scholarly journals A Cultural Heritage Framework for Preserving Qatari Vernacular Domestic Architecture

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7295
Author(s):  
Asmaa AL-Mohannadi ◽  
Raffaello Furlan ◽  
Mark David Major
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Gender Segregation ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Domestic Architecture ◽  
Spatial Form ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Residential Architecture

Architecture and urbanism in the Arabian Gulf region, and specifically in the State of Qatar, offer many scenes to observe the loss of urban identity and cultural heritage in the various components of the built environment, including residential architecture. Many people attribute this to rapid development in globalization and the adoption of Western standardization in planning and design practice. Conversely, in the field of architectural sociology, scholars argue that socio-cultural factors such as privacy, gender segregation, and hospitality are the important variables for determining the spatial form of Islamic residential architecture. This research study aims to investigate the degree to which the shaping of the spatial form in a sample of Qatari vernacular courtyard houses embeds socio-cultural factors based on morphological analysis of human behavior and activities in domestic space. The study utilizes space syntax analysis to explore the spatial connectivity of four Qatari vernacular courtyard houses related to domestic functions as a realization of inhabitants’ system of activities and a manifestation of culture as a way of life. The study’s findings shed light on the spatial formation of Qatari vernacular courtyard houses as a realization of socio-cultural imperatives, thus reflecting the essence of societal formation in the domestic architecture of old Qatari settlements. The insights from this research study can help to contribute to a cultural heritage-framework for the preservation of distinctive Qatari Vernacular Residential Architecture based on the analytical criteria of housing spatial form, socio-cultural factors, and the interrelation between both.

scholarly journals THE PRACTICE OF CITY PLANNING AND DESIGN IN THE GULF REGION: THE CASE OF ABU DHABI, DOHA AND MANAMA

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asmaa Saleh AL-Mohannadi ◽  
Raffaello Furlan
Keyword(s):  
Urban Development ◽  
City Planning ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Abu Dhabi ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Planning Practice ◽  
Capital Cities ◽  
Planning And Design ◽  
Arabian Gulf Region

This research study explores the Arabian Gulf region’s practice of city planning and design in response to the active forces of globalization. The focused scope of analysis is justified by the commonalities that unite the Arabian Gulf region, among them is the active response to globalization and the rapid urbanization process. Following the coverage of the regional context, an investigation of the city planning and design is presented in the study as a case study approach. Three coastal Arabian Gulf capitals -Abu Dhabi, Doha and Manama- are selected as primary units of analysis, investigating their urban evolution, the recent planning practice and urban development vision. The aim of the research study is to establish a theoretical connection between Gulf cities relying on their commonalities. The hypothesis assumes globalization to create a common urban planning practice based on (A) geopolitical facts, (B) historical evolution of urbanism and (C) the recent urban development trends that shape Gulf capital cities. The findings reveal that the urban practice in the Gulf region has been constantly altered in response to global challenges. New trends of megaprojects and international planning are dominating the urban development and growth of Gulf capital cities, where the knowledge of international expertise is flowing into the local planning practice. Therefore, the future of the urbanism is expected to focus on comprehensiveness, master-planning in the national scale, as well as establishing a regional interconnection as a strategic development vision unifying the whole Arabian Gulf region.

Iraq's alternatives in light of the challenges surrounding the security of the Arabian Gulf: the challenges of security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

2020 ◽  
pp. 221
Author(s):  
Amer Hassan Thabit
Keyword(s):  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Regional Conflicts ◽  
Regional Conflict ◽  
Political Events ◽  
Strait Of Hormuz ◽  
Maritime Navigation ◽  
Arab Gulf ◽  
Multiple Challenges ◽  
The Persian Gulf

