Designing for Conviviality: A Context-Sensitive Framework for Evaluating Public Parks in Cairo,Egypt

Abstract

This study develops the Context-Sensitive Integrated Conviviality Evaluation Framework (CS-ICEF) to assess conviviality in public parks, addressing the limitations of Eurocentric public space models when applied to cities of the Global South. Conviviality—the capacity of diverse social groups to coexist meaningfully within shared spaces—remains under-theorized in relation to micro-spatial design and informality. Drawing on mixed-methods research conducted in two public parks in Cairo, the International Park and the Child Park, the CS-ICEF integrates spatial audits, behavioral observations, and user perception surveys to evaluate how formal and informal spatial attributes shape inclusive urban experiences.

The resulting 23-criterion framework operationalizes conviviality across six design dimensions: accessibility, spatial design, activities, climate responsiveness, cultural comfort, and informal use accommodation. Findings indicate modest conviviality performance (62% and 56.5%), reflecting limited integration of shade, gender-sensitive zones, and flexible infrastructure. Moreover, recent renovations and partial privatization have introduced exclusionary dynamics that weaken these parks’ social roles.

By incorporating a Rubric Assessment Tool (RAT) that bridges universal design principles with Cairo’s climatic, cultural, and socio-spatial specificities, the CS-ICEF offers an empirically validated, adaptable tool for evaluating and enhancing conviviality in public spaces. The study provides actionable insights for urban planners and designers seeking to foster equitable, inclusive, and resilient public realms across the Global South.