Egyptian Urban Forum for Children 2025:

Authenticity & Innovation

We brought together children and youth aged 7–18 with architects, researchers, and urban planners to reimagine Egyptian cities that are more humane, sustainable, and innovative.

Hosted at the House of Egyptian Architecture, Cairo — August 30–31, 2025.

In partnership with the Child University Program (Academy of Scientific Research and Technology) and supported by the Ministry of Culture — Cultural Development Fund.

Overview

The Egyptian Urban Forum for Children is a Children Urban Hub initiative that creates an unprecedented platform where children actively participate in shaping the urban landscape of their cities. Now in its second edition, the forum has evolved into an independent platform supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Child University Program.

This year's theme, "Authenticity & Innovation," focuses on merging Egypt's rich cultural identity with contemporary innovation — because we believe that the best cities are designed with both heritage and fresh thinking.

As Architect Hamdy El Setouhy, Assistant Minister of Culture for Cultural Projects and General Supervisor of the Cultural Development Fund, stated: "Integrating authentic cultural identity with contemporary innovation forms a fundamental pillar for the future of Egyptian cities."

What We Set Out to Do:

- Empower children and youth to express their urban visions and ideas

- Foster community participation in shaping cultural and urban policies

- Bridge the gap between younger generations and decision-makers

- Translate children's ideas and recommendations into actionable projects

- Promote sustainability, creativity, and cultural identity in urban development

Day 1 — Interactive Workshops & Creative Activities

Children dived into hands-on activities and meaningful discussions, expressing their creative ideas and visions for more sustainable and innovative cities.

ARCHITECTURE4KIDS Workshop — Led by Dr. Mai Mourad

An interactive workshop that introduced children to architectural thinking and urban design concepts through hands-on activities.

Children's Stories as Maps for the Future City — Led by Writer Heba Sherif

A creative storytelling workshop where children used narratives to imagine and map their ideal future cities.

Fluffy Bear Workshop

Creative activities that highlighted children's imaginative abilities in urban planning and spatial visualization.

Three interactive sessions were held with groups of children discussing sustainable cities, safe public spaces, and child-friendly urban environments.

Day 2 — Dialogue & Closing Ceremony

The highlight of the forum was the closing panel "Children Ask, Officials Answer." Our young participants posed direct, bold questions to officials and experts:

"Why aren't cities more child-friendly with dedicated cycling paths?"

"How can we make streets safer for walking and playing?"

"We want schools that have libraries and play areas — where we can learn and play at the same time."

Architect Hamdy El Setouhy personally engaged with these questions, affirming the Ministry's commitment to building a generation capable of meaningful participation in shaping the future of their cities.

Urban Market for Children

As part of the forum, we hosted the Urban Market for Children — a unique opportunity for young entrepreneurs with small businesses, handmade crafts, or creative products to showcase and sell their work to an audience of children, architects, and urbanists.

Outcomes & Recommendations

Our forum concluded with key recommendations that will be submitted to relevant authorities for follow-up and implementation. These aren't just ideas — they're commitments.

1. Integrate into Education — Incorporate similar activities into educational and cultural programs to strengthen children's awareness of urban identity and planning.

2. Direct Access to Decision-Makers — Encourage initiatives that give children direct opportunities to pose their questions and ideas to officials and decision-makers.

3. Nationwide Expansion — Expand participation to include schools and cultural centers from various governorates across Egypt. We already attracted children from Alexandria and Qalyubia in addition to Cairo.

4. A Replicable Model — Adopt the forum as a model for designing future programs that integrate children's creativity into urban development and sustainable planning.

5. Sustainable Platform — Ensure the forum is held periodically to serve as a sustainable platform for intergenerational dialogue and policy input.

Awards & Recognition:

Five main awards and multiple certificates of appreciation were distributed to honor outstanding projects and ideas, including the Dr. Ali Raafat Award and the Dr. Abdel Baqi Ibrahim Award.

What's Next:

The Ministry of Culture has committed to submitting children's recommendations to relevant government bodies, expanding the forum to new governorates, establishing it as a recurring periodic event, and translating children's ideas into implementable projects.

As Architect Hamdy El Setouhy confirmed: "The forum represents a pioneering step in engaging children in shaping future visions for urbanism and culture, and the experience has succeeded in connecting new generations to Egyptian identity and opening the way for them to express their visions with courage and freedom."

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