Publications
The Mediterranean Medinas and Cities in the Middle Ages: Urban Heritage, Jurisprudence, Traditions, and Built Form
Medieval Mediterranean medinas, including the Medina of Sousse, represent a unique blend of urban heritage, jurisprudence, and architectural traditions. Research reveals that these cities were not only centers of trade and culture but also hubs for legal development, with their built forms reflecting intricate social and religious practices. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, analyzing historical documents, architectural patterns, and legal texts to uncover the complexities of urban life in the region during the Middle Ages. By integrating these elements, the research provides new insights into the evolution of Mediterranean cities, highlighting their enduring influence on modern urban landscapes.
İslâm Şehir Tarihinde Sûse (Fâtımîlerin Mısır’a İntikaline Kadar)
Sousse, located on the Mediterranean coast of central Tunisia, emerges as a pivotal city in North African history, particularly during the Ahlabid and Fatimid dynasties. This study reveals that Sousse's strategic location, fortified infrastructure, and economic vitality—spanning maritime power, trade, and cultural influence—positioned it as one of the most significant cities in Ifriqiya (modern-day Tunisia). Unlike previous assumptions, Sousse maintained its prominence even after the rise of Fatimid capital cities like Mahdia and Mansuriya, serving as a bulwark against invasions and a linchpin for regional trade and naval dominance. The research synthesizes historical sources, including geography, chronicles, and travelogues, alongside modern studies to demonstrate Sousse's enduring political, military, economic, and cultural impact until the end of Fatimid rule in Egypt. This fills a critical gap in academic literature on North African urban history.
Varias observaciones sobre el yacimiento arqueológico conocido como "Maison des/aux Banquettes" en Susa (Túnez)
Archaeological research on the 'Maison des/aux Banquettes' site in Sousse, Tunisia, reveals critical insights into its unique spatial arrangement and significance within the ancient city of Hadrumetum. Despite being discovered in 1968, this site remains understudied and overlooked, both by the public and authorities, exacerbating its deteriorating condition. The study highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts, as the site is located in the buffer zone of the UNESCO-listed Medina of Sousse. It also underscores the broader threat posed by urban expansion and globalization to the city's archaeological heritage, emphasizing the lack of governmental response to these pressures.
Assessment of residential settlement planning in Medina, based on climate adaptability
Traditional urban morphology in the Medina of Sousse demonstrates remarkable climate adaptability, particularly in promoting natural ventilation, solar gain, and thermal comfort control. The study reveals that grouped houses arranged in linear blocks with courtyards are highly effective in semi-arid climates, reducing heat loss through exterior envelopes while maintaining comfortable indoor and outdoor environments, especially during summer months. This ancient urban planning model serves as a low-energy, low-carbon prototype for sustainable housing solutions. By analyzing design strategies such as daylighting and natural ventilation conditions, researchers provide insights that can guide future urban planners in preserving heritage while optimizing climate responsiveness.
Developing a Qualitative Urban Green Spaces Index Applied to a Mediterranean City
A new Urban Green Space Quality Index (UGS QIndex) reveals that Bab El Gharbi garden in Sousse's Ramparts Gardens outperforms Bab El Finga garden in terms of scenery, aesthetics, and functionality. This index, designed to assess UGS quality in Mediterranean cities, integrates 41 elements across seven thematic criteria—environmental regulating capacity, functional amenities, aesthetic amenities, landscape features, integration with surroundings, development policy objectives, and space issues. The study highlights Bab El Gharbi's superior attributes while providing a tool for city planners to enhance UGSs to better meet inhabitants' needs. Although the index requires further refinement and tailoring for diverse UGS types, it offers a promising framework for improving urban green spaces in Mediterranean and degraded cities alike.
La fripisation de la Hafsia : une contre-histoire d’un projet de rénovation urbaine à Tunis
A significant urban transformation in the Medina of Sousse, Tunisia, has been driven by the rapid expansion of second-hand clothing (fripe) markets post-2011 revolution. Contrary to official narratives, these markets, often perceived as illicit and associated with rural migrants, have played a pivotal role in reshaping urban space. The study reveals that the Hafsia district, originally planned for residential use, was inadvertently transformed into a specialized commercial hub through the spontaneous actions of fripe traders. This 'counter-history' emerged from an in-depth analysis of negotiations between these traders, local authorities, and other urban actors, highlighting how informal economic activities can profoundly influence large-scale urban development projects. The research underscores the importance of recognizing the agency of marginalized groups in urban planning processes.
Tourism in the city of Sousse, Tunisia: evolution, crisis and regenerative development
Mass seaside tourism in Sousse, Tunisia, has undergone significant transformation since the 1960s–70s, marked by crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The study reveals a shift from traditional coastal tourism to innovative forms like luxury urban and health tourism, alongside urban regeneration efforts. Initially driven by the El Kantaoui resort, which redefined Sousse's centrality, the sector now faces challenges that have spurred new development models. Researchers employed statistics and fieldwork to analyze these changes, highlighting how economic disruptions are reshaping Tunisia's coastal tourism landscape.
