Promoting the Cultural and Urban Identity of the Holy Cities: The Case Study of Al-Najaf, Iraq

Alhilo, Intisar; Al-Baghdadi, Abdu Al-Sahib

doi:10.63463/kjes1052

	Promoting the Cultural and Urban Identity of the Holy Cities: The Case Study of Al-Najaf, Iraq
Kerbala Journal for Engineering Sciences (KJES)
Article 1, Volume 2, Issue 4, 2022, Pages 192-208 PDF (570.87 K)
Document Type: Research Article
DOI: 10.63463/kjes1052
Authors
Intisar Alhilo^* ; Abdu Al-Sahib Al-Baghdadi
College of Urban Planning, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq
Abstract
One of the essential foundations that help strengthen the cultural identity of holy cities cultural identity is to preserve their physical and cultural components, tangible and intangible, that distinguish them from other cities. It was introduced as a temporary or permanent case to address some service aspects in the holy cities, which made the city lose the architectural features that distinguish it—losing the place''s spirituality and the city''s memory. The study examines the main reasons that led to losing cities'' identity by introducing renewal projects as a temporary or permanent situation to address some aspects of the service in the holy cities. Thus, losing the place''s spirituality and the town''s memory. The research aimed to preserve the identity of the sacred cities by setting standards for development projects that should respect the specificity of Najafi architecture. The research results were calculated based on the principles of urban sustainability. One of the most critical conservation criteria is to know the quality of the implemented and proposed projects through field surveys and studies dealing with these projects. The research came up with several recommendations. First, preserve the architectural elements that characterize Najafi architecture. Second, Respect the context and not deviate from it. Third, knowing the model and standards for renovation and restoration projects, the original model must be simulated. The research came out with several recommendations, including Preserving the architectural elements that characterize Najafi architecture, Respecting the context, and Knowing the model and standard in renovation and restoration projects. The research came up with several recommendations. First, preserve the architectural elements that characterize Najafi architecture. Second, Respect the context and not deviate from it. Third, knowing the model and standards for renovation and restoration projects, the original model must be simulated. By dividing the research into several parts, it dealt with clarifying the most important planning and design foundations that preserve the heritage values of the ancient cities by reviewing the essential foundations for planning in Islamic cities, which led to formal formations of the main landmarks with certain characteristics that reflected the nature of life in Islamic cities through their relations with each other. While the other parts dealt with the study of urban development projects in the old city and subjecting them to the most important standards of urban sustainability, and then verifying whether these projects are considered under urban sustainability.
Keywords
Cultural identity; Urban identity; Holy cities; Al-Najaf; Al-Ashraf

References
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