THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

OF LANDSCAPE PROJECTS
By

Shereen Mohamed Mahmoud Eweda

A Thesis Submitted to the

Faculty of Engineering at Cairo University
In Partial fulfillment of the
Requirements for the degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
In
ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, CAIRO UNIVERSITY

GIZA, EGYPT
MAY 2010
Table of Content
page
Dedicate................................................................................................. i
Acknowledgment................................................................................... ii
Table of Contents................................................................................... iii
List of figures......................................................................................... vii
Abbreviations......................................................................................... xii
Introduction of the study....................................................................... xiii
Objective of the study............................................................................ xiii
Methodology.......................................................................................... xiv
Research Structure.................................................................................. xvii
Abstract.................................................................................................. xix

Part
SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT AND LANDSCAPE
I
Chapter 1 THE ENVIRONMENT 1
Introduction..................................................................................................... 2
1-1 Meaning of environment......................................................................... 2
1-1-1 The natural environment........................................................ 3
1-1-2 Biological Environment......................................................... 3
1-1-3 Built Environment.................................................................. 3
1-2 Environment and Ecosystem.................................................................. 5
1-3 Characteristics of The Environmental system........................................ 7
1-4 The Role of Man in the Environment..................................................... 8
1-4-1 The direction to Industrialization........................................... 10
1-4-2 The Direction to Development and Urbanization.................. 11
1-4-3 Environment and Development............................................. 14
1-5 Global Warming...................................................................................... 17
Conclusion...................................................................................................... 20

Chapter 2 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Introduction..................................................................................................... 23
2-1 General Concept for the Landscape Science.......................................... 23
2-2 Ecological Science and its Relation to Landscape................................. 26
2-3 How human deals with the Environment............................................... 26
2-3-1 Levels of Landscape.............................................................. 26
2-3-2 Position of Landscape in the urban Development issue......... 27
2-3-3 Relationship between man and the environment.................... 27
2-3-4 Methods of Dealing with the environment............................. 28

iii
 2-4 History of landscape Architecture.......................................................... 29
2-4-1 Ancient Egyptian Gardens.................................................... 29
2-4-2 Ancient Mesopotamia Landscape.......................................... 36
2-4-3 Persian Gardens...................................................................... 38
2-4-4 Greek Gardens........................................................................ 42
2-4-5 Roman Gardens...................................................................... 43
2-4-6 Japanese Gardens................................................................... 46
2-4-7 Chinese Gardens..................................................................... 50
2-4-8 European Medieval Gardens.................................................. 52
2-4-9 Islamic Gardens...................................................................... 55
2-4-10 Renaissance Landscape.......................................................... 60
2-4-11 English Gardens in the 18th to 20th century............................ 66
2-4-12 North American Landscape................................................... 67
2-5 Contemporary Parks.............................................................................. 73
2-5-1 Andalus Park, in Egypt 1927............................................. 73
2-5-2 Akigase Park, in Japan...................................................... 76
2-5-3 Millennium Park, in Chicago 2004..................................... 78
2-6 Impact of environment of landscape...................................................... 81
2-6-1 Analysis of Environmental Impacts....................................... 81
2-6-2 Comparison........................................................................... 89
Conclusion...................................................................................................... 90

Part
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSEMENT
II
GENERAL CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
Chapter 3 91
IMPACT ASSESSEMENT (EIA)
Introduction..................................................................................................... 92
3-1 Definition of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)......................... 92
3-2 Purpose of EIA........................................................................................ 97
3-2-1 EIA is a tool for the Sustainable Development...................... 100
3-2-2 The Role of EIA for Protecting the Environment.................. 102
3-3 History of EIA........................................................................................ 107
3-4 The worldwide Spread of EIA................................................................ 116
3-5 Different Types and kinds of Projects Submissive to EIA..................... 120
3-5-1 Types of Projects.................................................................... 121
3-5-2 Types and characteristics of Necessary projects Submissive
to EIA.................................................................................... 121
3-5-3 General Rules of EIA of Projects........................................... 126
3-6 Related fields to EIA for Projects........................................................... 127
Conclusion...................................................................................................... 131

