Construction of the Bordeaux bridge in 1821
c. 1821
National Library of France
Paris, France
Early in the 19th century, new construction techniques were applied to the building of roads and bridges. The construction of public roads facilitated industrialisation and the use of new means of transport.
Map of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia
1827
Austrian State Archives
Vienna, Austria
After the Congress of Vienna (1815), Austria annexed the territories of northern Italy, and the city of Venice, formerly a republic, became part of the Kingdom of Lombardo-Venezia. Austria absorbed the Venetian trade routes on the Adriatic Sea towards the Ottoman Empire introducing infrastructure, as this map of the postal routes shows.
The paved road between Beirut and Damascus
1864
Khalil Itani's Archive
Beirut, Lebanon
The road connected Beirut and its port with Damascus. Built under the reign of Sultan ‘Abd al-Hamid, it is an example of a communication route between a port and an internal city.
Published 1881–1884
Sharjah Art Museum / Sharjah Museums Authority
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (Sharjah)
A British engraving of the road connecting Beirut to Damascus. The concession of the works was granted to a French company under Ottoman jurisdiction, the Compagnie Imperiale Ottomane de la Route de Beyrouth à Damas.
Postcard: The Strait of Gibraltar in the Future
1902–1922
Cerralbo Museum
Madrid, Spain
The technical progress of roads and bridges stimulated the dreams and utopian visions of artists and travellers. This postcard belonged to the Marquis of Cerralbo, a Spanish archaeologist and collector. Projecting their minds outside the boundaries of their countries, the intellectual elite understood that technical progress also produced geopolitical dreams.
Early 20th century
Institut Supérieur d’Histoire Contemporaine de la Tunisie
La Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia
In 1872 an Italian company connected Tunis with the neighborhoods of La Goulette and La Marsa with a tramway. During the French protectorate the capital was then connected to Algiers, Sousse and Bizerte. Changes in public transport began in strategic centres, such as the ports, in order to share the civil and economic advantages of the new means of transport.
1908
Khalil Itani's Archive
Beirut, Lebanon
One of the main bases of the economy in Lebanon, the tramway was the easiest way to travel and transport goods in Lebanon.
1910
Lebscape
Hamra, Lebanon
One of the main bases of the economy in Lebanon, the tramway was the easiest way to travel and transport goods in Lebanon. Tramways soon became part of city landscape and streets.
Manifestation celebrating King Fu`ad I
8 May 1927
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Alexandria, Egypt
The royal road in the Fayum directorate was built by King Fu’ad, after the independence of Egypt from the British protectorate. In the independent state, the creation of new roads was one of the major concerns of the government.
Beginning of the Royal Road from the direction of the Fayum Directorate
8 May 1927
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Alexandria, Egypt
The royal road in the Fayum directorate was built by King Fu’ad, after the independence of Egypt from the British protectorate. In the independent state, the creation of new roads was one of the major concerns of the government.
Press release about Raml Tramway
3 July 1928
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Alexandria, Egypt
Egypt was a gateway for the introduction of innovations to the Arab world, due to the ambitious programmes of reforms issued by pashas and khedives in the 19th century, and to the international importance of centres such as Alexandria and Suez (the British route to India). Alexandria was one of the first cities in the world to have a tramway.