The Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities issued Ministerial Decision No. 932 of 2026 amending the records of buildings and structures of distinctive architectural character in Cairo Governorate.
The decision adds new properties to the records while removing others from the legal protection granted to heritage buildings. It was officially published today in the Official Gazette, “Al-Waqa’i Al-Masriya.”
The decision is based on the provisions of Law No. 144 of 2006 concerning the regulation of the demolition of non-unsafe buildings and structures and the preservation of architectural heritage, as well as recommendations submitted by the permanent committees responsible for surveying distinctive buildings in Cairo Governorate.
“Heliopolis Cinema” and Al-Orouba Villa Added to the Protection List
Article One of the decision provides for adding two prominent properties in the Heliopolis district (Eastern Area) to the records of buildings of distinctive architectural character in order to protect them and preserve their architectural and historical value.
The properties are Villa No. (13), located on Al-Orouba Street, Plot (2), Block (276), with Documentation No. (02087798245); and “Heliopolis Cinema,” located at No. (23A) Ibrahim Street, Plot (9), Block (53), with Documentation No. (02087798246).
Two Properties in Helwan and Al-Gamaleya Removed from Heritage Records
Meanwhile, Article Two of the decision provides for removing two properties from the records of buildings of distinctive architectural character in the governorate, following a review of their engineering and structural status by the relevant committees.
The properties removed are the Southern Area property, No. (10) Zaki Street in Helwan District, with Documentation No. (04260000088); and the Western Area property, No. (8) Shams Al-Dawla Alley in Al-Gamaleya (Central Cairo District), with Documentation No. (03160000357).
Legal Implications and Effective Date
The decision results in the application of the strict provisions of the Architectural Heritage Law to the newly added buildings, prohibiting their demolition or any substantial modifications to their architectural character. Meanwhile, this prohibition is lifted from the properties removed from the records, which will once again be subject to the provisions of the general building law.