iv
Chapter 4 EIA METHODOLOGIES 133
Introduction...................................................................................................... 134
4-1 Objective Criteria for selecting EIA Method.......................................... 134
4-2 Methods of Evaluation............................................................................ 136
4-2-1 Ad Hoc Method...................................................................... 137
4-2-2 Checklists................................................................................ 138
4-2-3 Matrices................................................................................. 139
4-2-4 Leopold Matrix....................................................................... 140
4-2-5 Graphical Method................................................................... 142
4-2-6 Numerical Methods................................................................ 143
4-3 Procedures of EIA in the World............................................................. 144
4-3-1 USA........................................................................................ 146
4-3-2 UK.......................................................................................... 148
4-3-3 EU........................................................................................... 149
4-3-4 Netherland............................................................................... 151
4-3-5 Canada..................................................................................... 153
4-3-6 Australia.................................................................................. 155
4-3-7 Japan......................................................................................... 156
4-3-8 China........................................................................................ 157
4-3-9 New Zealand............................................................................ 158
4-3-10 South Africa............................................................................. 160
4-3-11 Kenya....................................................................................... 162
4-3-12 Tanzania.................................................................................... 164
4-3-13 Mozambique............................................................................. 166
4-4 Comparative Analysis of Different Procedures........................................ 169
4-5 General Components of the EIA Report................................................... 172
4-6 Environmental Impact Assessment Procedure in Egypt........................... 179
4-6-1 EIA Legislation......................................................................... 179
4-6-2 EIA Administration.................................................................. 180
4-6-3 EIA Practice.............................................................................. 181
4-6-4 EIA Process............................................................................. 183
4-7 Methodology of EIA Report and the Environmental Studies in Egypt.... 187
4-7-1 Requirements of an Effective EIA Process.............................. 188
4-7-2 Components of EIA Report...................................................... 190
Conclusion......................................................................................................... 194

v
Part
EIA FOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 196
III
Chapter 5 LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT 196
Introduction....................................................................................................... 197
5-1 Importance of Landscape Assessment...................................................... 197
5-2 Landscape Assessment and Design........................................................... 199
5-2-1 Definition of EID...................................................................... 199
5-2-2 The EID Process....................................................................... 201
5-3 Baseline Studies........................................................................................ 202
5-4 Impact Prediction...................................................................................... 205
5-5 Methods of Landscape Assessment.......................................................... 207
5-5-1 Descriptive Inventory Methods................................................ 208
5-5-2 Public Preference Methods....................................................... 210
5-5-3 Quantitative Holistic Techniques............................................. 213
5-5-4 Landscape Character Assessment............................................ 216
5-6 The Proposed Model of EIA for Landscape Projects............................... 221
Conclusion........................................................................................................ 224

Chapter 6 ANALYTICAL STUDY OF CASE STUDIES 225

Introduction....................................................................................................... 225
6-1 Methodology of analytical study.............................................................. 226
6-1-1 Objective of the Analytical Study............................................... 226
6-1-2 Proposed Method for Parks assessment....................................... 226
6-1-3 Procedures for Conducting Analytical Study............................... 227
6-1-4 Criteria for Selecting Case studies............................................... 227
6-1-5 Requirements for Park Assessment.............................................. 229
6-2 CASE STUDY I: Al Azhar Park, in Egypt............................................. 230
6-3 CASE STUDY II: Salam Park, in Saudi Arabia..................................... 275

Chapter 7 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

General results of the Research.......................................................................... 298
Results of theoretical study................................................................................ 298
Results of Applied study........................................................................ 306
Recommendations.............................................................................................. 309

