Architecture

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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11888/3185

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Browsing Architecture by Author "Dr. Ali Abdel Hameed"

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    Mutual Influence between the Physical Reality of Houses and Socio-Cultural Identity of Population / Case Study: (Old Town of Nablus)
    (2010) Rania Mohammad Taha; Dr. Eman Amad; Dr. Ali Abdel Hameed
    This study discusses the issue of mutual influence between the physical environment and the culture of its inhabitants, in the traditional ancient Arab cities. It analyses the effects that results from that particular physical environment , on the different aspects of the lives of its people , as well as their interactive influence and change on the features of the environment within which they are living, to adapt to their different needs , in this rapidly changing era of technological revolution , in order to understand how does that old urban fabric - which was originally formed as reflection and translation to a past culture – but still belongs to the same religious, ethnic, and cultural beliefs of the present inhabitants. This study aims mainly to shed light on the adequacy of housing in the Old City of Nablus, in particular - which has shown continues decline in its standards and requirements of living - for the functional , social, educational psychological and health aspects of the population , in order to determine the extent to which the mutual influence between the population and the physical environment does exists, through the analysis of the specific architectural style, of the housing environment, with its particular formation, elements and, characteristics, on the people's traditions, values, social relations, economic conditions, the quality of their jobs , their level of education, their interdependence and belonging to the values expressed by the special construction style. The study leads to the conclusion that; the existing situation of the residential environment, in the ancient historic centers in Arab cities, had lost much of it's cultural values, that forms the linking joint between the cultural and social identity of the inhabitants, and the architectural style of the physical fabric of housing. Also that the reality of its existing situation has a negative impact on residents' characteristics, and on their different life issues, while sometimes keeping part of the original features, that revives some remnants of the cultural identity of the ancient Arab Islamic cities, which confirms the applicability of the hypothesis of mutual influence between the physical environment and the social and behavioral characteristics of people, and that the continuity condition that will erase the headstones of civilization, as time goes by, this may also result in wiping off it's cultural identity and the cultural affiliation to it. The study recommends that upgrading housing use within the historic city, is one of the most important factors, not only to save the old city alive, but also to revive the cultural values associated with the our cultural heritage and national identity, that could be achieved by applying various programs among people to support them, promote their living conditions, raise their awareness , and strengthen their national affiliation, that will also lead to arresting the decline in the historic monuments which are closely linked not only to the people own civilization but also to their historic rights in this land .