الفهرس 
Urban transformation processes of port city relationship : (the case of alexandria)
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Abstract
Throughout history, Alexandria’s port city relationship had been formed together as an indissoluble twin in function and space. However, over the last century, this relationship has been transformed into a complex multi-layer entity with a continuous conflict between port city actors. Hence, Alexandria port has become increasingly separated from their city in physical terms. This separation reflects how Alexandria port-city interface is shaped and governed. However, this relationship did not receive enough study to identify the urban transformation processes that shaped Alexandria port-city interface. Scholars in the field have studied port-cities from different perspectives, and introduced models of the transformation processes of port city relationship. They also proposed different approaches of planning the city with the port towards integrated port city interface. Yet, the majority of studies focused only on studying the physical transformation of the port city interface and gave no attention to understand the different forces/actors that shaped this physical change. Furthermore, the literature focused only on the Western and East Asian world, with limited research on the Middle East.
This research, hence, proposes to fill this gap, so it aims to develop a conceptual-theoretical framework to understand urban transformation processes of the port-city interface and the forces/actors that shaped those transformations (dealing with the port city interface as a process not only as a product). Second, examine the dynamics of Alexandria port city relationship, by offering a pioneer study to acknowledge the evolution model of Alexandria port city in different stages, the evolution model is hypothesized as a tool to investigate the changing spatial and functional dynamics at the port-city. Alexandria provides an interesting case study, as it is currently the main port in Egypt, and one of the oldest ports in the world. The thesis is founded on the reciprocal interaction between Alexandria’s port city and the historical and contemporary transformation processes. Also, the research addresses the question of ‘why and how Alexandria port city interface could be planned and governed within its context?’.
This research is an empirical attempt to move beyond the existing European and Asian theories, by examining Alexandria port city relationship via a grounded theory methodology. First, proposing a conceptual theoretical as a first step to form an assisting tool to understand and reframe the nature of Alexandria and how to move forward. To build this framework, the research critically reviews the normative literature available in the field, that focuses on the actors and societal relationships shaping the port city interface, rather than focusing only on its physical boundaries. Furthermore, the research analysed six European case studies as a manifestation of how governance and social integration influence the formation of the port-city interface. Second, building a documentary analysis by studying the transformation processes of Alexandria port city relationship from its foundation until today, in order to form an evolution model of Alexandria. Third, clarifying the current situation of Alexandria port city relationship using qualitative research analysis (structured interviews, questionnaires, surveys and direct observation) in order to understand/analyse different factors/actors that shaped Alexandria physical change. Finally, proposing a relevant contextual framework that could manage the port-city relationship at Alexandria. In conclusion, the research affirms that the ruling institutions in Alexandria directly affect the state of separation that exists in the port city interface. This separation is supported by the central system, military reference, laws and legislation, especially within the scope of port’s authority. Alexandria port authority focuses exclusively on the economic and logistical results of the port, and gives no attention to plan/govern the port with the city or meet the social expectations of the community in the right of access/use of the port city interface. This thesis made it explicitly clear that the coexistence between the port and the city in Alexandria is not only desirable, but inevitable. Thus, the integrated relations between the port and the city are the normative goal. Finally, the research presents practical results and recommendations to improve the relationship between city and port in Alexandria port city interface