References............................................................................................................. 310

vi
List of figures
FIGURE SUBJECT PAGE

Figures of chapter 1
(1) Energy flows and material cycles................................................................. 6
Greenhouse effect schematic showing energy flows between spaces, the
(2)
atmosphere and earth's surface..................................................................... 19
Figures of chapter 2
The Egyptian garden is surrounded by rows of trees and hierarchy of
(3) levels of trees. Pergola bordering the main alley along the
axis................................................................................................................ 30
A Symmetrical layout of a garden with a rectangular pond in front on the
(4)
main longitudinal axis................................................. 30
(5) The concept of the Egyptian Park................................................................. 30
(6) The Egyptian was willing for agriculture and horticulture........................... 30
(7) Palace of a Governor..................................................................................... 31
(8) Ancient Egyptian Dwelling.......................................................................... 31
Homeward ancient Egypt-Painting by HM Herget - October 1941
(9)
National Geographic magazine.................................................................... 36
(10) Babylon garden A.............................................................................. 38
(11) Babylon garden B......................................................................................... 38
(12) Drawing of Persian Gardens......................................................................... 41
(13) House of the Vetii, Pompeii, the arcade....................................................... 45
(14) House of Tibertinus, Pompeii....................................................................... 45
(15) House of Tibertinus, Pompeii, irrigation system.......................................... 45
(16) Karesansui garden......................................................................................... 46
(17) The Japanese Garden, the Tsukiyama style.................................................. 47
(18) The Japanese Garden, the Chanwa style....................................................... 47
(19) A stone lantern in the upper lake of the Japanese Garden............................ 48
(20) Water is an important element in Shanghail’s Yuyuaan Gardens................ 52
(21) The classic curved bridge is used in many Asian gardens........................... 52
Penjins Garden at the pagoda Yunyan Ta (Cloud Rock Pagoda; Suzhou,
(22)
China)........................................................................................................... 52
(23) Rock sculpture from the 'Lingering Garden' of Suzhou, China................... 52
(24) Baghe Ferdows, Tajrish, Tehran................................................................... 58
(25) Shalamar Garden.......................................................................................... 58
(26) Bagh-e Fin, Kashan....................................................................................... 58
(27) Hezar-Jarib, Isfahan...................................................................................... 58
(28) Shalimar gardens........................................................................................... 58
(29) Bahia Palace- Morocco................................................................................. 58
(30) Al-Hambrawater – Spain.............................................................................. 58
(31) Al-Hambra Palace – Spain........................................................................... 58
(32) Palmery – Morocco....................................................................................... 59
(33) Morocco........................................................................................................ 59
(34) Taj Mahal...................................................................................................... 59
(35) Taj Mahal...................................................................................................... 65
(36) Catherine de Médicis from the château de Chenonceau............................... 65

vii
FIGURE SUBJECT PAGE

(36) Catherine de Médicis from the château de Chenonceau.............................. 65

(37) Medici Fountain, Paris................................................................................. 65
(38) Château and gardens of Blois, about 1570.................................................. 65
(39) Fountain of Diana, in the gardens of Fontainebleue.................................... 65
(40) Garden of the Château d'Ambleville............................................................ 65
(41) Layout of the Central Park, New York 1858.............................................. 71
General view of Central Park New York, 1857 by Fredrick Law Olmsted,
(42)
and Calvert Vaux......................................................................................... 72
(43) Grant Park Atlanta, by Fredrick Law Olmsted, 1858................................. 72
(44) Brooklyn Park, New York, by Fredrick Law Olmsted, and Calvert Vaux.. 72
(45) Lincoln Park, Chicago, 1943, the site was a general City Cemetery........... 72
(46) The site of Al-Andalus Park, Egypt............................................................ 73
(47) The three main sectors in the Andalus Park………………………………. 74
(48) The central fountain in the Al- Andalus Park, the Indalusian sector........... 74
(49) The central pavilion which contains the statue of Ahmed Shawki.............. 74
(50) Some views in Al-Andalus Park………………………………………….. 75
(51) The general layout of the Akigase Park, Japan............................................ 76
(52) Air view of the site location of the Akigase Park, Japan............................. 76
(53) Different places in the Akigase Park……………………………………… 77
Different places in the Akigase Park, open spaces, the tennis zone, the
(54)
baseball area, the soccer area, rugby areas and the wide open spaces……. 77
(55) The site of the Millennium Park, before establishing the park…………… 78
(56) The general layout of the Millennium Park………………………………. 78
(57) The general layout of the Millennium Park………………………………. 79
(58) Details of the Jay Pritzker Music Pavilion in the Millennium Park………. 79
(29) Social activities in the Millennium Park………………………………….. 79
(60) A Panorama view of the Millennium Park……………………………….. 80
(61) The Cloud Gate Sculpture by the British artist. Anish Kapoor, near the
entry of the park………………………………………………………….. 80

