Staging the Past and the Future along Alexandria's Corniche

Since the new Library was opened in 2002 the waterfront theme has held an important place in recent projects for Alexandria, so long overshadowed by Cairo and Luxor and now seeking renewed popularity in international tourism. From 2004 onwards various spectacular auteur projects for the Eastern Harbour have been proposed and reviewed. Initially discussing them all, this paper then explores the peculiarities of Alexandria’s waterfront theme viewed as an expression of the everchanging relationship between port and city. In considering how the Corniche was built, we can see how it mirrors Alexandria’s many roles – as a port-city, as an international resort, as a summer capital – all bearing witness to urban projects of the past.