Green and blue infrastructure design in a semi-arid region
A novel Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) design methodology for the semi-arid Sousse region, Tunisia, was developed to enhance biodiversity conservation by maintaining ecological connectivity. The approach identified key habitats—forest, semi-open, and wetland—and mapped potential corridors using GIS-based buffer analysis around reference species (Cape hare, North African Hedgehog, Marbled Teal) with dispersal distances of 200–300 meters. Fragmentation zones near roads and urban areas were also assessed to prioritize conservation efforts. The resulting GBI map connects biodiversity reservoirs through ecological corridors, offering a scalable model for Tunisia’s sustainable development. This study marks the first application of such methodology in the country.
Reconversion du tribunal religieux « Dar Echaraa » dans la médina de Sousse (Tunisie) en un espace culturel contemporain
Dar Echaraa, a 17th-century religious tribunal in the Medina of Sousse, has undergone a remarkable transformation from a decaying judicial site to a thriving contemporary cultural hub. Once abandoned after Tunisia's secularization and legal reforms, this historic monument—characterized by its wide courtyard, ochre-stone walls, and intricate carvings—was restored through UNESCO-backed initiatives involving local and international collaborations. The study assesses the impacts of this requalification on the monument's heritage value and cultural significance. By comparing its former judicial function to its current role as a space for events, seminars, and leisure, the research highlights how architectural conversion has revitalized Dar Echaraa, turning it into a symbol of dynamic heritage preservation and community engagement.
Paisaje agrario en contextos periurbanos mediterráneos: el caso del Gran Sousse (Túnez)
Agricultural landscapes in periurban Mediterranean contexts, such as the Gran Sousse region in Tunisia, face significant pressures from urbanization and development, threatening their sustainability. This study demonstrates that landscape character assessment can serve as a systematic tool to identify, characterize, and promote these fragile agricultural areas. By analyzing the diversity of Agricultural Periurban Landscape Areas (APAP) through their unique features and historical functioning, researchers propose an infrastructure green project aimed at conflict resolution. This model strengthens local food production while fostering community participation and governance, addressing both ecological and social needs in periurban Tunisia.
Assessment of the Overtourism Phenomenon Risk in Tunisia in Relation to the Tourism Area Life Cycle Concept
Tunisia faces significant overtourism risks, particularly in governorates such as Tunis, Sousse, and Monastir. A study analyzing Tunisia's tourism development from 1960 to 2019 using the Tourism Area Life Cycle concept identified three phases: exploration, involvement, and development. Projections suggest Tunisia will enter a consolidation phase by 2020, heightening concerns about overtourism. The research employed trend function analysis and assessed tourism intensity and density indices to evaluate these risks. This study highlights the urgent need for sustainable development strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of overtourism in Tunisia, especially as it becomes one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.
Evaluation of Meskat System Functionality as Water Harvesting at Wadi Hamdoun Watershed (Sousse, Tunisia) Using the Geographic Information System
A significant decline in the functionality of the traditional Meskat water harvesting system in Tunisia's Wadi Hamdoun watershed has been attributed to urban expansion, road densification, and improper land use practices. The study, utilizing GIS analysis and field investigations, identified that urbanization in sub-basins like Wadi Ed Diq (1.86 km²) and Wadi Haj Abid (1.05 km²), along with olive planting in impluviums (Borjin Sub-catchment: 0.81 km²; Bellani Wadi Sub-basin: 0.56 km²), has disrupted the system's performance. Additionally, the destruction of Mankaas structures in Hmadet El Borijin and Wadi Bin Shahed sub-basins (0.77 km² and 0.66 km² respectively) further exacerbates its inefficiency. These findings highlight the critical need for preserving traditional water conservation techniques amid rapid urbanization.
Recherches sur la résurgence du vocabulaire sémitique dans le langage religieux des provinces romaines d'Afrique : le cas du terme moctor
A recent analysis of a Latin inscription from the Medina of Sousse, Tunisia, reveals the resurgence of Semitic religious vocabulary in Roman Africa. The term moctor, identified as an unprecedented clerical function, is traced to the Semitic root KTR/QTR, meaning 'offering incense.' This finding suggests a cultural continuity between Phoenicio-Punic traditions and Roman religious practices in North Africa, particularly in cities with deep Phoenician roots. The study supports broader evidence of Semitic linguistic influence persisting in Roman provincial contexts, underscoring the enduring impact of ancient Near Eastern cults on local religious language.
Security in Monastir and the Sahel
Tunisia's approach to security in the Sahel, exemplified by fortified medina walls and ribats, is evolving to address 21st-century challenges. The study highlights a shift toward investing in higher education, particularly in practical fields like medicine and science, as a strategy for national development and enhanced security. While traditional defense structures remain prominent, modern threats such as terrorism have significantly impacted the region's tourism sector, with notable declines in hotel occupancy post-2001. This analysis underscores the need for adaptive security measures that balance historical defenses with contemporary economic and educational advancements.
La ville européenne de Sousse : naissance d’un paysage urbain
French colonial urban planning in Sousse, Tunisia, demonstrated a heightened sensitivity to landscape design compared to other North African cities. This study reveals how the colonizing power intentionally crafted Sousse's European cityscape through meticulous archival analysis and iconographic examination of maps, postcards, architectural plans, and historical photographs. The research identifies three key aspects: the establishment and growth of European cities in North Africa, the distinct characteristics of Sousse's urban landscape, and its symbiotic relationship with the historic medina. By contrasting Sousse with other colonial cities, the study underscores the unique emphasis on visual and spatial aesthetics during French occupation.
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