Figures of chapter 3
(62) The relationship between sustainable development and social economic
and environment………………………………………………………….. 100
(63) An EC framework for sustainable development......................................... 101
(64) Different impacts on the NEPA process………………………………….. 108
(65) A general model for the EIA procedure…………………………………... 111
(66) EIA systems worldwide (so far)………………………………………….. 117
(67) Classification of projects …………………………………………………. 123
(68) The world Bank Classification of projects................................................... 125
(69) SEA in relation to other decision-making processes...................................
128

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FIGURE SUBJECT PAGE

Figures of chapter 4
(70) The EIA process in general………………………………………………. 145
(71) The EIA process in USA………………………………………………… 147
(72) The EIA process in UK………………………………………………….. 148
(73) The EIA process in European Union…………………………………….. 150
(74) The EIA process in Netherland………………………………………….. 152
(75) The EIA process in Canada……………………………………………… 154
(76) The EIA process in Australia…………………………………………….. 155
(77) The EIA process in China………………………………………………... 157
(78) The EIA process in New Zealand………………………………………... 159
(79) The EIA process in South Africa………………………………………… 160
(80) The EIA process for Kenya……………………………………………… 163
(81) The EIA process for Tanzania…………………………………………… 165
(82) The EIA process for Mozambique……………………………………….. 167
(83) The main steps in the EIA process for Egypt……………………………. 195

Figures of chapter 5
(84) The position of landscape in the environmental impacts………………… 200
(85) The role of GIS in the Landscape assessment process…………………... 206
(86) A Model of environmental Impact Assessment for Landscape projects… 224

Figures of chapter 6
Al Azhar Park
(86’) Ariel view of Al Azhar Park 230
(87) Map of Al-Darb Al-Ahmar district and the location of Al Azhar Park….. 237
(88) The Attarin area, spices shops.................................................................... 238
(89) Suq al-Silah Street..................................................................................... 238
(90) The craftsmen in their workshops where they display their products... 238
(91) The activity of Khayyamiya street............................................................. 238
(92) General view of Al-Darb Al Ahmar........................................................... 238
(93) General view of El Megawrein................................................................... 238
(94) Historic buildings and deteriorated houses................................................. 238
(95) Small Street of Al-Darb Al Ahmar............................................................. 238
(96) Commercial activities of the main streets................................................... 238
(97) The physical character of the site of Al Azhar Park Before construction.. 239
(98) Al Azhar Mosque........................................................................................ 240
(99) Sultan Hassan and Al-Refae....................................................................... 240
(100) Madrasas of the Mother of Sultan Shaaban................................................ 240
(101) Khan Al-Khalili.......................................................................................... 240
(102) Aerial view Al Azhar mosque in relation to the site of the park............... 240
(103) Aerial view of the citadel sultan Hassan, Refaei in relation to the site...... 240
(104) The proposed site of the Park, Al-Darassa municipal dump, in 1992........ 242
(105) Azhar Park layout....................................................................................... 243
(106) Hill Restaurant............................................................................................ 244
(107) Lake Restaurant......................................................................................... 244

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FIGURE SUBJECT PAGE
(108) Aerial view over the park, at the right the Hill Restaurant and at the left
the Lake...................................................................................................... 244
(109) The fence of the park from inside............................................................... 245
(110) The lake at the south of the park................................................................. 245
(111) The spine of the park with the royal palm tree and the water feature........ 246
(112) Central promenade, paved with tile pavement........................................... 247
(113) Paving stones contrast with the planting................................................... 247
(114) Construction of water channel near the Lakeside Café............................. 247
(115) Children's playground, built over buried water reservoir........................... 247
(116) Layout of the Park...................................................................................... 247
(117) Plan, section and elevation of the Hill restaurant....................................... 248
(118) Longitudinal Section of the Hill Restaurant............................................... 249
(119) Perspective view for the Restaurant........................................................... 249
(120) Isometric View for the Restaurant.............................................................. 250
(121) Plan, section and elevation of the Lake Cafe.............................................. 250
(122) General layout of Al Azhar Park................................................................ 252
(123) The three reservoirs in an Ariel view......................................................... 253
(124) One of the three reservoirs at the construction stage.................................. 254
(125) The historic wall before repair.................................................................... 265
(126) The historic wall during work.................................................................... 265
(127) Relation between the park and the wall...................................................... 265
(128) Social life in Al-Azhar Park....................................................................... 267

