Ecological desert settlement Egypt western desert

Abstract

• The Western Desert covers 700,000 km2 and occupies about two-thirds of Egypt's land area. It spans from the Mediterranean Sea from north to the Sudanese border at south and from the Nile River east to the Libyan border west. • The population density of the Nile valley is 1500 persons/km2 while the population density of the western desert is 5 persons/km2. • The yearly population growth rate average 2% in 2017. Although Egypt population is 95 million, by 2050 the population will reach 150 million. • So we should start reclaiming the desert as the Nile valley became over crowded by inhabitance. • The tents of passing nomads occupies the desert land which is often considered as a primitive wasteland. Shelter is principle for the life of all human beings as it must adapt to the living requirements including climate, site conditions and human needs. • Egypt is one of the solar belt countries which is characterized by arid climatic conditions. • Ecological settlement is one of the best solutions for reclaiming the desert using natural resources by the help of digital software named (AUTODESK FLOW DESIGN) (wind simulation program). • By using combination between vernacular architecture and high tech architecture the thesis will introduce a desert settlement proposal in Bahariya oasis. Keywords: Ecological, Nomads, Arid climate, Vernacular architecture