Hadeer S. Dahab, 2024 Two Years Later: The Enduring Legacy of Al-Khalifa Wings Hadeer S. Dahab from Athar Lina was a Tandem 360° participant. Today she shares the update about the Makanuna Al-Khalifa project and the Al-Khalifa Wings mural in the historic district in Cairo. Two years after the initial Makanuna Al-Khalifa project, the “Al-Khalifa Wings” mural continues to be a vibrant centerpiece of the neighborhood. The interactive artwork, co-designed and painted by local youth of Al-Khalifa, has become a beloved landmark that celebrates the rich heritage and community of this historic district in Cairo. The mural’s impact extends beyond its visual appeal – it has fostered a sense of pride and ownership among the residents of Al-Khalifa. The mural’s design was the dream of 16-year-old Adham al-Samanoody, who envisioned an urban intervention in his local park that would celebrate the unique identity of the Al-Khalifa neighborhood. Collage for the Al-Khalifa Wings; mural over the last three years. Credits: Hadeer S. Dahab, 2024 Through Makanuna Al-Khalifa project, Adham collaborated with his peers to bring his vision to life. He crafted the mural’s design, drawing inspiration from the neighborhood’s landmarks and historical figures. With the guidance of architect and visual artist Shama Elrasheed and visual artist Agnes Michalczyk, Adham and the Makanuna team worked together to develop and implement the final “Al-Khalifa Wings” design on a wall in the Al-Khalifa Park. “Al-Khalifa Wings” mural was one of the key outputs of the Makanuna Al-Khalifa project, a series of participatory placemaking workshops with adolescents aged 13-18 in the neighborhood of Al-Khalifa in Historic Cairo. It aimed to empower adolescents to create innovative and sustainable solutions to their community’s challenges. It also encouraged them to take an active role in designing and influencing the open spaces surrounding them. Makanuna Al-Khalifa resulted from the regional collaboration project “Makanuna: Re-thinking Spaces from a Youth Perspective” between Hadeer S. Dahab from Athar Lina and Malak Rahal from Architects for Change. All Makanuna Al-Khalifa activities were designed and implemented by Community Architect Hadeer S. Dahab in partnership with Athar Lina. Since last November, inspired by the success of this project, the Makanuna team led by Hadeer has launched a new youth-led placemaking initiative under the umbrella of “Makanuna”. Join us as we take a behind-the-scenes look at the making of "Al-Khalifa Wings." From Adham’s initial sketches to the final brushstrokes, this documentary offers a glimpse into the passion, creativity, and teamwork that brought this mural to life. Explore the journey of Adham and his fellow youth leaders as they navigate the challenges and triumphs of creating a lasting symbol of community pride. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to witness the magic of “Al-Khalifa Wings” and be inspired to join us in celebrating the spirit of creativity and collaboration. Makanuna Initiative Makanuna, meaning "Our Place" in Arabic, is a dynamic youth-led placemaking initiative. They cultivate child and youth placemakers, empowering them to collectively reimagine public spaces that authentically reflect their identity and contribute to vibrant futures for their cities. Engaging in hands-on creative activities deeply rooted in cultural context, they address spatial challenges while celebrating the living heritage that makes each community unique. Their approach is place-based, allowing their initiatives to vary from short-term activities to long-term projects or programs. This ongoing Makanuna effort aims to build on the momentum and experience gained through the initial Makanuna Al-Khalifa workshops, further enhancing the public spaces and community engagement across different neighborhoods. By empowering youth to take an active role in shaping their local environments, Makanuna is fostering a sense of ownership and pride that resonates throughout the communities they work with. Makanuna team during the 1st mentor session with zusa team. Credits: Makanuna Initiative, 2024 Learn more about Makanuna Initiative on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.