Cairo: Issues in the Metropolis (Competency 2)

Information / Instructions

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Cairo: Issues in the Metropolis of Cairo

Competency 2: Interpret the issues in a metropolis
CairoSketchPreview

Note: There is a sister Competency 1 scenario available too:
Cairo: A Metropolitan Territory scenario

Technical: You need to Duplicate this scenario to use it, since many of the tasks require you to examine then edit the point descriptions.

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Overview:

This scenario asks students to examine and interpret issues in the "Cairo Governorate" urban territory in Egypt. Tasks and focus questions are originally based on ideas and resources from the RECITUS/LEARN resource collection on Metropolises at https://educators.learnquebec.ca/resources-edu/metropolises-cairo-montreal/

Concepts to consider include "growth, imbalance, multi-ethnicity and slums" amongst others.

Questions to consider should focus on how Cairo "is a major urban centre where power and services are concentrated, and where issues abound. People in the surrounding region and even in the national territory as a whole are drawn to it." And, interpretations should help students consider how to "Get around in Cairo" and help them reflect on other issues such as "Finding Housing" and "Waste Management", etc. (QEP page 276)

Preparation:

Title: Copy this mapping scenario and its instructions for your own use using the Duplicate button. Re-title the map to include words like, "Cairo: Issues......... by YourName".

Read up on Cairo Territory!

First, review the Geography, Population and Economy section notes in the first information icon.
Second, read through the various important issues that Cairo faces in the second information icon.
Then return here when needed, to research Cairo using the appropriate resources listed at bottom of these instructions

Tasks:

The tasks outlined here are intended to help you understand and interpret the issues outlined in the second information icon. The technique of using a Geographic Sketch is outlined in detailed here

Task 1: Cairo Traffic Facts and Solutions

After reading the texts on Cairo's road developments in the Information icon, exam both the bridge icon and the highway icon very closely, zoom in, open it, and read the information and the tasks.

Choose only one of these points (the bridge or road location) and complete the tasks inside it.

Task 2: Public transit Facts, Solutions, Challenges

Examine the text, photos and links on Cairo Public Transit in the Information icon. Or use Google Image search to find pictures of "Cairo Metro" or "Cairo Transit.) (Or use http://www.photosforclass.com)

Choose a photo you can interpret. Choose a photo that
a) you are able to exactly locate on the map!
and
b) which shows how transit projects in Cairo are filled with issues and problems, like: "they are hampered by the chaotic development of the city, as well as by dense traffic and poor road conditions", and like how transit systems are trying to service the "expanding working-class neighbourhoods, which are often far from the city centre".

Place that photo on the map using the POINT OF INTEREST marker tool (

) and add an appropriate icon. Use both the description area and by editing and drawing on the photo, show how that photo illustrates Cairo's Transit system and its challenges.

Task 3: Pollution as an issue in Cairo

Read the section on Air Quality in the Information icon. Scan the list of web sites there and also the general web links provided below.

Closely examine all the points with the blue pollution-related icons. (Open and read what is there, zoom into the area, view the photos attached and follow any links to read up on the issues and problems these photos demonstrate)

Choose only ONE of the blue pollution locations. Follow the "task" instructions inside, which ask you to both write an explanation and your interpretation of the issue, AND also to sketch on the photo how that issue is being demonstrated.

Resources

(see also links in the different points on the map):