The Arab Gulf region in particular, and with it the entire Arab region in general, is witnessing multiple challenges and conflicts, escalating, in a way that reflects the presence of overlapping in the dimensions: internal, regional and international, which imposes important effects on Iraq. Iraq is part of the Arab Gulf region, and it interferes with it: historically, geographically, ethnically, and politically. It cannot be overlooked that Iraq was in historical stages that was considered the dominant force in this region, especially in the stage of the civilization’s dominance before the role of Iraq and its place in civilization declines. Today, the region is witnessing multiple challenges, which began with the escalation of regional sectarian political events associated with the event of the occupation of Iraq, with a tendency to disturb the regional balance due to the dismantling of the capabilities of Iraq, and the matter came to the loosening of regional conflicts due to what the region is going through, and the perspective of the active forces in it, which has overcome the perspective The struggle for cooperation. The entry or presence of the international worker in the regional conflicts in the Arab Gulf region caused the intensity of the conflicts to multiply instead of settling them, and Iran has presented on more than one occasion that it has the capabilities to implement the option of closing the Strait of Hormuz or impeding the freedom and safety of maritime navigation in international waters in the Arabian Gulf, And the matter was not related to the US sanctions regime on Iran in the year 2018 and beyond, but it is before it.     The Iranian threat to close the Strait of Hormuz at the very least, or any development in the regional conflict in the region, can damage the interests of Iraq and its security, for two reasons: First, most of Iraq’s trade passes through the waters of the Persian Gulf, and the second is that there is an overlap between Iraq and peoples and countries The region, and just as sectarianism moved from Iraq to the region after 2003, the Gulf conflict and tension can move into Iraq or affect Iraq’s policy. Iraq should search for political alternatives that help it in dealing with the developments of the conflict in the Arab Gulf region. Perhaps this research presents some of the options and alternatives that can help the Iraqi decision-maker, if there is an important development in the Gulf-Western conflict with Iran

Branding of Germany’s Transnational Education and its Potentials in the Arabian Gulf Region

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanaa Ashour
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Transnational Education ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Demand For Education ◽  
Financial Gain ◽  
Arabian Gulf Region ◽  
Global Demand ◽  
Foreign Education

Transnational education (TNE), responding to the growing global demand for education, plays a fundamental role in the current debate on the internationalisation and globalisation of higher education. Conducting a systematic literature review, this paper examines the characteristics of German transnational education, which has little in common with the American and British models, the reasons for its limited presence in the Gulf and its potential for having a stronger footprint. Since education for Germany is a public good, financial gain has never been a decisive factor for German universities to venture abroad. Whilst the Gulf Region is the largest importer of foreign education, German TNE is only represented by one university there, compared to the overwhelming number of US, UK and Australian higher education institutions. Although the Gulf Region is considered as a lucrative and appealing market for foreign education, lack of engagement of German TNE there could be interpreted through public policy-related reasons. Since Germany has already established its footprint in creating a unique brand of TNE, the paper recommends to build upon the country’s expertise in low-risk option for Germany to invest in the Gulf. For this to materialise, Germany must build awareness of its unique brand to stand out among the competition. 

Unearthing Houses in Porphyreon and Chhim. Structure, Spatial Development, and Decoration of Domestic Spaces in Late Antique Phoenicia

2020 ◽  
pp. 173-195
Author(s):  
Tomasz Waliszewski ◽  
Julia Burdajewicz
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Late Antiquity ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Wall Painting ◽  
Domestic Architecture ◽  
Functional Study ◽  
Late Antique ◽  
Rural Settlements ◽  
Domestic Spaces ◽  
Residential Architecture

Porphyreon (Jiyeh/Nebi Younis) and Chhim were large rural settlements situated on the coast of modernday Lebanon, north of the Phoenician city of Sidon. As attested by the remains of residential architecture, they were thriving during the Roman Period and late Antiquity (1st–7th centuries AD). This article presents the preliminary observations on the domestic architecture uncovered at both sites, their spatial and social structure, as well as their furnishing and decoration, based on the fieldwork carried out in recent years by the joint PolishLebanese research team. The focus will be put on the wall painting fragments found in considerable numbers in Porphyreon. The iconographical and functional study of the paintings betrays to what extent the inhabitants of rural settlements in the coastal zone of the Levant were inclined to imitate the decoration of the urban houses known to them from the nearby towns, such as Berytus, but also from religious contexts represented by churches.

