Thesis
Investigating the contextual characteristics of housing transformation in the Medina of North Africa : Tripoli as a case study
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2018
- Thesis identifier
- T15061
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201553226
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- The medinas of North Africa have, for centuries, maintained a unique urban fabric, which is characterised by its compactness, courtyard houses, and narrow lanes. The unique identity of these medinas was shaped by different overlapping traces of various civilizations, who occupied these cities through various historical eras, each adding their own footprints. However, in an age of globalization and standardization, these medinas, like many cities around the world, are transforming in a scale and a pace that is threatening to lose their historical and cultural identity. A combination of rapid increase in population, shortage of affordable housing and governmental attempts to provide quick urban solutionshas contributed in generating such transformation. This research explores the nature of housing transformation in three major medinas in North Africa; Tripoli, Tunis and Fez, taking Tripoli as a prime case study. The research first identifies key factors that formed traditional medinas and main drivers for the transformation process. The complexity of transformation in housing necessitates investigating the subject from different perspectives and at various levels. Physical aspects are investigated through analysing various traditional housing units from the three medinas of Tripoli, Tunis, and Fez, and non-traditional housing units from Tripoli. Whereas social aspects associated with housing transformation are analysed through investigating the meaning and use of spaces within the housing units from the user’s points of views, and housing strategies and design from the decision-makers and professional architects’ perspectives. The main question of the research is: What are the main contextual characteristics of housing transformation in major medinas of North Africa, and what are the drivers thatgenerate these characteristics? Key findings obtained from the study offer an articulate understanding of what formed houses in traditional medinas, what forces generated the transformation process, and what has actually transformed in the housing units. These key findings are translated into a number of recommendations that are aimed at contributing to housing policy making that are responsive to users’ preferences.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Salama, Ashraf M. A.
- Resource Type
- Note
- This thesis was previously held under moratorium from 6th November 2018 until 6th November 2023.
- DOI
- Embargo Note
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