Design Criteria for Historic Fortresses Buildings in Iraq (Case Study Kirkuk Fortress )

	Design Criteria for Historic Fortresses Buildings in Iraq (Case Study Kirkuk Fortress )
Journal of Engineering
Article 1, Volume 16, Issue 4, 2010, Pages 1012-1033
Abstract
Historic fortresses are providing us with an immediate point of contact with old ages, are giving us different images because of different times and places, they are like materialistic messages from past generations to the present with a contemporary protect thought in order to be a motivation for present creative works, which were built to take military, political, social and economic role, to serve a whole variety of purposes this is what makes fortresses as specific architectural units, so the research concentrated on historic fortresses in Iraq and studied its architectural landmarks and design criteria, therefore the problem is appointed by little studies related to fortresses, and how should be developed, the aims of research are: studying of fortresses, their types besides security defensive concepts, finding out characteristic samples of local experiences in dealing with the fortified fortresses. This fact gave the author motivation to lay ground for a practical method and updated study to give Life to the urban and architectural existences in Kirkuk fortress. Fortresses are large fortified buildings or group of buildings usually dominating the surrounding country or a stronghold converted to different uses like cultural, social, residential and tourist activities, or a site of ancient earthworks. There are many classification of fortresses that depend on several factors like: pattern, historical way, time, region, …etc Most of fortresses have defensive fortified factors like: fortified elements, strategic site, physical shape and construction More care and attention should be devoted to such monuments like fortresses, whether single buildings or urban agglomerations because of their present state are a source of environmental pollution rather than focal points of interest and attraction. Iraq is especially wealthy in historic fortresses, a fact that calls for continuous and serious efforts to bring it to its active state, so that it may not remain as neglected and useless. According to the above facts, the research is oriented to historic fortresses in Iraq especially Kirkuk fortress, as it is very rich in its historic and traditional buildings and urban configurations. Although several studies were conducted to bring up the dilapidated state of Kirkuk fortress up to the accepted operational active state of construction, but very little was actually done to bring the plans into action. This reality was one of the main motives to orient this research to this location, especially that the germs of dilapidation are still effecting what remains of its heritage, whether because of war devastation, theft, or neglecting. Although there are few studies related to the reconstruction of Kirkuk fortress it remains as a superficial and outdated to be a real and effective solution to the present state of the fortress. This fact led the author to verbal proposals and suggestive planning ideas for the physical development in Kirkuk fortress. The proposal indicated the division of the fortress into three distinctive areas: Conservation area, Mixed area, and an area of new urban design. The research ended up with a proposal and recommendation to deal with such locations. The research focuses on the "Improvement of Kirkuk fortress based on its design criteria" in dealing with its three proposal distinctive areas: Conservation area, Mixed area, and an area of new urban design.

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