusions

The present study emphasizes the prosperous integration of both tangible and intangible heritage of Alexandria emphasizing both the heritage buildings, streets, districts and vivid literary, art, and social traditions. The UNESCO Creative City of Literature concept can serve as a successful means to place the elements of architecture and write together and to reinvigorate cultural sites, providing inclusive development in Alexandria. The pilot schemes suggested on the bases of the areas of interest of the heritage would reveal the use of literary themes to inform adaptive reuse, education, tourism, and community involvement. Sustainable developments are maintained and encouraged through education, economic growth and cultural preservation through the heritage walks, literature events, and through the reuse of historic sites, spaces to educate literary knowledge and storytelling. The research makes clear that due to the designation of Alexandria as Creative City of Literature, not only would the heritage be saved but also engaged as a living working power that would promote resilience, identity, and innovation within the urban fabric.