Salam Park
(129) A general view of Salam Park................................................................... 275
(130) A Satellite view of the site shows the location of the site in the
neighbourhood............................................................................................ 278
(131) Streets around the site................................................................................. 279
(132) Salam Mosque…………………………………………………………… 279
(133) An Ariel view of the park........................................................................... 280
(134) An old Satellite Picture for the site at 2001................................................ 280
(135) General Layout of Salam Park.................................................................... 281
(136) Irrigation strategy of the whole Salam Park............................................... 283
(137) Schematic layout of Salam Park.............................................. 284
(138) Longitudinal section at the lake and the parking....................... 285
(139) Section at the lake and the contours at the middle..................................... 285
(140) Entrance views the west............................................................................. 285
(141) Entrance of the fountain viewing north...................................................... 285
(142) The main promenade in the park which is circular shape............... 286
(143) Toilets plan & longitudinal section............................................................ 286
(144) Boat ticket building plan, elevation and cross section................................ 286
(145) The park at evening showing the people enjoyment…………………….. 287
(146) An Ariel view of the circular promenade................................................... 287
(147) Part of the promenade bridge in the lake………………………………… 287
(148) The uncompleted part of the promenade.................................................... 287
(149) The lake divided b the promenade……………………………………….. 288
(150) The activities at the lake…………………………………………………. 288
(151) The activities............................................................................................... 288

x
FIGURE SUBJECT PAGE
(152) The promenade........................................................................................... 288
(153) The palm tree zone………………………………………………………. 288
(154) The ecological zone……………………………………………………… 288
(155) A diagram shows the system of water flow path in Salam Park………… 290
(156) The source of water as small cascade......................................................... 290
(157) The purity station inside the park………………………………………... 291
(158) The entrance beside the Station………………………………………….. 291
(159) Social life in Salam Park............................................................................ 294

List of tables
FIGURE SUBJECT PAGE
Summary of the comparison between the factors affecting landscape
(Table 1)
design form............................................................................................. 88
Summary of the comparison of the impact of Landscape on
(Table 2)
environment............................................................................................. 89
(Table 3) The physical environment and socio-economic....................................... 94
Sequence of applying the EIA Legislation per year (1969- 1995) in the
(Table 4)
world........................................................................................................ 119
(Table 5) EIA and SEA compared.......................................................................... 130
(Table 6) The comparison between some countries in EIA procedures.................. 169
(Table 7) EIA Practice in Egypt.............................................................................. 182
(Table 8) The required group to make the EIA report............................................. 189

xi
Abbreviations

ADAA Al Darb Al Ahmar

AKTC Aga Khan Trust for Culture
AMDAL Analysis Mengeai Dempark Lingkuangan
ASLA American Society of Landscape Architects
CAA Competent Administrative Authorities
CEAA Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
CSD Commission on sustainable Development
DENR Department of Environmental and Natural Resources
DoE Development of the Environment
EA Environmental Assessment
EC Environmental Control
EEAA Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency
EFLA European Federation for Landscape Architecture
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EID Environmental Impact Design
EIS Environmental Impact Statement
EMB Environmental Management Bureau
EMCA Environmental Management and Coordination Act
EMP Environmental Management Plan
FEARO Federal Environmental Assessment Review Office
FEIS Final Environmental Impact Statement
GIS Geographic Information System
HCSP Historical Cities Support Programme
LA Landscape Assessment
NEMC National Environment Management Council
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NEPP The National Environmental Policy Plan
OECD Organization For Economic Co-operation and Development
SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment
TOR Term Of Reference
UNEP United Nation Environmental Programme
WCED World Commission on Environment and Development
ZVI Zone of visual Influence

xii