Weighting intrinsic cultural significance of historic parks in Egypt - a multi-criteria approach
Weighting intrinsic cultural significance of historic parks in Egypt - a multi-criteria approach

Summary/Abstract: Historical parks are an essential and inalienable asset conjoining history and memories of communities; they are a part of the city’s cultural heritage that connects past, present and future generations. The pragmatic question addressed in this paper is how can a wide range of heritage values in historic parks be identified and prioritized in a way that informs policies and planning decisions? To answer this question, a Multi-Criteria Analysis was adopted. Delphi method was used to determine significance criteria and their weights. The study depended on the feedback from practitioners and academics in the field of cultural heritage preservation to examine the intrinsic significance of historic parks in Egypt (aesthetic, historical, scientific, social and spiritual values). Collected data were analyzed using AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) and Cumulative Voting methods integrally, and Ranking method in parallel. Results from both methods and different experts are compared. Based upon the analysis, artistic and historical values (0.31) are the priorities; the second-level accommodated intangible historical values (0.22-0.24), finally the use and the condition of the park (0.11-0.12). Weights of sub-variables disclosed minor discrepancies in ranking “emotional attachment, exposer to disfiguration, and preserving original features” variables. Moreover, experts’ opinions fluctuated based on their backgrounds.

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