Reviving the Caravanserais Adaptive Reuse of the Wikala of Qansuh al-Ghuri in Contemporary Cairo

This paper examines the adaptive reuse of the Wikala of Sultan Qansuh al-Ghuri, a 16th-century Mamluk caravanserai situated in the historic centre of Cairo. Originally conceived as a multifunctional commercial and residential complex, the Wikala (caravanserai) was strategically integrated into a broader religious and civic endowment that included a mosque, madrasa (school), khanqah (monastery), and sabil-kuttab (public fountain). Following a prolonged period of neglect, the building underwent substantial restoration in the early 2000s and has since been repurposed as a vibrant cultural centre hosting craft workshops, traditional performances, and community events. The study investigates the building’s historical transformations, situating its adaptive reuse within broader debates on heritage conservation, sustainability, and urban resilience. A comparative analysis is conducted of similar structures that remain extant in Cairo. Through a combination of archival research, spatial analysis, and field documentation, the paper explores how the project harmonised historical integrity with contemporary functional requirements. The paper pays particular attention to restoring architectural elements such as mashrabiya (lattice windows) and stone portals, while also addressing the challenges of integrating modern infrastructure within a heritage context. The case of Wikala al-Ghuri exemplifies the potential of adaptive reuse to revalorise historic assets, foster community engagement, and contribute to the economic revitalisation of urban districts. Furthermore, it raises critical questions about the roles of public policy, cultural memory, and participatory conservation in maintaining historic structures in rapidly transforming cities, such as Old Cairo. This contribution ultimately advocates for a model of adaptive reuse that surpasses preservation for its own sake, emphasising instead the dynamic reinvention of heritage to support inclusive, resilient, and culturally grounded urban futures.