Fragmentation as a Challenge: Tribal and Sectrarian Identities in the Middle East

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-85
Author(s):  
Kleanthis Kyriakidis
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
The State ◽  
Islamic Revolution ◽  
Direct Response ◽  
Tribal Identity ◽  
Gulf States ◽  
The Ideal

In the Arabian Gulf two identities can be really considered almost as important as the national one: the tribal and the sectarian ones. Someone should expect that the reinforcement of these identities is a direct response to inequality and processes of exclusion. Furthermore, parochial tribalism is expected to arise as the protector of cultural heritage, especially in a region where the ex-pats vastly outnumber the locals. Nonetheless, both statements are far from truth. In this paper we will analyze how in the Gulf, sectarian identity came to play a significant role only after the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran and it keeps on surviving through mainly instigations and Iranian propaganda, provocations and support. It should be noted that Sunni identity has been allegedly subjugated in other Middle East States (mainly in Syria and Iraq) but in the Gulf the sectarian challenge stems from the Shia communities, openly supported by Tehran. Strangely enough, the tribal identity does not pose that much of a challenge, since tribes are more the friend than the enemy of all Gulf States. Actually, these countries could not have survived without the loyalty and commitment of the tribes not only to the Royal families but also to the idea of the State and the ideal of the Nation – and Gulf Nations do protect their cultural heritage. Keywords: Gulf, Globalization, Fragmentation, Sectarianism, Tribalism

scholarly journals Study on the Urban Fringe Based on the Expansion–Shrinking Dynamic Pattern

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5718
Author(s):  
Changqing Sui ◽  
Wei Lu
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Urban Planning ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Urban Fringe ◽  
Spatial Form ◽  
Architectural Form ◽  
Ecological Protection

The urban fringe, as a part of an urban spatial form, plays a considerably major role in urban expansion and shrinking. After decades of rapid development, Chinese cities have advanced from a simple expansion stage to an expansion–shrinking-coexistence stage. In urban shrinking and expansion, the urban fringe shows different characteristics and requirements for specific aspects such as urban planning, land use, urban landscape, ecological protection, and architectural form, thereby forming expanding and shrinking urban fringes. A comprehensive study of expanding and shrinking urban fringes and their patterns is theoretically significant for urban planning, land use, planning management, and ecological civilisation construction.

Protection and Development of Historical and Cultural Towns and Villages

2012 ◽  
Vol 174-177 ◽  
pp. 2201-2204
Author(s):  
Ying Peng ◽  
Hui Xian Jia ◽  
Xue Qin Jiao
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Cultural Value ◽  
Contemporary Society

The current rapid development of economy and society continue to impact the cultural heritage of the historical and cultural towns and villages. We must take measures of protection and development to make continuous sublimation for its resources of historical and cultural value in contemporary society.

scholarly journals The Yannarie Solar Project: Design of a Solar Saltfield in Western Australia to Safeguard the Natural Environment

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-18
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
State Government ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Marine Fauna ◽  
Solar Salt ◽  
Exmouth Gulf ◽  
Salt Industry

The Northwest Coast of Western Australia is the location for a number of large solar saltfields. More than 10 million tonnes of high grade solar salt is exported annually from these saltfields; predominantly servicing the chloralkali industries of Northern and Southeast Asia. Straits Resources Limited is a mining company with operations in Australia and Indonesia. It has identified the solar salt industry as an opportunity to diversify its resource portfolio and build a longer-term position within the resource sector. Access has been approved by the Government of Western Australia to a large area in the eastern Exmouth Gulf region of Western Australia suitable for a solar saltfield with an ultimate capacity as high as 10 million tonnes per annum. All new resources projects in Australia must proceed through a rigorous environmental approval process at both the Federal (Commonwealth) and State Government levels. Straits commissioned a team of saltfield design, environmental and engineering consultants to design an economically viable saltfield that minimises impacts to the environment. There has been a series of iterative changes in its design based on feedback from environmental and cultural heritage studies. This has enabled the saltfield to be specifically located within a defined footprint to avoid sensitive areas such as mangroves, tidal creeks and algal mats. Comprehensive studies have been undertaken on the local marine and terrestrial flora and fauna (including migratory bird and marine fauna), together with surveys for cultural heritage, soils, hydrology and a sweep of other parameters including hydrodynamic modelling of the marine environment. A commercial trawling fishing industry operates in the waters of Exmouth Gulf that is also the permanent home or on the migratory path of a number of significant marine fauna, including whales, turtles, and dugongs. The project, known as the Yannarie Solar Project, is progressing through the environmental approval processes of the Australian Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments. The conclusion is that the technical findings of the suite of studies that examined the environmental aspects of the engineering requirements of the saltfield provide a sound basis for project approval. Assuming that approval is given, and the current schedule maintained, construction would commence in 2008 and shipments of salt in 2011.

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