Vernacular tradition of Cairene dwellings, Cairo, Egypt

"It is difficult to identify a unique contemporary Cairene vernacular tradition today. The massive migration from the rural areas to the cities of Egypt, particularly Cairo, has led to enormous changes on the urban scene. The most common form for these vernacular dwellings is the three- or four-storey apartment buildings on small lots with narrow street facades and little back and side setbacks. The narrow frontage condition allows for very few openings to the street, and on the upper levels, these openings take the form of narrow balconies cantilevering over the street to maximize contact with street life. Elaborate decorations and even paintings can sometimes be found on specific house walls, although in some instances these are temporary, as in murals in Egypt which celebrate -and announce- the return of an individual from the pilgrimage to the 'Holy Kaba' in Mecca." [Oliver P., 1998: Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World. Mediterranean and Southwest Asia. North Africa and Maghreb. Cambridge University Press]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.