In an ambitious effort to preserve Egypt’s architectural and cultural heritage, the Ministry of Culture has launched “City Memory,” a mobile application that offers users a digital window into the layered histories of Egypt’s cities.
Unveiled at Cairo Opera House by Minister of Culture Ahmed Fouad Henno, the app is a collaboration between the National Organization for Urban Harmony and the Cabinet’s Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC). The initiative marks a major step in Egypt’s national campaign to strengthen cultural identity and promote digital access to public history.
“This is not just a digital product,” Henno said during the launch ceremony. “It is a living archive of our cities — a tool that reconnects people with place, and history with contemporary experience.”
Living Map of Egypt’s Cultural Heritage
The City Memory app merges interactive technology with urban storytelling. It allows users to explore thousands of historic sites across Egyptian cities.
The app builds on a series of heritage initiatives that began in 2017 with the “He Lived Here” project — a campaign to mark homes and buildings linked to Egypt’s most prominent artists, thinkers, and leaders. Over 1,000 brass plaques have since been installed across the country, each featuring a scannable barcode that links to curated multimedia content.
Digital Heritage in the Palm of Your Hand
Eng. Mohamed Abu Saada, who heads the Urban Harmony agency, described the app as “a new phase in public access to culture.”
“This is about democratizing history,” he said. “Whether you’re a student, tourist, or local resident, the app turns every walk into a cultural journey.”
The platform incorporates three key programs:
- He Lived Here – documents homes of national icons.
- The Story of a Street – explains the origins of street names.
- Valuable Buildings – catalogs and protects architectural landmarks of cultural or historical importance.
Dr. Osama El-Gohary, head of the Cabinet’s decision support center, emphasized that the app represents not just technological progress, but “a cultural and human milestone.”
“We’re giving users a new way to see their city—with a sense of continuity and respect for history,” he said. “This is just the beginning. Our goal is to extend this documentation to every Egyptian city.”
Reclaiming Identity in a Rapidly Changing World
The project is part of a broader strategy by the Ministry of Culture to “protect the core of Egyptian identity” amid growing pressures of globalization and urban redevelopment. Officials see the app as both a preservation tool and an educational resource, especially for younger generations.
“We want young people to see the streets they walk every day not just as roads, but as stories,” Henno said. “Stories that define who we are.”
The launch event also featured a documentary film about the project and recognized the academic committees behind the documentation initiatives. Officials say future updates will expand the app’s coverage and may include augmented reality features and crowd-sourced contributions from local communities.
A Model for Digital Cultural Preservation
As more governments turn to tech-driven cultural initiatives, Egypt’s City Memory app could serve as a regional model. It blends civic storytelling with smart city tools, offering a replicable approach for nations seeking to preserve heritage in the digital age.
In a country where ancient history and modern identity intersect daily, “City Memory” is a timely attempt to make the past more accessible—and more personal.
