Aswan and the high dam represent a geographical obstruction of the Nile. This landscape obstruction evolves into a disturbance of the Nubians settlements on the islands with the elimination of agriculture and trading as their main economic activities, being forced to rely on tourism, which jeopardizes their identity. After some discussion, the aim of the catalog shifted from a more geographical reflection including the islands of Elephantine, Soleil, The botanical garden and Hessa to the particular situation of the islands trapped between the two dams on Aswan Lake. 

The trapped condition of Aswan Lake islands; Awad, Philae, Bigga and Hessa, increases their reliance on tourism to survive. Nonetheless, the Nubian community is aware and reluctant of letting go their identity. The aim of this catalog is to give a critical view of the islands imbalance present and future if equilibrium between livability and character is not reached. To keep a Nubian identity, it is necessary to have a balance between the traditional way of life and new economic systems.

Dichotomies are understood as a contrast between two matters that are represented as being opposed or entirely different. In this part, we utilized the notion of ‘dichotomies’ to highlight on interesting urban topics in Djerba Island. As we try to capture these phenomena at a certain time, we stress out on the idea that these dichotomies along with the captured phenomena continuously undergo a process of formation and change.