Defining and Enhancing Place-Identity in Historic Cities: Embracing heritage, conflict, and globalisation in Erbil, Iraq
Throughout history, war has caused fundamental political, economic, and social transformations around the world, spatially impacting urban form. This is further compounded during post-war reconstruction by global influences that have played a strong role in re-shaping urban form and distinctive place-identity of unique historical landscapes. One recent example is the case of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region of Iraq. After decades of war and ethnic repression, the area is now experiencing a period of political and economic stability, intensified post-war reconstruction and rapid urbanisation. While the city has global aspirations to become a modern capital of an emerging nation it also desires to proudly represent its historic roots and identity through strong ties to its Citadel, a UNESCO listed heritage site. The inter-linkages between war, rapid urbanisation, and increased globalization presents a unique set of challenges in Erbil related to the struggle to balance history and identity with the demand for modernisation. This research therefore, aims to develop a methodology, theoretical propositions and appropriate urban design guidelines to enhance place-identity through urban development process in historic cities that face rapid and globally influenced post-war urban interventions with a particular focus on Erbil, Iraq. The conceptual framework developed for this study links key literature on place-identity with the challenges of protecting heritage while adapting to globalisation in emerging nations. The research method integrated qualitative, morphological, and inquiry-by-design approaches at different scales. A case study of three periodical neighbourhoods in Erbil was used to identify key characteristics that shape and transform urban form through the context of place-identity. Key informant interviews with local residents, policy makers, and other stakeholders assisted to identify how place-identity can be maintained, adapted, and incorporated into the future development of the city. Finally, an inquiry-by-design approach was used to develop urban design guidelines and propositions for enhancing place-identity and test their appropriateness with key stakeholders in Erbil. The research revealed that the post-war urban development process has radically transformed the city’s urban fabric in both historic and contemporary areas. To this end, findings show that globalised design patterns tend to dominate, ignoring, for the most part, the historic morphological traces the city has acquired through centuries. Consequently, the post-war urban transformation has re-shaped Erbil’s unique placeidentity into a collage of different neighbourhood identities. The findings also show that the urban development process is politically driven in order to accommodate global aspirations of a newly emerging nation with a focus on distinct economic ideologies. Therefore, enhancing place-identity in such a complex and politicised context requires planning and urban design recommendations at a regional and city level to guide future urban interventions that strengthen place-identity. Finally, the research finds that enhancing place-identity within the urban development process will provide historical continuity in the morphological traces of the city and a transitional shift that is reflective of changes in modern Erbili society as the city grows and adapts to an increasingly connected world.
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