Editing Aleppo (section)

===Preservation of the ancient city===
[[File:Khan al-Wazir with Sahibiyah mosque.jpg|thumb|left|Khan al-Wazir after rehabilitation in 2009]]
As an ancient trading centre, Aleppo has impressive ''[[souq]]s'', ''khans'', ''hammams'', ''madrasas'', mosques and churches, all in need of more care and preservation work. After [[World War II]] the city was significantly redesigned; in 1954 French architect [[André Gutton]] had a number of wide new roads cut through the city to allow easier passage for modern traffic. Between 1954 and 1983 many buildings in the old city were demolished to allow for the construction of modern apartment blocks, particularly in the northwestern areas (Bab al-Faraj and [[Bab al-Jinan]]). As awareness for the need to preserve this unique cultural heritage increased, Gutton's master plan was finally abandoned in 1979 to be replaced with a new plan presented by the Swiss expert and [[urban designer]] [[Stefano Bianca]], which adopted the idea of "preserving the traditional architectural style of Ancient Aleppo" paving the way for [[UNESCO]] to declare the [[Old City of Aleppo]] as a World Heritage Site in 1986.<ref name="Aleppo plan">{{cite web |title=eAleppo:Aleppo city major plans throughout the history |url=http://www.esyria.sy/ealeppo/index.php?p=stories&category=misc&filename=201009251220032 |language=ar |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121218150720/http://www.esyria.sy/ealeppo/index.php?p=stories&category=misc&filename=201009251220032 |archive-date=18 December 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Khandaq6 Alp.jpg|thumb|The historic street of al-Khandaq, restored just before the civil war]]
Several international institutions have joined efforts with local authorities and the Aleppo Archaeological Society, to rehabilitate the old city by accommodating contemporary life while preserving the old one. The governorate and the municipality are implementing serious programmes directed towards the enhancement of the ancient city and Jdeydeh quarter.

The German Technical Cooperation ([[GTZ]]) and [[Aga Khan Foundation]] (within the frames of [[Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme]]) has made a great contribution in the preservation process of the old city.