Publications
Adaptive Reuse for Traditional House from Historical Building of Old Sana'a City in Yemen
A study on the adaptive reuse of traditional houses in Yemen's Old City of Sana'a reveals significant improvements in both the physical structure of historic buildings and their surrounding urban areas. Despite its 2008 designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, research on this topic remains scarce. The study provides practical guidelines for adaptive reuse, aiming to preserve the cultural and social significance of these structures while enhancing their functionality. This approach offers a model for conserving architectural heritage in similar contexts.
Enhancing the Waterfronts of the Sayilah of Old Sana’a
Waterfronts in the Sayilah of Old Sana'a significantly contribute to the sustainability and enhancement of architectural heritage, fostering cultural awareness while improving urban quality of life. These waterfronts serve as a bridge between historical identity and contemporary needs, offering aesthetic and environmental benefits that strengthen the visual and functional interaction between the city and its heritage. An analytical case study approach revealed their potential for integrated preservation strategies, recommending policies to protect them from degradation and reactivate their role as vital environmental components within Old Sana'a's boundaries.
The Tower House Space Planning and Activities in Old City Sana’a Yemen
Yemeni traditional tower houses, characterized by their multi-storey design (4 to 7 floors), reflect a deep connection between space planning and daily activities of the local people. Each floor serves distinct functions, adapting to cultural practices and lifestyle needs. The study, conducted through observations, interviews, questionnaires, and measurements at Bait Abu Luhum in Sana'a's Old City, reveals how these architectural features align with Yemeni social behaviors, offering insights into heritage conservation and traditional urban planning.
Stratigraphic Sequence and Structural Evolution of the Sana'a Basin
The Sana'a basin, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Old City of Sana'a, exhibits a complex stratigraphic sequence spanning from Precambrian to Recent periods, with significant tectonic activity shaping its structural evolution. Key findings reveal that the basin formed during the Jurassic under inherited N-S structural control and experienced multiple phases of uplift and subsidence, particularly during the Jurassic, Cretaceous, Tertiary, and Quaternary periods. Field studies highlight a compression stage in the Paleocene forming an anticline, followed by extensional faulting creating half grabens like Wadi Dhahr and Haddah. The Tertiary period saw intense volcanic activity, particularly in the southern basin, contributing to the formation of the Yemen Plateau and reactivating major tectonic trends with volcanic dykes filling fractures. Quaternary volcanic activity introduced additional plugs and cones into older rock units. This research integrates sedimentary and structural analysis to elucidate the dynamic geological history of the Sana'a basin.
An Approach for Preserving Ottoman Cultural Heritage Under Threat in Yemen: A Case Study " The Old City of Sana'a"
Yemen's Old City of Sana'a faces severe threats to its Ottoman-era cultural heritage due to conflict. A study proposes a preservation approach based on the European Standard (EN 16096:2012) to assess war damage and develop conservation strategies for at-risk structures. The research focuses on 28 Ottoman establishments in Sana'a, with 21 still standing and seven destroyed, highlighting the broader impact on Yemen's historical sites. This method offers a structured framework for safeguarding cultural heritage under adversity.
Analysis of the Public Space in the Old Sana'a City
A balanced distribution of public spaces and buildings in the Old City of Sana'a enhances urban comfort, social interaction, and cultural activities. This study highlights how narrow, curved streets provide shade and reduce temperatures, contributing to improved climate conditions among residential neighborhoods. The research also notes the diversity of functions within these public spaces, which cater to the needs of residents while raising economic and social levels. Analytical and descriptive methodologies were employed to reach these conclusions.
“This Most Reluctant of Romantic Cities” Dis-location Film Shooting in the Old City of Sana’a
Film festivals, including the European Film Festival held in Sana'a, Yemen, serve as platforms for cultural exchange and promotion of national cinema. The 2005 festival marked a significant milestone with the debut of Yemen's first feature-length film, 'A New Day in Old Sana'a,' directed by Bader Ben Steven. This study examines the intersection of film production and heritage preservation, highlighting the challenges and complexities of shooting films in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Old City of Sana'a. The research explores the impact of such events on local communities and the conservation of historical sites, using qualitative methods including participant observation and analysis of festival programming.
Investigating the Applicability of Sustainable Urban Form and Design to Traditional Cities, Case Study: The Old City of Sana'a
Traditional urban layouts, exemplified by the Old City of Sana'a, demonstrate superior sustainability compared to modern designs. A study applying principles of form and density, walkability and connectivity, and building energy found that traditional cities excel in compactness, intersection rates, and solar access. Using GIS, ECOTECT, and Space Syntax modeling, researchers confirmed that older urban forms provide higher integration, fewer angular changes, and optimal solar exposure year-round. These findings underscore the potential of historical urban planning as a model for sustainable development.
Reviving the heritage of the old city of Sana'a in the shop design
The Old City of Sana'a, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, faces significant challenges due to architectural and design irregularities that threaten its heritage status. A study by Imam et al. (2018) highlights the urgent need for reviving traditional shop designs within the city to preserve its unique character. The research focuses on integrating modern commercial practices with historical aesthetics, aiming to restore the city's original charm while addressing contemporary demands. Using a combination of architectural analysis and design interventions, the study proposes innovative solutions to maintain Sana'a's cultural identity, ensuring it meets UNESCO's criteria for heritage conservation. This approach balances functionality with authenticity, offering a model for other historic urban centers.
Traditional Neighborhood Adaptive Reuse in the Old City Sana'a, Yemen
Adaptive reuse of traditional neighborhoods (Haras) in Sana'a's Old City has shown mixed outcomes, with economic benefits for residents and the revival of traditional handicrafts. However, increased vehicular accessibility and the conversion of public spaces into parking areas have disrupted resident privacy, particularly affecting women, who have retreated indoors. The study, conducted through on-site spatial observations, measurements, and structured interviews in Hara Al-Abhar, highlights these trade-offs, offering insights for balancing development with cultural preservation in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Adaptive Reuse in the Traditional Neighbourhood of the Old City Sana’a -Yemen
Adaptive reuse in Sana'a's traditional neighborhoods, such as Hara Al-Abhar, has shown mixed outcomes. While it boosts household income and revitalizes local handicrafts, increased vehicular access and the conversion of public spaces into parking areas disrupt residents' privacy, particularly for women, who retreat indoors. The study employed on-site spatial observations, measurements, and structured interviews to assess these impacts, revealing a complex balance between economic benefits and social consequences in preserving the cultural heritage of Yemen's Old City.
The Influence of Changing Human Aspects on Plaza Spaces in Old Sana'a City
Plaza spaces in Old Sana'a City, once vibrant hubs of social, economic, and cultural activity, have lost their significance due to changing human aspects. The study identifies key factors such as immigration, cultural and economic opening, technological progress post-1962 revolution, and republican regime influence that contributed to the decline of these spaces. The research proposes revitalizing plazas by enhancing traditional social and cultural values and introducing sustainable activities. An inferring analytical methodology was used to analyze plaza types, functions, human roles, major changes, and potential solutions for revival.
On Structural Features of the Old City of Sana'a, Yemen
The Old City of Sana'a exhibits distinct structural features within its traditional neighborhood units known as harat. Comprising 56 harat, each contains key elements such as mosques, maqushama (green fields), houses, streets, and sharhat (small open squares). This study reveals how modernization, including the installation of water supply and sewerage systems, has significantly altered these traditional units politically, socially, and physically. The research highlights the impact of such changes on Sana'a's historic environment, emphasizing the need to preserve its unique urban fabric while adapting to contemporary demands.
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