Preserving 20th-Century Architectural Heritage in Egypt with an Analytical Case Study of El Minya City

The architectural heritage of the twentieth century, often overshadowed by ancient monuments, faces increasing threats on a global scale. These structures embody the political, social, and cultural transformations of the past century events of nations, yet their significance is frequently misunderstood or dismissed as being too contemporary to warrant preservation. In Egypt, the situation is particularly critical. The country’s modern architectural legacy emerged from a century marked by colonial influence, rapid modernization, shifting political systems, and evolving state-led urban policies. Despite multiple efforts to document this heritage and establish evaluation criteria, the survival of twentieth-century buildings remains precarious. Economic pressures, unregulated real-estate development, and administrative neglect continue to drive the demolition or deterioration of many significant sites. This study investigates the policies, legal frameworks, and institutional practices governing the preservation of Egypt s twentieth century architectural heritage. It draws upon expert and stakeholder perspectives and integrates comparative case studies from Cairo the capital and a detailed documentation and spatial analysis of El Minya, a regional city in Upper Egypt. This dual perspective highlights the differing conservation priorities and challenges between central and peripheral contexts. Ultimately, the research proposes recommendations to enhance the protection and appreciation of Egypt s twentieth-century architectural heritage.as an integral part of its national identity and collective memory.